Misbah-ul-Haq's Pakistan will look to continue their recent winning form when they open the tour of Bangladesh with a Twenty20 international in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Published: Nov 28, 2011, 01:52 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 28, 2011, 01:52 PM (IST)
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in all three formats of the game this month © AFP
Dhaka: Nov 28, 2011
Misbah-ul-Haq’s Pakistan will look to continue their recent winning form when they open the tour of Bangladesh with a Twenty20 international in Dhaka on Tuesday.
The three-week visit, which also comprises three one-day internationals and two Tests, is Pakistan’s first full tour of their South Asian rivals since 2002.
Pakistan are buoyed by their emphatic success over Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates this month, where they beat their accomplished rivals in all three formats of the game.
“This is a good period for us and I hope we will continue to win,” Misbah told reporters on Sunday.
“It’s all about team work. The guys know what is expected of them and they work hard to fulfil their responsibilities. It’s really good to have a team like this.”
Pakistan have enjoyed overwhelming success over Bangladesh in the past, but Misbah cautioned his team-mates against taking the hosts lightly.
“We will have to play good cricket to beat them because Bangladesh are a strong side at home. They are sure to put up a tough fight,” the Pakistan captain said.
“We have to be more consistent in our batting. There is always room to improve the fielding and we must be more disciplined in our bowling.”
When Pakistan last played a Test series in Bangladesh in 2002 they won both matches by heavy margins, the first by an innings and 178 runs in Dhaka and the second by an innings and 169 runs in Chittagong.
Bangladesh have endured a wretched period at the top level, having lost nine of their last 10 Tests with one drawn game.
The 1-0 loss at home to the West Indies in October was their 61st defeat in 71 Tests since they entered the big league in 2000.
Bangladesh have won just three Tests so far, while seven matches were drawn.
The hosts, now led by their gutsy wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim, will look to push Pakistan hard when the two-Test series starts on December 9. (AFP)
Tour itinerary:
Nov 29: T20 international, Dhaka
Dec 1 : First one-dayer, Dhaka
Dec 3 : Second one-dayer, Dhaka
Dec 6 : Third one-dayer, Chittagong
Dec 9-13: First Test, Chittagong
Dec 17-21: Second Test, Dhaka
