Prior to their virtual semi-final game between Pakistan and Bangladesh in the Super Four stage of the ongoing Asia Cup 2018 at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium (Abu Dhabi), Bangladesh head coach Steve Rhodes has tagged Pakistan as the favourite and he believes it helps them to play the game without any pressure.
The winner of the Wednesday (September 26) game will advance in the final and will meet against India that will be played on Friday (September 28) at Dubai International Cricket Stadium (Dubai).
Prior to the game, Rhodes said, “Pakistan, let’s be honest, will be the favourites for this contest but that puts us in a nice position. They know we are a dangerous team. To go into the game as a slight underdog, we can really make that work for us.”
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Rhodes believes the unpredictable Pakistan team are playing with a little lack of confidence in this tournament but he is not sure for the upcoming game on Wednesday.
Rhodes said, “They (Pakistan) are tough but an unpredictable team. I am hoping they will have an off day. We don’t know what Pakistan is going to turn up. They are playing with a little lack of confidence. But they are very dangerous team. On their day, they can really pull things together and play some good cricket. We are also a dangerous team. So, it will be a great contest.”
The biggest headache in the present Bangladesh cricket team is the openers’ forms after Tamim Iqbal’s ruled out from this tournament. Both the openers Liton Das and Nazmul Hossain have failed to play their roles positively yet in this tournament.
Talking about that, Rhodes said, “Of course we’d love to get off to good starts. Every coach would want that. It doesn’t always happen. Sadly, Tamim breaking his finger in that first game was a big blow to us.
“We picked Shanto (Hossain) to take Tamim’s place and give him an opportunity as a young man who has got a lot of talent, as a lot of Bangladeshi young batsmen have. And he’s not quite done it yet, so his place will be looked at in selection. We’ll go through the side this afternoon – (skipper) Mashrafe Mortaza, myself and the selectors – and we will be looking at all the team. I won’t be revealing any plans on the side. But of course we’ll be looking at if it is a little bit of a concern.”
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Rhodes is feeling positive and confident with the Abu Dhabi track where they will play the virtual semi-final game against Pakistan on Wednesday.
He said, “The wicket in Abu Dhabi tends to be on the slow side. It might be a good thing and may make the ball come onto the bat nicely. It will be interesting to see if their pace will actually make the wicket play well for our batsmen.”
Rhodes admitted that they have to manage their tough schedules in this tournament.
The 54-year-old said, “It’s been a tough schedule with lots of travel. Abu Dhabi is a long journey. We stay in the far-end of Dubai so perhaps that’s an extra half-hour. The travel, as well as the conditions, has been difficult.”
Rhodes is still hopeful on his team as he wishes to beat Pakistan on Wednesday and to play a memorable Asia Cup final against India on this Friday.
Rhodes said, “We are certainly a lot better and looking forward to the challenge. To be in the semi-final is what we wanted when we set off from Bangladesh. We wanted to be in this position to try and beat Pakistan and get through to a wonderful final against India.”
