Bangladesh head coach Steve Rhodes feels the underdogs tag could help them when they take on Pakistan in the virtual semi-final at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
“Pakistan, let’s be honest, will be the favourites for this contest but that puts us in a nice position,” he said on the eve of the final Super Four encounter. “They know we are a dangerous team. To go into the game as a slight underdog, we can really make that work for us.”
“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,” said Rhodes.
“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.”
Bangladesh’s biggest problem has been the form of their openers. After Tamim Iqbal fractured his wrist in the first match, the opening duo of Liton Das and Nazmul Hossain have failed to make any impact. Das managed to score 41 in the last match against Afghanistan but it came after scores of 0, 6 and 7 in his first three matches. Meanwhile Hossain, who replaced Tamim in the XI, only has 20 runs to his name in three outings at an average of 6.67.
“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,” said Rhodes.
