Afridi rescue for Pakistan from Bangla shock

The ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka has gone surprisingly according to the form book. 

Teams with upset-creating potential  - Ireland, Afghanistan - have been swept aside relatively easily. 

Teams known to hit self-destruct have avoided the button, the West Indies for example. 

And of course, Pakistan. 

Which is why today’s match against Bangladesh could provide the shock the World T20 was expecting.

Bangladesh knows all about shocks.

They began the inaugural 2007 World Twenty20 in South Africa on a sensational note when they knocked the West Indies out of the tournament with a six-wicket victory, qualifying for the second round. 

Pakistan can still not make the Super 8s and sometimes, just knowing that possibility exists creates all kind of pressure. 

Also, Bangladesh are known fighters and will enjoy nothing more than the knowledge that they denied the dark horses to win the title, the chance to progress.

Today at the Pallekele, Pakistan have to be very careful to avoid this banana skin.

A big win for Bangladesh could eliminate the 2009 winners.

Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez says his team will not take the opposition lightly.

“We are not thinking that we have already qualified, we have to win against Bangladesh.

“They have lost their first match so they will come down hard on us. We are not going to take Bangladesh lightly,” said Hafeez as his side worked out at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan’s 13-run victory over New Zealand in the opening match does not assure them a spot.

This is the kind of match tailor-made for a Shahid Afridi performance. 

Bangladesh will look to Mushfiqur Rahim Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan, all capable of winning matches on their own. 

Verdict: Bangladesh to win, but not by a big enough margin to stop Pakistan going to Super 8s