Whichever one may call it pathetic confident Bangladesh is going to get a series clean sweep over Pakistan even if goes business as usual. We are observing that two massive defeats of the Pakistan team by Bangladesh have infuriated several Pakistani cricket players of the past.

They are taking Pakistan cricket think tank to cleaners. They are thinking losing to Bangladesh is still an upset or an all-time low for Pakistan. True Bangladesh did not win matches against Pakistan in any format over the last 16 years after that historic world cup win in 1999.

But has not Bangladesh steadily advanced over the last several years not to be taken seriously? Player to player based on international experience , individual quality , depth of batting and bowling , fielding level where Bangladesh team now lag behind Pakistan?

In the ICC World Cup 2015 both Pakistan and Bangladesh finished as losing quarter finalists. Bangladesh impressed the cricket world with positive display in almost every match playing entertaining cricket.

Bangladesh knocked out England and competed well against strong New Zealand. There could be keener contest in the quarter final against India if some controversial umpiring decisions did not go against Bangladesh. Pakistan had a very strong bowling unit and won matches against South Africa and bowled well against Australia.

In their matches Pakistan hardly batted well as a team but their strong bowling made them competitive. Two of their main batsmen Misbah and Afridi retired and some key players like Ahmed Shehzad and Umer Akmal were not considered for Bangladesh tour.

Instead the selectors made Azhar Ali captain of the side who was not even in World Cup team. Experienced Mohammad Hafiz returned but can only bat. Half of their world cup squad for different reasons are not in Bangladesh tour. There are several debutants and some players who have very little international experience. The bowling retained most of the pace ball attack, Saeed Ajmal has just started come back with reconstructed bowling action. Absence of Shahid Afridi and Hafiz not able to bowl also makes bowling resources restricted.

Bangladesh on the other hand is playing with their entire world cup squad and moreover enjoying the home condition. Few Bangladesh players like Mashrafee, Mushfique, Shakib, Tamim and Mahamudullah have much greater international experience than most of the Pakistani players.

Shakib and Mahamudullah rightly mentioned Bangladesh as favorites before the series. In two matches Bangladesh performance only justified the reality. Pakistan ex-players have no reasons to feel disgraced. They have lost matches to far better team in many counts.

Now coming back to the possibility of series white wash, Bangladesh already achieved such glory twice against New Zealand and once against Zimbabwe, This Pakistan team is not better than new Zealand team and may be as good as Zimbabwe.

So there will be no surprise if Bangladesh really achieves series white wash which indeed will close the gap significantly with Pakistan and West Indies in ICC ODI ranking Bangladesh meanwhile has announced the squad and is highly unlikely that they will change the winning combination. But there are few areas which need to iron out.

Talented Soumya Sarkar may be still under some nerves. He has all the strokes and plays them to perfection. But in two matches he appeared in a hurry. With series already won and his more illustrated partner Tamim in prime form he should relax a bit. Bangladesh lower middle order did not get much opportunity to bat. What happens if law of average catch up with Tamim and Mushfique. We hope not. But It will be interesting to see how they perform if need to. But with the quality of Pakistani attack and state of the wicket it is highly unlikely that the entire Bangladesh will need to bat. But there is enough depth and quality in batting for not worrying about.

Mashrafee has to decide what must be his bowling combination at batting power play. We really did not like Pakistan letting off the hook from 77/5 and Sad Nasim –Wahab Riaz blasting the bowling in the last 10 overs. Some deep thoughts are essential. Mohammad Hafiz and Fawad Alam are also due for their trade mark innings. We must guard against that as well.

But all symptom is emerging that Bangladesh will achieve a series white wash .That will carry them to the rest of the series –T 20 and two tests in much better stead. Bangladesh will also have ideal preparation for other major series against India , South Africa and Australia.

Let us not get carried away .Pakistan can still bounce back strongly.

BDST: 1024 HRS, APR 21, 2015
AKA