Shoaib aims successive whitewash over BD

KARACHI—Pakistan would be aiming to make their second successive whitewash when they take on Bangladesh in the fifth and final Day/ Night One-Day International at National Stadium here on Saturday.
Having smashed Zimbabweans 5-0 in the previous ODI series earlier in the year, Shoaib Malik-led Pakistan outfit will be making two in a row after they extended their winning run in the last game.
Considering Pakistan’s total dominance in the series so far, they appear all set to make another clean sweep. Bangladesh would be looking to salvage some pride by thwarting Pakistan’s bid to create a new record, erasing the previous record of ten straight wins by Pakistan under legendary Imran Khan in 1990. Australia with 21 straight wins holds the world record under Ricky pointing while South Africa (12) and West Indies/ Australia (11) are the other teams to have long spree of wins in ODIs. However, Bangladesh need to lift their game considerably in all its departments.
Bangladesh has performed creditably during the last couple of seasons having toppled teams like Australia, South Africa and India but they somehow have not been able to produce that kind of form against Pakistan. The host have an impregnable record against Bangladesh having not lost a single game after their lone defeat during the controvericial 1999 World Cup match at Northampton. Pakistan holds 21-1 record against the visitors. The visiting team’s particular worry is from the indifferent side of their skipper Mohammad Ashraf but young Sakib-ul-Hasan proved his great potential as a top all-rounder by scoring a maiden ODI hundred against full strength Pakistan bowling attack which also included pacer trio of Muhammad Asif, Umar Gul, Sohail Khan and experienced spinners Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik.
Pakistan on the other hand will be relying on the success of openers Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal to continue their ascendancy over Bangladesh. Pakistan will have a good opportunity for selectors and Shoaib Malik to field a couple of youngsters including talented Karachi batsman Naumanullah to see their potential. Pakistan batting will be further beefed-up with return of Younis Khan.
He confirmed that Salman Butt and Kamran will open Pakistan innings in the final ODI. He said Pakistan team may be making a couple of changes for the final ODI. But it depends on the state of the pitch. Neither did he confirm nor did he deny that top batsman Muhammad Yousuf may be rested to allow new batsman to play on Saturday. He reiterated that playing against Bangladesh was better than not playing.
However, he told a questioner that they were ready to play anywhere against Australia if Pakistan Cricket Board has decided that. Shoaib Malik said since taking over as captain, he wanted to use wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal as an opener. “Kamran’s playing as an opener provides us an option for an extra bowler,” he stated. Teams from: Pakistan Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal (wicketkeeper), Younis Khan, Bazid Khan, Muhammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik (Captain), Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Fawad Alam, Sohail Tanvir, Muhammad Asif, Umer Gul, Rao Iftikhar, Naumanullah, Wahab Riaz, Sarfraz Ahmed. Bangladesh: Tamim Iqbal, Junaid Siddique, Aftab Ahmed, Mohammad Ashraful (Captain), Sakib-ul-Hasan, Mahmudullah, Farhad Reza, Dhiman Ghosh (wicket-keeper), Abdur Razzak, Mashrafe Mortuza, Shahdat Hossain, Shahriar Nafees, Nazimuddin, Syed Rasel.

—Agencies