November 26, 2007	Monday	Ziqa’ad 15, 1428

HYDERABAD, Nov 25: Pakistan under-19 will take on Bangladesh at the Niaz Stadium in the opener of the one-day series on Monday with the home side determined to avenge defeat of a U-19 World Cup match while the visitors wanted to begin the series with a convincing win.

Pakistan skipper Immad Wasim told journalists that his side was confident to give tough time to the visitors who were undoubtedly one of the best U-19 sides in the world.

“We want to avenge last World Cup’s defeat,” Immad told Dawn.

He avoided commenting on the exclusion of local player Azeem Ghumman from the squad, saying it was selectors’ job.

16-year-old Azeem is a right-handed batsman and a useful leg-break bowler.

Chief Selector Naushad was not present during the press briefing to explain Ghumman’s exclusion.

Even media coordinator Raza Rashid was confused to respond to the media’s queries. He offered the journalists a separate session with the chief selector only to forget it later.

The only Test of the series between Pakistan and Bangladesh ended in a draw in Karachi and according to Immad it indicated that the two sides were balanced.

The skipper said the series would provide a good opportunity to both the sides to prepare themselves for coming U-19 World Cup which would be held in Malaysia.

He said the wicket was flat with little moisture and it would support batsmen.

Pakistan plans to begin the series opener with three pacers, two spinners and six batsmen and it seems to be the same combination the Bangladesh is likely to put in place. Bangladesh had nets in the evening. The second one day will also be played at the same venue on Wednesday.

A confident Immad said that Pakistan U-19 side, in recently concluded series, defeated Australia and England.

“Although Pakistan is a tough side we want to begin the series with a comprehensive win in the opening match,” Bangladesh’s skipper Sohraward said.

He said the conditions were new to them but his batsmen and bowlers would adjust to them.

“The outfield is slow and the match will be an interesting encounter,” he remarked.

It will be the first match between the two teams at the Niaz Stadium after the PCB secured control of the ground.

Teams (from):

PAKISTAN: Adil Raza, Ahmed Shehzad, Ali Asad, Immad Wasim (captain), Junaid Khan, Jibran Khan, Junaid Nadir, Kamran Hussain, Mohammad Rameez, Shahzaib Ahmed, Shan Masood, Umar Amin, Usman Salahuddin, Omer Akmal, M. Rizwan, Umair Meer.

BANGLADESH: Tamim Iqbal Khan, Dollar Mahmud, Sohrawardi (captain), Marshall Ayub, M. Ashraful Aziz Sujan, Mahmudul Hasan Limon, Mithun, Nasir Hossain Nasir, Syed Gulam Kibriya, K. M. Shakil, Shubhashis, Rox, Zabid Hossain, Md.Rubel Hossain, Rony Talakdar.