One captain has to revive an ever-mercurial cricket group, whereas the opposite should carry pleasure to his dispirited group, sitting on the sidelines for 3 months. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mehidy Hasan Miraz have contrasting challenges as they head into the ODI sequence in Dhaka this week.
Pakistan are underneath fireplace after failing to achieve the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. The PCB fined the players, and made wholesale modifications to the ODI facet towards Bangladesh. Afridi, the ODI captain, did not carry out to expectations within the World Cup, and he’s now main a facet that has six uncapped cricketers, with a very new prime order.
Afridi mentioned he trusts the brand new faces to do the job within the making an attempt circumstances on the Shere Bangla National Stadium and likewise defined that Babar Azam’s omission doesn’t imply he was “dropped”, echoing his coach Mike Hesson’s thoughts.
“Look, no one was dropped for this series,” Afridi mentioned. “We just want to give opportunity for our youngsters. They also are our future. You want to give opportunity against Bangladesh. I think when the time comes, they will also know their role and what’s coming in future. We just need to prepare our team for the World Cup. It is an opportunity for the youngsters to show their skills.”
Three of these newcomers – Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat and Shamyl Hussain – can even make their ODI debuts on Wednesday, making up Pakistan’s prime three.
“There will be three debuts. Sahibzada Farhan is a top performer in T20s and in List A cricket. Maaz Sadaqat will open and Shamyl Hussain will be one down. We are also, as a team, very excited to see them play for Pakistan, and not just for one series but for the future as well,” mentioned Afridi.
He believes they’re up for the problem of dealing with Bangladesh at dwelling, a distinct proposition than in different circumstances. The likes of Farhan and Sadaqat, who’ve performed within the BPL, even have a bit of extra details about native circumstances in Dhaka.
“Bangladesh have a good side. They play very good cricket in home conditions. They beat West Indies recently. We are prepared as a team. We won our last two ODI series against South Africa and Sri Lanka. We played very good cricket so we just want to continue that.
“I feel they’ve some expertise right here taking part in the Bangladesh Premier League. Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat and few others performed right here this yr. I feel they already performed on this floor and pitch, they know the situation as properly. I hope they play their finest cricket,” mentioned Afridi.
Bangladesh captain Mehidy, meanwhile, is facing multiple challenges too. On one hand, he has had to revive the team’s mood after missing out on the T20 World Cup. His form with the bat and ball has also been under scrutiny. Mehidy acknowledged his form drop, but said he was ready to fight back as a player and captain.
“I’m not fearful (about my kind). I all the time attempt to win video games for the group, and I’ve executed that previously. So naturally there’s expectations about me being a match-winner. I’ll attempt to fulfil these expectations, as I’ve an necessary position with bat and ball in hand. My roles are often useful for the group, so I attempt to contribute as a lot as doable. For a captain, the win/loss column issues on the finish of the day, so I’ll attempt to do my finest from my place,” he mentioned.
Mehidy, who was appointed captain for 12 months in June final yr. “A captain often serves the aim of main the facet. I imagine a captain can construct a facet if he’s given time within the job. I do not assume it’s a check for me. I’ll attempt to carry out as a captain.
“The cricket board will consider whether I will stay as captain or not. My job will be to take the team to a good position. We won the last series, after losing the first two series. We have an important ODI series coming up, especially with the World Cup coming up,” he mentioned.
Mehidy will transfer down the order after batting within the prime 4 final yr in ODIs. “I have batted in almost every position for Bangladesh so I have had time to reflect on my proper batting position. One that will help the team win more matches.
“I’ve batted at No 8 for a very long time, having led the batting with the tail-enders, even successful in some circumstances. I feel if I bat at No 7, given my expertise batting with the tail, it should assist the Bangladesh group. It can be an acceptable place for the group,” he mentioned.
