Friday 24th April, the single Twenty20 match took place at Dhaka, between Pakistan and Bangladesh. Pakistan decided to bat first after winning the toss.
Captain Shahid Afridi and Ahmed Shehzad made a return only for this match. Mukhtar Ahmed was on debut.
From the beginning it was clear Pakistan were under prepared and totally lacking confidence. Opener Ahmed Shehzad really struggled and was out for 17 off 31 balls. This strike rate really is unacceptable in a T20 match.
Mukhtar Ahmed faired better with 37 runs of 31 balls. Shahid Afridi was out to a poor umpiring decision, however he did try his luck to get a review done, but in T20 there are no reviews!
The rest of the innings stumbled along to 141 for 5, off 20 overs. The batting order became slightly erratic with Sohail Tanvir being promoted before other recognised batsmen.
In return Bangladesh wobbled at 38 for 3, before Shakib Al Hasan and Sabbir Rahman both pounded the bowling attack to reach unbeaten 50s. They reached the target easily in 16 overs.
The tour so far has been the worst ever for Pakistan. Losing the warm up match against the Bangladesh Cricket Board XI, then being smashed in 3 ODIs and finally easily losing the T20 match.
The Pakistani players should be feeling a great deal of embarrassment. They failed to bat, bowl or field well. A total disaster!
They will be wanting this traumatic tour to end as soon as possible. The only record they have set is that they are the worst Pakistani cricket team ever.
Congratulations to Bangladesh, who have out performed Pakistan in all departments.
Pakistan have looked very under prepared for this tour. They took Bangladesh too lightly and thought they would easily win. I think we will remember this beating for some time to come.
What is more worrying is the attitude and approach of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), they really don’t appear at all concerned that the national cricket team has become a joke. The PCB have been having their rather grand and lavish Annual General Meeting, while the Pakistan cricket team have surrendered to Bangladesh on all fronts.
It think it is about time the dinosaur leaders of the PCB are replaced by a team of credible people who know how to run a National cricket team and care about the results.
Next Tuesday 28th April is the start of the 1st Test Match. Captain Misbah ul Haq and Younis Khan will be making a return.
