All-rounder Sakib al Hasan has missed a few matches through injury over the last couple of years, but never have Bangladesh wanted him back as desperately as they do in this Asia Cup.
The Tigers will be looking for the return of their ace-all-rounder to turn their fortunes around as they take on Pakistan in a crucial fixture at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today.
Sakib completed his three-match ban, which he received for a lewd gesture on live television during the second one-day international against Sri Lanka, and is now ready to return to the side for the Pakistan match.
His absence was conspicuous in the first two matches, which both ended up in defeat. Bangladesh missed him dearly during their match against tournament minnows Afghanistan, who posted a shock 32-run win.
The Afghans recovered from 90-5 to post 254-6 before bundling the hosts out for 222.
Many cricket analysts said that if Sakib was in the team, Bangladesh could have asserted their authority.
Even if they had failed, Sakib would have given them some much-needed solidity in the middle-order, which was badly needed in the game.
Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim noted that Sakib’s inclusion usually also gives him some much-needed flexibility in team selection.
‘I think his inclusion will certainly help,’ Mushfiq told reporters on Monday. ‘If he is in the team we can play an extra bowler or batsman, taking the pitch condition into account.’
Sakib, arguably the best cricketer that Bangladesh has ever produced, has been one of the dominant forces behind most of the success the Tigers have achieved during his career.
The talented all-rounder’s 164 ODI wickets tie him with Mashrafee bin Murtaza for second in Bangladesh history, trailing only Abdur Razzak with 205.
His aggressive batting style and wide range of strokes have yielded 3715 runs in ODIs – the most by a Bangladeshi batsman.
Further, Sakib has shown an uncanny knack for being successful on big occasions, like the last Asia Cup, when he scored 273 runs and grabbed six wickets to help Bangladesh unexpectedly reach the final.
He nearly won the tournament for the Tigers, scoring 66 runs in 64 balls after takking 2-41 against Pakistan in the final.
‘Sakib will strengthen our team and the pressure on me will be much lower,’ admitted Mushfiq, whose request to reduce Sakib’s ban was turned down by the BCB.
‘When I come to bat, I can think after me there is Sakib and Nasir to accompany the lower-order,’ he said.
Mushfiq insisted Sakib is ready
to move on after his suspension and is fully committed to the team’s cause.
‘The way he practiced in the last couple of days, I am confident he will put up his contribution,’ he added.
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq is also aware that his side will not have the benefit of facing a Bangladeshi side missing their premium all-rounder.
‘I think one of their main players, Sakib, will come back against us. So we are not relaxed,’ said Misbah.
-With New Age input
