Bangladesh sych themselves against the buoyant Pakistan

The Cover Drive previews the encounter between Pakistan and Bangladesh in their 1st ODI in a difficult encounter for Bangladesh which will show how the team is currently progressing in stripping their underdog label.

Bangladesh had some good moments and showing good progress like their 8 wicket drubbing recently against West Indies by bowling them out for 61 and last year won themselves their first ever whitewash in Bangladesh cricket history against New Zealnad 4-0 as well as winning their Cricket World Cup encounter against England in front of their home fans. Yet, they don't have a good run in their home ground in Dhaka but have a superb run of games in Chittagong. Will they put amends to this statistic tomorrow?

To pile on the challenge for Bangladesh, their opponent are former Twenty20 champions, beaten Sri Lanka in the previous Test and ODI series and are gaining confidence whatever the obstacles. What Bangladesh is facing metaphorically is a battering ram. But their performance needs to be like a bull dozer of a performance of both bat and ball to show the world what they are made of. 

Pakistan shown even though that they have a low score with Bangladesh doing a good job with their bowling attack, they had the bowling attack to topple down and defend a score lower than 7 an over. Pakistan went into the attack early and the Bangladesh batsmen lost early wickets and couldn't get to 5th gear which is too accelerate.  You would think that this won't be possible but if they use their unique ability with their big hitters and their spin attack, they could pose a surprise. As shown in their last ODI match against West Indies, you mustn't rest your laurels on Bangladesh...

Team news

Bangladesh hope that Tamim Iqbal will be fit to play with the fitness test in the morning will be undertaken to see if his knee is all right for the ODI.

In the Pakistan camp, Shoaib Malik bad form (apart from his bowling) in the Twenty20 and the recent matches may bring Younis Khan back into the team.

Bangladesh possible squad:  1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Shahriar Nafees, 4 Shakib Al Hasan, 5 Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Naeem Islam, 8 Nasir Hossain, 9 Abdur Razzak, 10 Shafiul Islam, 11 Rubel Hossain

Pakistan possible squad: 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Imran Farhat, 3 Younis Khan, 4 Asad Shafiq, 5 Umar Akmal (wk), 6 Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Sohail Tanvir, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Aizaz Cheema.


Predictions: Pakistan will win this one by around 49-70 runs if Bangladesh are chasing or 4 or 5 wickets if Pakistan chase the target.