Eden Gardens, Kolkata is a holy place for any cricket lovers. Bangladesh has already played and performed at Lords and MCG. But Eden Gardens has not seen it Mashrafee squad roaring like hungry royal Bengals. In the evening thousands of adoring Bangla speaking cricket admirers may have the occasion when Bangladesh plays its T20 world Cup match against Pakistan.

In recent times Bangladesh white washed Pakistan in bilateral ODI and T20 series and beat them in Asia Cup T20 tournament .One current form Bengal tigers looks more competitive and better team .In our opinion Bangladesh starts as favorite . Tweeting tigers are expected to start their mission T20 world cup in style.

The best debutant of 2015 Mustafizur Rahman is expected to join the very lethal pace attack of Taskin, Al Amin and Mashrafee. The ICC top all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is back in his groove with both bat and the ball, Arafat Sunny the tricky trekker is still available, Tamim and Shabbir are in blistering form, magical Mahmudullah is there for smashing a few .Bangladesh cricket team is basking in the sunshine

Moreover, in Eden Gardens Bangladesh will be blessed with thousands of Bangla speaking cricket fans cheering for them. The ground is expected to turn into home away from home for the Bangladeshis.

In cricket in T20 matches anything can happen. Any batsman or any bowler at any stage of the game can turn the tide. It is not that Pakistan with bowlers like Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz or batsmen like Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafiz or Umar Akmal are mere push over.

Bangladesh will still have to produce their A game. Bangladeshi batsmen have to deal with the brilliance of Mohammad Amir.

Dhamashala environment was completely unknown for Bangladesh. Yet they played like champions in their qualifying matches .Eden Garden atmosphere will be much similar to Dhaka and Bangladesh. It is home ground of KKR the team where Tiger Shakib is a star. We are sure thousands of Bangladeshis will be there, thousands of Bangla speaking fans from West Bengal will join in the chorus. Bangladesh will

have shot in their arms.

Opener Tamim Iqbal and number three batsman Sabbir are in prolific form. Soumya fancies batting against Pakistan. Top three have to give rollicking start .They must deal with Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Irfan with diligence .Shakib has indicated getting back into his brilliant form, Mushfique is just one innings away of his best , Mahmudullah is performing his finishers role aptly.

We do not think Pakistan has five international quality bowlers now to cause headache for Bangladesh now.

To be more specific Bangladesh has to contain Amir only. Afridi in his twilight is no longer a threat. Eden garden is a huge ground. I do not think other than Shakib anyone of this team played there.

Bangladeshis have experience of playing in front of huge cheering fans shouting in full throttle. A win here will make tigers instant heroes.

The cutter master, little genius Mustafiz may be the key. Him joining the strong Bangladesh pace trio Taskin, Al Amin and Mashrafee will give Bangladesh the edge. Pakistan in recent times has issues with their top and middle order batting.

If Bangladesh bowlers manages to strike early they may wrap up Pakistan innings for not too many .Then Bangladesh has the batting to overhaul even 140 -150 if they chase .But Bangladeshis will be better served winning the toss and batting. They may defend 150 with their lethal bowling attack and razor sharp fielding.  Bangladesh is definitely the better balanced side than Pakistan at this moment.

But all these must not make Bangladesh complement. Pakistan is still the most unpredictable team. Someday they are brilliant other day they are most ordinary. It will depend which Pakistan appear today at Eden Gardens. The senior professionals Tamim, Shakib, Mushfique and Mahmudullah will have to raise their hands and deliver.

A win today will put the winning team in far better position in the group of death where favorite India has already suffered a loss to flying Kiwis.

Probable Teams:

Bangladesh: Nasir Hossain will be more utility player for his all-round ability.

Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar , Sabbir Khan , Shakib Al Hasan , Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riad ,

Nasir Hossain, Mashrafee Bin Murtaza , Taskin Ahmed, Al Amin Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman.

Pakistan:

We are not sure about the extent of injury of Mohammad Sami.

Ahmed Shehzad, Sarjil Khan, Mohammad Hafiz , Shaoib Malik, Umar Akmal , Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shahid

Khan Afridi, Imad Wasim , Mohammad Amir , Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Irfan .

We heard the match is already sold out .Let us hope that the team maintaining its composure win. We know these days’ tigers love to win and win only.

Misty Doi and Macher Jhol will get dearer in Kolkata toady.

BDST: 0927 HRS, MAR 16, 2016
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