Bangladesh have once more chosen to chase in Dhaka, Mehidy Hasan Miraz winning the toss and asking Pakistan to bat first in the second ODI. A home victory today would clinch the three-match series with a game to spare after Wednesday’s comprehensive success.
Mehidy resisted any temptation to shuffle a side that rolled Pakistan for 114 two days ago. “The line-up’s doing its job; no need to change what’s working,” he told the host broadcaster.
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi acknowledged the opener had been “a poor outing” but backed the same batters to respond. The only adjustment comes in the attack: Haris Rauf’s pace replaces Abrar Ahmed’s wrist-spin. Afridi explained, “We feel the extra speed up front gives us the best chance on this surface.”
The pitch carries a light sheen of grass yet is expected to slow later, a factor that influenced both skippers. Bangladesh will again look for early breakthroughs from Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed before turning to their spinners. Pakistan, meanwhile, need a solid start from the top three to avoid exposing a middle order that struggled badly last time out.
Bangladesh XI
Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), Towhid Hridoy, Afif Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana
Pakistan XI
Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, Shamyl Hussain, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Hussain Talat, Abdul Samad, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi (capt), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Haris Rauf
First ball is due at 10.30am local time, weather permitting, with the forecast hinting at humidity but little threat of rain.
