Can out-of-sorts Bangladesh avoid clean sweep? (Preview)

Venue: Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur

Start Time: 03:30 GMT (09:00 IST)

When Bangladesh were given Test status in 2000, they promised a lot but the eleven years they spent at the highest level thus far have proven otherwise. Out of 72 matches in the longest format, they have had to endure defeat in sixty two. With victories hard to come by, Bangladesh haven’t even got draws regularly. As a result, they have remained stuck at bottom of the pile and adding to their woes is their recent form.

Dismal performances throughout the last two years have seen them touch new lows. In eleven Tests from the beginning of 2010, the innings defeat against Pakistan at Chittagong was their tenth loss. After coming second best against Zimbabwe, Bangladesh have floundered on home turf- first, against lowly West Indies and then, an in-form Pakistan side floored them.

Even though, Bangladesh’s spin-dominated bowling has struggled for incisiveness against quality oppositions but the real problem is a perennially underperforming batting line-up. In eight Test innings they have reached 300 only once with none of their batsmen getting to three figures. Their self destruction more often than not has reflected lack of first class experience, concern even voiced by their skipper, Mushfiqur Rahim.

Pakistan, on the other hand, have played with clinical efficiency. Misbah-ul-Haq as captain has led the team with aplomb. His ice-cool behavior on the field cancels out some of the volatility that is part and parcel of the Pakistan cricket culture. It is no surprise that Pakistan have won five out of nine Tests in 2011 and have remained undefeated in a bilateral series since last October.

While their bowling has always been top-notch, the batting has also achieved much-needed consistency. After many years, they have found a stable and dependable opening partnership in the form of Hafeez and Taufeeq Umar. Along with the experience of Younis Khan and Misbah, the two young guns- Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq, make a settled middle order. The swift progress Pakistan has made means England could be in for a surprise when they face Misbah and company in UAE early next year.

All said and done, Pakistan are overwhelming favourites to complete a clean sweep across all the formats, but it remains to be seen if Bangladesh have any gas left in the tank or the passionate Mirpur crowd will have to witness another pasting.

Bangladesh Squad: Mushfiqur Rahim (Capt & wk), Mahmudullah (vice-capt), Tamim Iqbal, Nazimuddin, Shahriar Nafees, Shakib Al Hasan, Naeem Islam, Nasir Hossain, Elias Sunny, Shahadat Hossain, Sohrawardi Shuvo, Robiul Islam, Nazmul Hossain, Shafiul Islam.

Pakistan Squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (Capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Imran Farhat, Younis Khan, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Adnan Akmal (wk), Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul, Mohammad Talha, Aizaz Cheema, Junaid Khan