Pakistan vs Bangladesh: 5 key battles
As the focus shifts from India's humbling loss to New Zealand, to another cracking encounter between Bangladesh and Pakistan in Kolkata, there are bound be a lot of expectations of either side. Bangladesh is currently enjoying a rich vein of form, and has already defeated Pakistan in the recently concluded Asia Cup. Pakistan, meanwhile are struggling with their combination at the top of their order, but do possess a lethal bowling attack that can dismantle any opposition on any given day. Their captain Shahid Afridi is under a lot of pressure and exp[ect the mercurial team to come out throwing all the punches. This is a match-up between a rising team of the world and a team which has stagnated but is expected to do well on any given day. The likes of Mohammad Amir, Tamim Iqbal, Wahab Riaz, Shahid Afridi and Shakib-al-Hasan will fight hard and have the required skills to be successful at the top level. Expect a mouth-watering prospect.
#1 Mohammad Amir vs Tamim Iqbal
The resurgence of Tamim Iqbal has been the primary reason for the dominating performances of Bangladesh all throughout the group stages. Tamim has provided solid and belligerent starts to Bangladesh on all three occasions. He also became the first Bangladeshi batsman to score a century in T20I, when he slammed a ton against Oman. He has scores of 83, 47 and 103 in the three qualifying games, and if he continues this purple match, Pakistan are in for some trouble.
Pakistan, however, have an answer and that too a potent one in Mohammad Amir. Ever since Amir has made a comeback he has shown hat he is hungry for success and wants to make up for the lost time. Amir, with his pace and late swing has tormented batsman, and he will be one to watch out for. Creating awkward angles and reversing the ball at the death, makes Amir a complete package, and Tamim must guard against complacency especially when facing Amir.
It only takes one over in a spell in a T20 match to change a match completely, and if either of the two stamp their authority, their teams would have pulled away from the other. A battle to watch out for.