Just when we thought Bangladeshis are learning the trick of handling pressure against the big guns of world cricket they have disappointed us again. If not a win there was a hope for stubborn resistance when Bangladesh faced Pakistan at their backyard in the T20 and ODI formats of the game. Pakistan looked a confident lot after beating Sri Lanka in their home series. Bangladesh had proved to be quite a force in their home turf in the recent series. So there was a battle on the cards. But that’s not how the series unfolded. It turned out to be a one sided contest without much thrills. Let us take a look at the games.
One-off T20 International, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, November 29, 2011
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| Mohammad Hafeez showed his al round skills to power Pakistan to victory |
The series started off with the one off T20. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first. There were 3 Pakistani batsmen reaching the twenties Mohammad Hafeez (25 of 31), Umar Akmal (20 of 14) and Misbah ul Haq (21 of 20). But Bangladeshi bowlers were able to keep a leash on Pakistani scoring. Pakistan made 135 for 7 in their allotted 20 overs. The total looked to be gettable. But Bangladesh made a disastrous start losing first 4 wickets for 17 runs. They never recovered from this early shock and were folded up for 85. Only Nassir Hossain (35 of 38) offered some resistance. Hafeez and Shoaib Malik claimed two wickets a piece.
1st ODI, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, December 1, 2011
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| Shahid Afridi dazzled with the willow and took wickets with the ball |
Mushfiqur Rahim the Bangladesh captain won the toss in this opening ODI of the series and he decided to bat first. Yet again Bangladesh suffered an early collapse. They had lost 4 wickets for 29 runs. They reached a meagre total of 91 in 30.3 overs. Nassir Hossain (21 of 40) was again the top scorer for Bangladesh while Shahid Afridi took 5 for 23 for Pakistan. Though the total looked easily achievable yet Pakistan lost 5 wickets in their chase to get to 93. Mohammad Hafeez (22 of 38) and Shahid Afridi (24 of 23) secured the victory for tourists.
2nd ODI, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, December 3, 2011
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| Nassir Hossain scored his maiden century and offered resistance |
In the second ODI Pakistan won the toss and they had no hesitation in batting first. Though there was no big contributions but Pakistan reached a total of 262 thanks to the bits a pieces contributions of Hafeez (32 of 56), Younis Khan (37 of 70), Misbah (37 of 55), Umar Akmal (59 of 54) and Shahid Afridi (42 of 27). For Bangladesh Shafiul Islam and Rubel Hossain got two wickets a piece.As was the trademark of Bangladesh batting in this series they lost 4 wickets for 19 yet again. But there was a great recovery thanks to Shakib Al Hasan (34 of 90) and Nasir Hossain (100 of 134). Nasir Hossain got his maiden century but it was to a losing cause. Bangladesh ended their innings at 186 for 7 and fell short by 76 runs. Umar Gul looked steady and picked up 4 for 36. Nassir Hossain was adjudged the Man of the Match for his innings. With a 2-0 lead Pakistan clinched the series with one match remaining.
3rd ODI, Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong, December 6, 2011
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| Final Bangladeshi wicket falls to Shoaib Malik |
This was an opportunity for Bangladesh to salvage some pride with the series already lost. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first. Pakistan yet again did not have any big contributions. Bits and pieces knocks by Misbah (47 of 89), Umar Akmal (57 of 84) and Younis Khan (26 of 38) helped them reach a total of 177. Willy Bangladeshi left arm spinner Abdur Razzaq took three for 21. So there was hope for Bangladesh to chase down an achievable score. Though they lost their first wicket early but Shahria Nafees (25 of 52) and Mahmudullah (35 of 73) staged a partnership. But once they fell there was little resistance and Bangladesh again folded up for 119. Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik starred with the ball and took 3 for 27 and 3 for 6 respectively. While Abdur Rehman and Saeed Ajmal got 2 wickets each.
It was an emphatic series win for Pakistan who next play against Bangladesh in the test series. For Bangladesh their bowling seemed good, but the batsmen failed the team with the exception of Nassir Hossain of course.
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