Form guide
Bangladesh LLWWL (last five matches, most recent first)
Pakistan LWWWW
In the spotlight
A blazing century in the practice match against the Pakistanis put Sabbir Rahman in the limelight. He already has a settled position in the Bangladesh batting line-up, at No 7, but now he has put some distance between him and his closest competitor Nasir Hossain.
International cricket awaits the return of Saeed Ajmal, who has been away fixing his banned bowling action for the past several months. The initial assessment meant he had to work harder than any of the bowlers who were banned last year. Ajmal was given the green signal in February, and now will play his first international match since August 30, 2014.
Team news
Talukdar is likely to make his debut in the first ODI, leaving no space for Mominul Haque. Nasir has a chance if Bangladesh play eight batsmen. The team management is unlikely to pick Abul Hasan in the pace attack due to Mashrafe Mortaza’s absence.
Bangladesh (probable) 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Rony Talukdar, 3 Soumya Sarkar, 4 Mahmudullah, 5 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 6 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 7 Sabbir Rahman, 8 Nasir Hossain, 9 Arafat Sunny, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Rubel Hossain
Pakistan are likely to give Saad Nasim a debut, in which case there won’t be place for Asad Shafiq. Mohammad Rizwan and Sami Aslam are the other reserve players, while left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar has been named as a replaced for the injured Yasir.
Pakistan (probable) 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Azhar Ali (capt), 3 Haris Sohail, 4 Saad Nasim, 5 Fawad Alam, 6 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 7 Wahab Riaz, 8 Junaid Khan, 9 Saeed Ajmal, 10 Rahat Ali, 11 Ehsan Adil
Pitch and conditions
The pitch could offer a bit of assistance to the pace bowlers but that is likely to wear off once the ball gets older. The weather is sultry in Dhaka but it cools down after sunset. A breeze would be most welcome in Mirpur.
Stats and trivia
[LIST=|INDENT=4]
[li]In the Pakistan squad, only Hafeez and Ajmal have played more than 100 ODIs. Bangladesh have five with more than 100 caps.[/li][li]After their last bilateral series in 2011, these teams have played only three ODIs, all in Bangladesh.[/li][/LIST]
Quotes
“There are little things, one percenters that we need to improve. We all spoke about it. Hopefully we will do what we have been doing. It is going to be very competitive.” Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha “You need experience in your side and it takes time to recover [from the absence of experienced cricketers]. It will take time but it is a good time for the newcomers to get into the side and get ready for the international arena.” Pakistan batsman Mohammad Hafeez
Re: 1st ODI: Bangladesh v Pakistan at Dhaka Apr 17, 2015
I can almost guarantee the line up posted by cricinfo is wrong. Ehsan Adil will most likely sit out in my opinion and they will play another batsmen in place of him. Either Shafiq or Rizwan. Nasim, Alam, Azhar, and Haris will cover the 5th bowler quota.
Re: 1st ODI: Bangladesh v Pakistan at Dhaka Apr 17, 2015
Very realistic chance for Bangladesh to improve their record against Pakistan. Their side is more experienced and more settled as compared to ours. Dare I say, they have equal, if not more talent at their disposal as well. Home ground and crowd will definitely add to BD's benefit.
If Team Pakistan manages to win this ODI series, I will count it as a big achievement.
Re: 1st ODI: Bangladesh v Pakistan at Dhaka Apr 17, 2015
Talking about ODI appearance among the both teams, Hafeez is most experienced player, as he is playing his 156th ODI, Shakib ul Hasan 148th, mushfiqur 147th, Tamim Iqbal 142th.
Re: 1st ODI: Bangladesh v Pakistan at Dhaka Apr 17, 2015
13.2
Wahab Riaz to Tamim Iqbal, OUT, Sarkar is in trouble, he has to depart. 85.3kph back of a length and hurries on middle and off, Tamim manages an inside edge onto the pad, which rolls onto the pitch. The pair want to sneak in a quick single. Wahab runs towards the ball, collects it, under-arm flicks it back onto the stumps and even plucks out the leg stump. Sarkar's bat was on the line by the time the bails came off the groove. He is OUT and the TV umpire confirms it as well Soumya Sarkar run out 20 (36b 3x4 0x6) SR: 55.55
Re: 1st ODI: Bangladesh v Pakistan at Dhaka Apr 17, 2015
Rahat should use his bowlers cleverly. keeping in view Rahat's pathetic 1st spell and 5th part time bowler.
Missing hafeez bowling but thanks God he is in team and can give some advise to Azhar
