Asia Cup 2008

Asia Cup: Pakistan vs Bangladesh – Preview

Today’s final semis league match between Pakistan and Bangladesh in the Asia Cup has been reduced to a dead rubber with India’s six-wicket win sealing their spot in the final and shutting Pakistan out the tournament. This comes as a major disappointment, both to the home fans and the home team.

Scorecard

Pakistan were unsure of where they stood in this tournament before they played India and a scintillating batting performance in that match put them one step closer to joining Sri Lanka in the final but now they only play to keep the critics at bay. This is because there have been reports that the team’s results at the Kitply Cup and Asia Cup could decide the futures of coach Geoff Lawson and Shoaib Malik.

Pakistan won the tri-series in Bangladesh beating India and the pressure should have eased but failure to mkae it to the finals at home has just brought it back on and a loss to Bangladesh will only compound the management’s problems.

Coach Lawson has miffed every one from players to officials to media in his one year reign and thus, will have to be very lucky if he survives the noose. Some say that the decision has already been taken and that he will surely go after the series. Doubts have also cropped up over Shoaib Malik’s captaincy as many ex-players including Imran Khan think that he doesn’t merit an automatic selection into the playing eleven.

Bangladesh have nothing but pride to play for and the mercurial Pakistan offer them their best opportunity to cause an upset.

Tags: Asia Cup 2008, Bangladesh, geoff lawson, pakistan, shoaib malik