Pakistan a good bowling side even without Akhtar: Ashraful
Bureau Report

KARACHI—Bangladesh is not counting on the absence of banned paceman Shoaib Akhtar to improve its chances of beating Pakistan in the upcoming one-day international tour.
Bangladesh arrived in Pakistan on Sunday for five one-day internationals, beginning April 8, and a Twenty20 match. Bangladesh was called up short notice for the tour after Australia pulled out on security grounds.
Akhtar has been banned for five years by Pakistan’s cricket board for repeated breaches of disciplinary codes, and has filed an appeal.
“He (Akhtar) has not played for Pakistan in the last two three series, but still they are a good bowling side and we have to play at our best to beat them,” Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful told reporters Sunday.
Paceman Umar Gul was named in Pakistan’s squad to face Bangladesh, having missed the series against Zimbabwe due to a back problem. Medium fast bowlers Rao Iftikhar and Sohail Tanvir were also named.
Bangladesh - currently ranked No. 9 in the world - has won just one of 18 one-day internationals against Pakistan, at the 1999 World Cup. However, its Australian coach Jamie Siddons was anticipating an improved showing on this tour. “Pakistan are placed on number five in the ODI rankings and we are at number nine so we have to play better to overcome the gap,” Siddons said.
“It’s (rankings) not really a psychological barrier, we have given tough times to the best sides of the wold and Pakistan is one of the better teams. “We got to stick to our plans regardless who plays for Pakistan and who doesn’t. If Pakistan slips during the series we must take advantage of that.”
Bangladesh defeated Ireland 3-0 in a limited-overs series at home last month and Ashraful felt his side had potential to compete against the best in the world over the next two years. “We have two or three world class players, who have potential and did well against Ireland,” Ashraful said.
“I am looking forward to this series with a hope that in the next two three years we become a good side.”
The series opener in Lahore on April 8 will be followed by matches at Faisalabad (April 11), Lahore (April 13), Multan (April 16) and Karachi (April 19) before the Twenty20 international - also at Karachi on Aprl 20.
Pakistan squad: Mohammad Ashraful (captain), Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal, Junaid Siddique, Aftab Ahmed, Nazimuddin, Shariar Nafees, Shakib Al Hasan, Raqibul Hasan, Dhiman Ghosh, Abdur Razzak, Shahadat Hossain, Mahmudullah, Farhad Reza, Syed Rasel.
Bangladesh Captain Mohammad Ashraful said his was a young side but they will grab all the opportunities coming their way during the series against Pakistan. “We got a young but talented side and we would be trying our best during the series,” flanked by chief coach Jamie Siddons and Manager Muhammad Shafiqul Haque, he told reporters at arrival news conference at local hotel on Sunday.
“It will be good series and we are looking forward to it,” 23-year-old Ashraful, who had played 42 Test and 113 One-Day Internationals said. Commenting on benefits to his team in the absence of speedster Shoaib Akhtar in the Pakistan team, Ashraful said there are better players in the Pakistan team.
Commenting on his team upsetting host Pakistan, he said Bangladesh will play well as team and success will come by. “We are capable of beating any team on a day,” he said. Bangladesh stunned the cricketing world when they beat World Champions Australia at Cardiff in later humbled India in last year’s World Cup Caribbean.
“I am trying to improve my batting,” Ashraful said while referred to his recent indifferent batting form. Bangladesh chief coach Jamie Siddons said it will be a good contest but he has no illusions about it. “We would to our game plan and jump into any opportunity coming their way,” he added.
Siddons said Pakistan was better off team currently ranked five as compared to Bangladesh ranked 9th in the current ICC ranking. BD coach said Pakistan was far experienced team as compared to touring side. However he said he was hoping to build his team in the next couple of years.