Bangladesh Cricket

Bangladesh moved closer to a World Cup quarter-final place as they chased down a big total to beat Scotland in their Pool A clash in Nelson on Thursday.

Tigers captain Mashrafe Mortaza won the toss and chose to field but then saw the Associate Nation make 318-7 in their 50 overs, powered by 156 from opener Kyle Coetzer.

			Runs	Minutes	Balls	4s	6s
Coetzer	c Sarkar	b Nasir Hossain	156	198	134	17	4
MacLeod	c Mahmudullah	b Mortaza	11	9	11	2	0
Gardiner	c Sarkar	b Taskin Ahmed	19	29	32	3	0
Machan	c and b Rahman		35	64	50	2	1
Mommsen	c Sarkar	b Nasir Hossain	39	82	38	2	1
Berrington	c Mushfiqur Rahim	b Taskin Ahmed	26	27	16	1	2
Cross	c Rahman	b Taskin Ahmed	20	21	14	1	1
Davey	not out		4	6	3	0	0
Haq	c Sarkar	b Shakib	1	2	3	0	0
Evans	not out		0		0	0	0
Extras		1nb 5w 0b 1lb	7
Bowler			Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Mortaza			8	0	60	1
Shakib			10	0	46	1
Taskin Ahmed			7	0	43	3
Rubel Hossain			8	0	60	0
Mahmudullah			5	0	29	0
Rahman			7	0	47	1
Nasir Hossain			5	0	32	2

However, they reached the total with 11 balls to spare to secure a six-wicket win that takes them to five points in the standings. A win against England in Adelaide on March 9 or against New Zealand four days later will see them reach the last eight.

			Runs	Minutes	Balls	4s	6s
Tamim Iqbal	lbw	b Davey	95	132	100	9	1
Sarkar	c Cross	b Davey	2	7	5	0	0
Mahmudullah		b Wardlaw	62	87	62	6	1
Mushfiqur Rahim	c MacLeod	b Evans	60	66	42	6	2
Shakib	not out		52	76	41	5	1
Rahman	not out		42	43	40	4	2
Extras		1nb 8w 0b 0lb	9
Bowler			Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Wardlaw			9.1	0	75	1
Davey			10	0	68	2
Evans			10	1	67	1
Machan			7	0	45	0
Haq			10	0	49	0
Berrington			2	0	18	0

Coetzer made the first century by a Scotland batsman at a World Cup off 103 balls which included 12 boundaries and two sixes.

He then accelerated to 150, the first by an Associate Nation player in a World Cup match, before departing in the 45th over when caught at deep mid-wicket off Nasir Hossain. Cricket Record shared some stats regarding "most 150+ scores in ODIs":

Most individual 150+ scores in ODIs:
India 19,
Aust/WI 14,
SAf 10,
SL 9,
NZ 6,
England 5,
Zimbabwe 4,
Pakistan 2,
B'desh/Ire/Scot 1.#CWC15

— Cricket Records (@cricinfo_record) March 4, 2015

The Northamptonshire man received solid middle-order support from Matt Machan (35) and Preston Mommsen (39), sharing a 141-run partnership for the fourth wicket with the latter. Cricket World Cup highlighted Scotland's record-setting performance:

Scotland end on 318-8 - the second highest team total by an Associate at the World Cup. Great effort! #BANvSCO pic.twitter.com/DI7zq0hVyg

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 5, 2015

The small ground has seen plenty of runs in the tournament so far, and that continued as, after the early loss of Soumya Sarkar, the Tigers went about their run chase.

Bangladesh fans start the conga line around Nelson as they celebrate the 150 coming up! #cwc15 https://t.co/xQvurDRtZS

— ICC (@ICC) March 5, 2015

Tamim Iqbal (95) and Mohammad Mahmudullah (62) put on 139 for the second wicket, and Mushfiqur Rahim made 60 from just 42 balls to reduce the run rate to less than one per ball. Cricket World Cup pointed out that Iqbal currently has the highest score by a Bangladesh player:

Tamim Iqbal moves to 88 and that's the top score by a #BAN batsman at the World Cup! http://t.co/PHHxjkHKdp #BANvSCO pic.twitter.com/wXFPDznoGN

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 5, 2015

Rahim’s departure left Bangladesh needing 72 off the final 12 overs if they were to maintain their perfect record against Scotland, though their last completed encounter was in 2006. Based on their losing track record, statistician Mohandas Menon pondered the question of whether Scotland could get their first win:

Can the Scots win their first ever World Cup match after losing all their 11 games spanning three WCs (1999, 2007, 2015)#CWC15#BanvSco

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 5, 2015

Shakib Al Hasan (52 from 41 balls) and Sabbir Rahman (42 from 40 balls) saw Bangladesh home as Scotland, who lost to Afghanistan after a 19-run last-wicket stand, fell short again.

It was an historic day at the 2015 World Cup on Wednesday, as Afghanistan made their debut in the global tournament against Bangladesh at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

It was an enthusiastically supported affair in the Australian capital, with a vibrant crowd making for an impressive atmosphere in a match that featured two of the world's smaller cricketing nations playing a great distance from home. 

Afforded a chance to settle into their maiden World Cup appearance in the field when Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat, the Afghanis put together a polished display with the ball in the early overs.

With the wickets of Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque in quick succession, the underdogs put the brakes on the batting side, who laboured to 52 for two in the opening 17 overs. 

Another pair of quick wickets a little later reduced Bangladesh to 119 for four with only 20 overs remaining. 

But a strong partnership between Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim hauled the Tigers away from danger, with a trio of late fours from Mashrafe Mortaza pushing the total to 267. 

In response, it all unraveled rather quickly for Afghanistan, who lost Javed Ahmadi, Afsar Zazai and Asghar Stanikzai inside three overs to collapse to three for three. 

Aided by Samiullah Shenwari, captain Mohammad Nabi helped the Afghanis avoid a thrashing with a well-constructed 44, but in their World Cup debut, the men in blue fell 105 runs short as they were bowled out for 162 in the 43rd over. 

Shot of the Day

One of the most stimulating aspects of powerful hitting in the modern game is the cracking sound that is made when a truly lusty blow is struck. 

That was the case for Bangladesh's Mushfiqur on Wednesday, whose glorious strike off the bowling Aftab Alam in the 41st over had that sound. 

Instantly, you knew what the result would be: six.

Over the fence it went.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgWaVRd8110

In an impressive innings that earned the right-hander the Man of the Match award, it was undoubtedly the highlight. 

Delivery of the Day

There's a reason why left-arm finger-spinners often go around the wicket when bowling to left-handers. And why right-arm off-spinners do the same to right-handers: it brings lbw into play.

When bowling over the wicket and spinning the ball into the batsmen, it's extremely difficult to hit the pads in line as well as convincing the umpire the ball will eventually hit the stumps. 

But that's what Shakib Al Hasan did on Wednesday.

With a beautifully flighted delivery, Bangladesh's trump card caught the left-handed Najibullah Zadran on the crease with a ball that dipped and spun sharply. 

Catching the front pad, a strong appeal from the left-armer was rewarded, before the Decision Review System confirmed the umpire's call after a referral. 

Catch of the Day

Rubel Hossain's catch to dismiss Afghanistan's Nawroz Mangal on Wednesday was a fine effort, as the Bangladeshi fielder made good ground to his left before taking a diving catch above his head near the boundary. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrizVkm2oq0

Though the chasing side hadn't looked threatening, the dismissal halted a steadily growing partnership and strengthened the Tigers grip on the match.

Reaction

Safe to say these fans are pretty happy with @BCBtigers who are closing in on victory at Manuka #cwc15 #BANvsAFG https://t.co/8XdssYsHTt

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) February 18, 2015

And the Player of the Match goes to Mushfiqur Rahim for his brilliant innings of 71 #cwc15 #TwitterMirror pic.twitter.com/t53nP3B23O

— ICC (@ICC) February 18, 2015

This is Bangladesh's 6th ODI win in a row since 21 Nov 2014
Have now won four of their last six WC games since 25 Feb 2011 #CWC15#BanvsAfg

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 18, 2015

Great to see @RealHamidHassan sporting his trademark headband for Afghanistan! #CWC15 #BANvsAFG pic.twitter.com/aaxV5KokUB

— Australian Cricketers' Association (@ACA_Players) February 18, 2015

https://twitter.com/venkatananth/status/567906223963521024

Pool A

TEAMS	MAT	WON	LOST	TIED	N/R	PTS	NET RR
New Zealand	2	2	0	0	0	4	+2.624
Australia	1	1	0	0	0	2	+2.220
Bangladesh	1	1	0	0	0	2	+2.100
Sri Lanka	1	0	1	0	0	0	-1.960
Afghanistan	1	0	1	0	0	0	-2.100
England	1	0	1	0	0	0	-2.220
Scotland	1	0	1	0	0	0	-3.039

Thursday's Schedule

Thursday's World Cup action will see the United Arab Emirates take on Zimbabwe at the Saxton Oval in Nelson. 

In a strong Pool B, the encounter is critical for both sides if they harbour any hopes of claiming one of the four qualifications spots in a group that includes South Africa, India, Pakistan, the West Indies and a fast-starting Ireland outfit. 

Afghanistan’s Cricket World Cup debut against Bangladesh ended in a 105-run defeat on Wednesday.

Bangladesh made 267 in their 50 overs at Canberra's Manuka Oval after winning their toss and electing to bat.

			Runs	Minutes	Balls	4s	6s
A Haque	lbw	b Ashraf	29	67	55	4	0
Tamim Iqbal	c Zazai	b Ashraf	19	58	42	2	0
Sarkar	lbw	b S Zadran	28	52	25	3	1
Mahmudullah	c Zazai	b S Zadran	23	56	46	0	0
Shakib		b Hassan	63	87	51	6	1
Mushfiqur Rahim	c Shenwari	b Nabi	71	84	56	6	1
Rahman		b Hassan	3	7	8	0	0
Mortaza		b Alam	14	11	9	3	0
M Haque	run out (Zazai)		3	4	3	0	0
Rubel Hossain	not out		0	4	2	0	0
Taskin Ahmed		b Alam	1	3	3	0	0
Extras		0nb 6w 3b 4lb	13
Bowler			Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Hassan			10	0	61	2
S Zadran			7	1	20	2
Alam			9	0	55	2
Ashraf			9	3	32	2
Nabi			9	0	58	1
Ahmadi			4.5	0	32	0
Shenwari			1.1	0	2	0

Afghanistan, one of four non-Test playing nations at the World Cup, could only make 162 in their reply in the Pool A match.

			Runs	Minutes	Balls	4s	6s
Ahmadi	c and b Mortaza		1	4	2	0	0
Zazai	lbw	b Rubel Hossain	1	6	5	0	0
Mangal	c Rubel Hossain	b Mahmudullah	27	88	57	1	0
Stanikzai	c Mahmudullah	b Mortaza	1	6	7	0	0
Shenwari	run out (Rahman)		42	92	75	2	0
Nabi	c Sarkar	b Mortaza	44	64	43	5	0
N Zadran	lbw	b Shakib	17	48	34	1	0
Ashraf	c Rahman	b Shakib	10	15	15	0	1
Alam	run out (Sarkar)		14	26	12	2	1
Hassan	c A Haque	b Taskin Ahmed	0	3	5	0	0
S Zadran	not out		2	6	2	0	0
Extras		0nb 2w 0b 1lb	3
Bowler			Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Mortaza			9	2	20	3
Rubel Hossain			6	0	27	1
Taskin Ahmed			7	0	23	1
Shakib			8.5	0	43	2
Mahmudullah			8	1	31	1
Sarkar			3	0	13	0
Rahman			1	0	4	0

A 114-run fifth-wicket partnership between Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim was the cornerstone of the Tigers’ innings.

1 - Shakib Al Hasan has become the first player to score 4,000 ODI runs for @BCBtigers. Landmark. #CWC15

— OptaJim (@OptaJim) February 18, 2015

After reaching 38-0 at the end of the Powerplay, Mirwais Ashraf removed openers Tamim Iqbal (19) and Anamul Haque (29) in consecutive overs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7806VubbaTg

Shapoor Zadran then chipped in to dismiss Soumya Sarkar (28) and Mahmudullah (23) to leave Bangladesh at 119-4 in the 30th over.

However Shakib (63) and Mushfiqur (71) both hit six boundaries and a six to deflate the Afghans who defeated Bangladesh by 32 runs in their only previous one-day international match-up at the Asia Cup in Fatullah last year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgWaVRd8110

Six wickets fell in the final 32 balls of the innings with Bangladesh’s last man Taskin Ahmed bowled by Aftab Alam with the final ball of the innings.

267 - is Bangladesh's highest total in ODIs where they lost all 10 wkts
Prev: 265/10 vs N Zealand at Mirpur 29-10-2013 (Won)#CWC15#BanvAfg

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 18, 2015

Afghanistan would have been optimistic of a famous victory, just 15 years after the Taliban lifted a ban on the game, but they slumped to 3-3 in their reply.

Javed Ahmadi (1) offered a return catch to Mashrafe Mortaza, next ball Afsar Zazai (1) was trapped lbw by Rubel Hossain before Mortaza returned to have Asghar Stanikzai (1) caught at slip.

Nawroz Mangal and Samiullah Shenwari rebuilt the innings but the former swept Mahmudullah to deep square leg after making 27 and then Samiullah was run out on 42, attempting a second run.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrizVkm2oq0

At 78-5, Afghanistan’s hopes of emulating Ireland and beating a Test nation had all but vanished. A spirited 62-run partnership for the sixth wicket was ended when Najibullah Zadran (17) was trapped lbw by Shakib and Afghanistan's long-serving captain Mohammad Nabi miscued Mortaza to mid-off next ball after making 44.

The tail failed to wag and comical run out ended the match in the 43rd over.

This is Bangladesh's 6th ODI win in a row since 21 Nov 2014
Have now won four of their last six WC games since 25 Feb 2011 #CWC15#BanvsAfg

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 18, 2015

Bangladesh have a much tougher task when they face Australia in their next match on Saturday.

As Bangladesh emerged from their 2014 malaise to whitewash Zimbabwe in both Test and one-day international series, it was no surprise that Shakib Al Hasan was one of the driving forces. His performances with the ball across both formats made him the standout bowler in world cricket for November.

All-rounder Al Hasan is unquestionably Bangladesh's star man, and in November he continued his successful comeback from a ban enforced by the Bangladesh Cricket Board for "serious misbehaviour," as detailed by Mohammad Isam of ESPN Cricinfo.

Shakib was involved in an altercation with a spectator during an ODI with India in June and fell out spectacularly with coach Chandika Hathurusingha, resulting in a six-month ban for what the BCB president  Nazmul Hassan called "a severe attitude problem, which is unprecedented in the history of Bangladesh cricket," per Isam.

His ban was ultimately cut short and, to borrow a phrase from the Kevin Pietersen saga, he was hastily reintegrated for the Zimbabwe series. Like Pietersen, who rejoined England after being dropped in 2012 to inspire a stunning victory in Mumbai, Shakib's impact was significant.

In a preview of the Test series, Devashish Fuloria of ESPN Cricinfo emphasised that Shakib was integral to Bangladesh's bowling attack:

For Bangladesh, taking 20 wickets is a lot more likely when Shakib is part of their attack. The extent to which he has been missed can be measured by two simple numbers. In the two-Test series in the West Indies, Bangladesh, minus Shakib, picked up a grand total of 21 wickets. Shakib, who has only played two of Bangladesh's four Tests this year, remains their highest wicket-taker in 2014.

Fuloria's judgement that Bangladesh's attack is more dangerous with Shakib was instantly vindicated when the series started in October.

He immediately made his presence felt with 6-of-59 to help skittle the tourists for 240, setting a fine example for young left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, who then ran through Zimbabwe second time around with an extraordinary haul of 8-of-39.

Shakib was just warming up, and in November he really hit his stride with an all-round masterclass: His first innings century with 5-of-80 in the first innings and an even better 5-of-44 in the second innings. All bar two of the batsmen he dismissed batted in the top seven.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvAVud8tHcI

Shakib Al Hasan becomes 3rd player after IBotham & Imran Khan with a century & 10-wkt match haul in same Test, 1st to do so v non-India Team

— Cricket Record (@cricinfo_record) November 7, 2014

Only four players took more Test wickets than Shakib's 11 scalps in November as per ESPN Cricinfo, and all of those played three Tests in the Pakistan vs. New Zealand series as opposed to the two Tests the Bangladeshi all-rounder appeared in.

Pakistan spin duo Yasir Shah and Zulfiqar Babar continued their fine form from the demolition of Australia, taking 15 and 13 wickets respectively against the Black Caps in the UAE.

New Zealand spinner Mark Craig also prospered, ending November with 13 victims thanks to November's outstanding single performance. His 7-of-94 in the third Test helped to turn the tide for New Zealand, as recounted in Bleacher Report's analysis of winners and losers from the series.

Shakib edges all of them for the title of World Cricket's Bowler of the Month for his sustained excellence in the ODI series that followed, the first four of which took place in the latter part of November.

Most notable was his 4-of-41 in the first ODI, coming as it did on top of another century, but in other games where he took wickets without being so incisive, he always played a vital role in restricting the opposition's scoring.

His eight wickets in the first four ODIs made him the leading wicket-taker in international cricket across all formats in November, above the aforementioned trio as well as Zimbabwean Tinashe Panyangara, who took seven wickets in both Tests and ODIs against Bangladesh.

Player	Mat	Overs	Runs	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR	5-fors	10 Wkt Match
Shakib Al Hasan (Ban)	6	130.0	332	19	5/44	10/124	17.47	2.55	41.0	2	1
Yasir Shah (Pak)	3	141.1	503	15	5/79	7/171	33.53	3.56	56.4	1	0
T Panyangara (Zim)	5	103.4	366	14	3/66	4/101	26.14	3.53	44.4	0	0
MD Craig (NZ)	3	131.1	541	13	7/94	10/203	41.61	4.12	60.5	1	1
Zulfiqar Babar (Pak)	3	147.2	495	13	4/96	8/233	38.07	3.35	68.0	0	0

Taking all formats into account, Shakib's consistency and superiority across most areas makes him stand out.

His average of 17.47 is far superior to the other four bowlers, the next best being Panyangara with 26.14, and nobody has a better strike rate than Shakib's wicket every 41 deliveries.

Most remarkably, given that three of the other top four wicket-takers for the month exclusively played Tests rather than the free-scoring ODI format, Shakib's economy rate of 2.55 runs per over also outstrips his peers.

Impressively, of the 150 balls Shakib delivered in ODIs, only 10 went for boundaries, and none of these cleared the ropes, reflecting his great skill, control and guile with the white ball.

Crucially in determining World Cricket's leading bowler for the month, the two five-wicket hauls Shakib recorded represent an achievement that no other bowler matched in international cricket in November.

Shakib carried his form into December with 3-of-30 in the final ODI on the first day of the new month, and Bangladesh are clearly relishing having such an effective performer back in their ranks, helping them rediscover that winning feeling in the process.

Any hopes Bangladesh harbour of progressing from Pool A in the World Cup, which commences in February, likely at the cost of one of Australia, England, New Zealand or Sri Lanka, will rest firmly on Shakib showing his best form with both the bat and, as was the case throughout November, with the ball as well.

Another day, another defeat for Bangladesh.

This time, it was a defeat that was shrouded in embarrassment as Bangladesh failed to chase 106 against a second-string Indian team.

Before the start of the series, Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim said he felt “let down” by India sending a weakened team, according to Pradeep Kalamegam of SportsKeeda. Today, it looks like India could have sent a domestic team to do the job.

They are on a nine-match losing streak in one-day cricket following a thumping at the hands of India which saw them bowled out for 58.

Bangladesh 58 all out chasing 106 to beat India. Quite an effort.

— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) June 17, 2014

Overall, they have managed just 80 wins in the 285 matches they have played, losing 202.

The current state of affairs in Bangladesh cricket is desperate. Players know where they are making their mistakes. Time and time again at post-match interviews, players will admit that they failed to convert starts or they bowled poorly or whatever other basics might have led to ineptitude.

But nothing ever changes or gets better. It must be so frustrating to be a Bangladesh fan.

But how do you rectify the problem? Coaching can only go so far—although, there is much ill-discipline that needs to be coached out of Bangladesh’s players. So, what else?

A good start would be for some of Bangladesh’s stars to go and spend a season playing county cricket. While the English domestic system isn’t the strongest in the world, it is the perfect breeding ground for refining a craft and playing a lot of cricket.

That is the most important thing for its core players: playing loads of cricket. The truth is that Bangladesh simply does not play enough internationally compared to other teams and that’s not going to change any time soon—they aren't an attraction to most other teams.

With cricket’s new world order of England, Australia and India taking more control of the game, the amount of cricket Bangladesh plays will depend largely on the board’s ability to build relationships with other boards.

If there is nothing in it for other boards, there may be no reason to play Bangladesh, especially if their horror form continues. That, perhaps is one of the biggest challenges facing the country's cricket.

Domestic structures will have to ease and carry much of the burden of the initial development, but once at the top, you only get smarter by playing the smarter opponent.

The only possible solution is for the players to try and better themselves overseas. Shakib Al Hasan is the only player who has competed regularly in other leagues, but that is primarily Twenty20 cricket.

The value of experience in other leagues cannot be underestimated, but skills are best refined and adapted in the longest format of the game. If the administrators cannot bring cricket to its players, then its players must go find the cricket themselves.

It’s all easier said than done, of course.

Domestic leagues cater largely for development of their own players, but that is why the English county scene is such a good option. It is massive, with 18 teams competing and players coming and going through the international revolving door all the time.  

In a utopian world, some sort of exchange programme would actually be ideal. Bangladesh sends its best players to learn how to become better cricketers, while England sends, for example, their would-be spinners to Bangladesh to learn how to actually turn a ball.

That is a idealistic world solution, though, and the night probably has not been dark enough for a dawn yet for Bangladesh. Unless something changes soon, things are only going to start getting worse.

Back in January, Mohammad Isam, ESPNCricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent, wrote about the changes needed to help Bangladesh move forward. Following an innings and 248-run defeat against Sri Lanka, things were looking pretty grim.

There were many issues for Bangladesh then with the talk of a two-tier Test system dominating the headlines and having a series impact on the players. Rahim had spoken out about his concerns, but the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) did not care for his views. 

Back then already, Isam had suggested, "The BCB needs to be proactive and appease its players rather than shooting them down for being vocal on issues.” 

He also said that “a general sense of practicality is necessary and expected”.

None of that has materialised and what many thought was the once-a-year blip of a massive defeat has now escalated into full-scale dysfunction.

It’s crisis time and it’s not like nobody saw it coming.

Bangladesh and Pakistan play their penultimate group matches in the World Twenty20 on Sunday, with both trailing in Group 2 as they chase a semifinal spot.

Venue: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur

Date: Sunday, March 30

Start time: 9.30 a.m. GMT

Live on: Sky Sports (UK), Fox Sports (Australia), Super Sport (South Africa), BTV (Bangladesh), PTV Sports (Pakistan), Star India (India), SLBC (Sri Lanka), ESPN3 (USA)

Weather: According to Weather.com, Mirpur promises to once again be excruciatingly hot and sunny, with temperatures reaching nearly 40 degrees Celsius.

Overview

Bangladesh have had real problems in their own tournament, losing both of their Super 10 games and languishing in the bottom spot in Group 2.

Having previously lost easily to tournament champions West Indies by 73 runs, Bangladesh then faced the in-form India.

Batting first, the home side could not get any momentum in their innings, with only Anamul Haque and Mahmudullah passing 30 in a final total of 138-7 from their 20 overs.

However, in reply India looked comfortable, despite an early wicket for Al-Amin Hossain, eventually easing home by eight wickets with nine balls remaining.

Meanwhile, after a loss of their own to India by seven wickets in their opening game, Pakistan looked much-improved against Australia in their second match.

Batting first, Pakistan made 191-5, thanks in large part to an explosive 94 from Umar Akmal, made from just 54 balls.

In reply, Australia could only manage 175 all out, with just two players making double figures in a loss by 16 runs.

The wickets were shared around fairly evenly, with Zulfiqar Babar, Umar Gul, Shahid Afridi and Bilawal Bhatti all taking two each.

They are currently third in Group 2, two points behind West Indies and four behind India with a game in hand.

Team News

Bangladesh (from)

Mushfiqur Rahim (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Shamsur Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Mominul Haque, Nasir Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Sohag Gazi, Mashrafe Mortaza, Farhad Reza, Rubel Hossain, Al-Amin Hossain.

Pakistan (from)

Mohammad Hafeez (capt), Ahmed Shehzad, Bilawal Bhatti, Junaid Khan, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Talha, Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi, Sharjeel Khan, Shoaib Malik, Sohaib Maqsood, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Zulfiqar Babar

Key Players

Shakib Al Hasan

Leading Bangladesh in the wickets column is Shakib Al Hasan, still one of the best all-rounders in world cricket.

Also very capable with the bat in addition to his left-arm spin, Al Hasan will need to assert himself on this game if his side are to be successful.

Umar Akmal

Still an explosive presence in Pakistan’s middle order, Umar Akmal was impressive last time out against Australia.

His 94 was crucial in leading his team to victory, and he will want to continue his good form against the tournament hosts.

The Super 10 stage of the World Twenty20 continues as hosts Bangladesh take on India as part of a tournament doubleheader on Friday.

Venue: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur

Date: Friday, March 28

Start time: 1.30 p.m. GMT

Live on: Sky Sports (U.K.), Fox Sports (Australia), Super Sport (South Africa), BTV (Bangladesh), PTV Sports (Pakistan), Star India (India), SLBC (Sri Lanka), ESPN3 (USA)

Weather: According to Weather.com, it will be excruciatingly hot, sunny and humid in Mirpur, with temperatures reaching a sweltering 38 degrees Celsius during the day.

Overview

Both teams have enjoyed differing fortunes at their start of the Super 10 in this World T20, with India having taken two wins from two games and hosts Bangladesh losing their only match thus far.

For Bangladesh, it was a disappointing outing against champions West Indies on Tuesday, as they went down by 73 runs.

The visitors racked up 171-7 thanks in large part to some slack fielding and dropped catches, with Al-Amin Hossain’s 3-21 a rare bright spot.

In reply, the Bangladeshi innings could not get off the ground at all, and they were bundled out for just 98 as they failed to cope with their opponents’ spinners.

After the game, captain Mushfiqur Rahim said his players were not playing with freedom, and that they felt under pressure to keep their places in the team.

Meanwhile, India have looked comfortable in both their games so far, beating both Pakistan and the West Indians by seven wickets.

On both occasions, their bowlers managed to restrict their opponents to 130 or less, while their top order have had few problems in reaching the required target.

Particularly impressive last time out were Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who both reached half-centuries in a partnership of 106 to take their side to the brink of victory.

With India seemingly on a roll and Bangladesh struggling to keep momentum having snuck through the opening round on net run rate.

Team News

Bangladesh (from): Mushfiqur Rahim (capt.), Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Shamsur Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Mominul Haque, Nasir Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Sohag Gazi, Mashrafe Mortaza, Farhad Reza, Rubel Hossain, Al-Amin Hossain.

India (from): MS Dhoni (capt.), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Stuart Binny, Amit Mishra, Mohit Sharma, Varun Aaron

Key Players

Anamul Haque

Bangladesh’s top run scorer in the tournament, Haque has looked good at the top of the order despite being inexperienced in international cricket.

The 21-year-old will want to get his side off to a good start and build a solid platform against India’s bowlers.

Amit Mishra

Enjoying something of a renaissance after a stuttering international career, Mishra has been enormously impressive with the ball so far.

Drawing on his experience and using the turning pitches of Bangladesh well, he will want to continue his good form here.

Hosts Bangladesh moved closer to reaching the Super 10 phase of the World Twenty20 tournament with an eight-wicket victory over Nepal.

After winning the toss and electing to field they restricted the Associate Member nation to 126-5 in their 20 overs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53DIwFa8xfU

The Tigers reached their target with 27 balls to spare as Shakib Al Hasan hit the winning runs in the most emphatic fashion, a six over long-on.

A victory over winless Hong Kong on Thursday will see Bangladesh join India, Pakistan, Australia and West Indies in Group 2.

An 85-run partnership between captain Paras Khadka and Sharad Vesawkar rescued Nepal after they slumped to 39-3 in the seventh over.

Khadka hit 41 from 35 balls, with Vesawkar making 40 from 43, before being run out off the final ball of the innings, with both men hitting five boundaries.

			Runs	Minutes	Balls
Khakurel	c Razzak	b Reza	8	19	13
Pun	c Shakib	b Al-Amin	12	31	19
Malla	lbw	b Al-Amin	13	13	6
Khadka		b Mortaza	41	58	35
Vesawkar	run out (Mushfiqur Rahim)		40	62	43
Bhandari	not out		0	4	4
Extras		0nb 9w 0b 3lb	12
Bowler		Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Mortaza		4	0	23	1
Al-Amin		4	0	17	2
Reza		3	0	27	1
Shakib		4	0	22	0
Nasir Hossain		3	0	22	0
Razzak		2	0	12	0

Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque quelled any home nerves with an opening partnership of 63 in Bangladesh’s reply.

Iqbal departed for 30 in the eighth over and Haque was run out for 42 in the 11th, but Sabbir Rahman made an unbeaten 21 with Shakib finishing 37 not out after hitting four sixes in his 18-ball knock.

			Runs	Minutes	Balls
Tamim Iqbal	c Pun	b Regmi	30	33	22
A Haque	run out (Pun)		42	49	33
Rahman	not out		21	38	20
Shakib	not out		37	22	18
Extras		0nb 0w 0b 2lb	2
Bowler		Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Kami		2	0	21	0
Khadka		3	0	23	0
Gauchan		4	0	40	0
Mukhiya		2	0	16	0
Regmi		3	0	14	1
Pun		1.3	0	16	0

Nepal, who beat Hong Kong on Sunday, need to defeat Afghanistan in their final match to have any chance of progressing.

Hosts Bangaldesh made a statement on the opening day of the 2014 World Twenty20 by beating Afghanistan by nine wickets in Mirpur on Sunday.

It was a fine display from Bangladesh and avenged their one-day loss to Afghanistan in the Asia Cup earlier this month.

Anamul Haque top-scored for Bangladesh with an unbeaten 33-ball 44 as they chased down the set target of 72 with six overs to spare.

In the bowling department, left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan impressed with figures of 3-8 from 3.1 overs in front of the sell-out home crowd of 25,000.

Speaking after the game, as reported by AFP, man-of-the-match Shakib commented that the pitch had been a help:

There was obviously spin out there

We put the ball in the right areas and that did the trick for us.

This is usually a good track, but today it was different.

With only one team from each group qualifying for the Super 10 stage, the Afghans look likely to make an early exit.

However, Bangladesh have made the type of impressive start they would have been hoping for and look the most likely to qualify from Group A.

The other match in the group saw Hong Kong demolished by Nepal and Bangladesh look capable of claiming victory over both of those sides.

If they can make it through to the Super 10 stage, Bangladesh will have met expectations. But after today's performance the home crowd may be hoping for some bigger scalps.

Assuming that Bangladesh get out of the preliminary group stage, they will go into Group 2 of the Super 10 and join Australia, West Indies, Pakistan and India.

West Indies and Australia have just won T20 series against England and South Africa, respectively, while Pakistan were finalists at the Asia Cup, so it will be tough for Bangladesh. However, in the Asia Cup Pakistan had to rely on a magnificent 29-ball 59 from Shahid Afridi to chase down Bangladesh's excellent total of 326.

If Bangladesh can apply the pressure like that again in the shortest form of the game, Pakistan may not be able to respond.

Meanwhile, India could be ripe for the taking having only played one T20 international in the last 15 months.

They had a torrid tour of New Zealand in which they lost the test series 1-0 and the one-day series 4-0.

They were also underwhelming in the Asia Cup meaning if Bangladesh bring their best form they could cause an upset.

Haque will be key to any Bangladeshi hopes. The 21-year-old has an average just shy of 50 in T20 internationals while his strike rate is in the high 130s, per ESPNcricinfo.

He won Sunday's game with a six and has the firepower to trouble other bowling attacks.

It may be unlikely that Bangladesh reach the knockout stages of this tournament but with the home crowd's backing it is not impossible.

Equally, even if they do not advance, they will claim a significant victory or two if they can take momentum from their impressive opening win.