After winning the ODI series 3-0, Bangladesh would be eager to win their T20 game against Pakistan, as they face one another on Friday at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur.
Contrary to it, Pakistan are still looking for their first win in the series, but they would be upbeat with Shahid Afridi leading the side in the only T20 match of the series. The experienced Pakistani all rounder would not only strengthen, but also bring discipline in their performance, which has been below par.
The charismatic skipper would try to bring the best out of each and every Pakistani cricketer.
Despite Afridi's return, Pakistan might be deemed second favourites at Dhaka, especially after their thrashing in the ODI series. Bangladesh put up an emphatic performance against their South Asian neighbours, as they won the first three ODI's by 79 runs, 7 wickets and 8 wickets respectively.
Pakistan have been so poor that they even lost their match against Bangladesh cricket board XI prior to the ODI series.
But when it comes to T20, Pakistan are one of the strongest sides in world cricket, while Bangladesh have not played a T20 for a long time -- more than a year.
"We haven't played a T20 for a long time. But our recent performance has made us positive. It is hard to adjust to this format and we have just one day to do so. We have to set individual plans and targets within this time," Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza noted.
The Tigers does not even have an impressive record in this format having lost their last five T20 matches, while Pakistan have a relatively better record with two wins.
If one looks at Bangladesh's powerful display in the recently concluded ODI series, they have some amazing strikers of a cricket ball. Tamim Iqbal showed some glimpses of the past where he attacked the bowlers to the hilt, scoring two centuries in the first and second ODI each.
In the third ODI, Soumya Sarkar took the attack to the Pakistan bowlers, scoring a strokeful century, as he finished unbeaten on 127 runs off 110 balls.
Bangladesh might open their innings with Iqbal and Sarkar. Can the Pakistan bowlers contain them?
Another experienced bowler, Sohail Tanvir is also expected to feature in the T20 game. With Tanvir, the men in green have suddenly looked a dangerous bowling side with Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal.
The Pakistan captain feels they have a good combination.
"We have a very good combination in T20. I am very positive and confident that we will do well," Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi.
In the batting department, Pakistan would depend upon the services of Sarfraz Ahmed, Ahmed Shehzad, Haris Sohail amongst other batsmen.
Where to Watch Live
The T20 clash between Pakistan and Bangladesh is scheduled for 6:30 pm local time (6 pm IST, 5:30 pm PST, 1:30 pm BMT, 4:30 am ET) start with live TV coverage in India on Star Sports 1.
Pakistani viewers can watch the game live on PTV Sports and it can be followed online as well on Geo Super.
Bangladesh viewers can watch the match on Gazi TV, while cricket fans in the USA can watch the game live on Willow TV.
People in Europe can watch it live on Super Sport.
