World T20: Distractions aside, Pakistan get down to cricket

The drama in Dharamsala and captain Shahid Afridi's controversial statement aside, Pakistan lock horns with Bangladesh at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday in game 14 of the ICC World Twenty20.
Pakistan would be looking to take the revenge for the loss to Bangladesh in the recently concluded Asia Cup where they were defeated by five wickets. On the other hand Bangladesh, riding high on the red-hot form of their opener Tamim Iqbal, would want to extend their winning streak in Twenty20 internationals.The way Bangladesh cricket is taking shape, especially in the shortest version of the game, it seems it will not be easy for Afridi's Pakistan.
Bangladesh, who could not make it to the Super 10 by virtue of their lower T20I rankings at the time of cut-off, entered the second phase of the tournament undefeated. They won their first qualifier against Netherlands by eight runs, had to endure a washout with Ireland then and then against Oman it was Tamim who blasted an unbeaten 63-ball 103 to almost single-handedly win the match.
Captain Mashrafe Mortaza's team appears to have more self-belief than ever before. Three in-form batsmen - Tamim, Shabbir Rehman and Mahmadullah - are capable of giving jitters to any top team of the world. Their main worry is a lack of depth, as they have to win three of four matches to make it to the semi-finals.
Opener Tamim, who is in sublime touch with scores of 83*, 47, 103* runs in the qualifiers, has been well supported by Shakib Al Hasan who claimed a career-best 4/15 in the win over Oman. The Tigers topped their group in the qualifying round and joined India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Australia. Bangladesh head into this match with a 2-0 advantage over Pakistan in the last 12 months, having beaten them in the Asia Cup and last year.
Pakistan, with the return of left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir, have got a shot in the arm as he has made room for himself after spot-fixing ban. His superb spell to the Indian batsman in Dhaka recently will not fade from memory anytime soon, and Amir's return has strengthened a pace attack already comprising Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Irfan. The 2009 World T20 champions will bank on the trio do the job for them as batting has never been the team's strength.
Speaking about Amir, Afridi had said a couple of days back that "he is the best for me". Since his return to international cricket after a five-year ban for spot fixing, Amir has hit a purple patch and would want to carry it in this tournament and live up to his tag of being his captain's "best".
Teams (from):
Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (capt), Ahmed Shehzad, Anwar Ali, Imad Wasim, Khalid Latif, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Sami, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Sharjeel Khan, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz
Bangladesh: Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), Shakib Al Hasan (Vice-Captain), Abu Hider, Al-Amin Hossain, Arafat Sunny, Mahmudullah, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mustafizur Rahman, Nasir Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Sabbir Rahman, Soumya Sarkar, Tamim Iqbal, Taskin Ahmed.