Bangladesh are set to play their second Super Four match of the Asia Cup against India, before facing Pakistan the very next day in what will also be Pakistan’s final Super Four fixture. The outcome of that encounter will decide which side, Bangladesh or Pakistan, advances to the final.
Ahead of this all-important contest, Pakistan are taking Bangladesh very seriously. Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi said their full focus is now on the Bangladesh game and on finding ways to beat them.
“Our next match is the one we have to think about. At the moment, all our attention is on Bangladesh, how we can defeat them,” Afridi said in the pre-match press conference.
Bangladesh enter the tournament buoyed by three consecutive series wins, including one against Pakistan. Afridi acknowledged that reminder, adding that his side must perform at their best across all departments.
“Bangladesh are a good team. They have been playing very well recently. When you play against such teams, you have to land the first blow; you can’t give them any chances. We need to play good cricket in all three departments—fielding, batting and bowling,” Afridi added.
Bangladesh began their Super Four campaign in style, edging past Sri Lanka by four wickets on Saturday. In a tense finish, they chased down Sri Lanka’s 168 with just one ball to spare. While India are considered significantly stronger on paper, many cricket experts believe Bangladesh have what it takes to topple Pakistan in their last Super Four encounter.
