'Pakistan's slump can't take shine off Bangladesh win'

Resurgent Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal says his team's performance in the World Cup was no flash in the pan and termed the series win over Pakistan as a testament to the vast strides the Tigers had made since being awarded the Test status.

Iqbal, who scored back-to-back hundreds in the first two ODIs against Pakistan, also rubbished suggestions that Azhar Ali's side was a second-string line up which there for the taking.

“This [ the series win] proves that we are improving and we are ready to take another step. So I am really happy from the aspect of a team.”

“Pakistan may be a little inexperienced with regards to the batting, but if you see their bowling attack, they can match the best in the world. We are improving and we are ready to take another step. So I am really happy from the aspect of a team,” Iqbal said in response to comments about the quality of the Pakistan side.

Former Pakistan batting great Javed Miandad echoed Iqbal's words and said while Bangladesh had turned a corner, Pakistan was at its “lowest point”.

“Losing to Bangladesh is the lowest point but if we do not take big measures our cricket will decline further,” Miandad said.

The 57-year-old former captain, who had a short stint with the Tigers as batting consultant in 2002, said it wouldn't harm Pakistan if they took cue from the way Bangladesh had gradually built their side into a competitive unit.

“Bangladesh is not the same Bangladesh they used to be and I think they can now upset any team because they are getting better and better with each day,” he said.

“I did a little bit of coaching in Bangladesh and told them of some basics, like they were weak on short pitch deliveries, and praise to them that they adhered to the basics and now their game is improving day by day.”

Bangladesh ousted higher-ranked England to finish as losing quarter-finalists in the World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand in February-March this year. This was their best ever showing at cricket's premier event.

Former ODI skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, though, defended Pakistan's 'new' team and urged the critics to hold their guns.

“This is a young team and needs more time to improve under a new captain Azhar Ali. Things don't change overnight.”

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Comments (27) Closed

bish

Apr 21, 2015 03:52pm

ZAK your comment :-)

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FARRUKH EJAZ

Apr 21, 2015 04:03pm

Whenever Bangladesh came for batting they played positive and aggresive game even the kept the momentum of loosing for number of years. Eventually they started winning with the same positive attitude and becoming stronger. On the other hand Pakistan team players are negative. Started from Misbah who changed himself at the end of his career. Now we are not allowing him to play and ousting one Misbah we put number of negative batting player who rely on tuk tuk like Azhar Ali,Fawad Alam, Saad Nasim. A new positive player invented is Rizwan who has the style of Umar Akmal as he shuffles for good shots.

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Karam

Apr 21, 2015 04:08pm

I am not trying to cast aspersions on Bangladesh's recent success in ODIs against Pakistan. But as a matter of fact Bangladesh team is not as strong as it appears to be. It is the Pakistani team which has grown weaker during the past few years and that is why Bangladesh team looks stronger.

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Gina

Apr 21, 2015 04:09pm

Out of top 3 bowlers Hafeez can't ball, Ajmal and Junaid came after long break with new action and injury.

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Enamul Kabir, Dhaka

Apr 21, 2015 04:13pm

Agree with Tamim. There are so many talented players with the Pak team at present. Some of them might be inexperienced.. but that's not a big deal for Pak. They have ability to win over any team in the world.

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ailly

Apr 21, 2015 04:23pm

one thing for sure indeed, Bangladesh is the only ICC member who are languishing at the bottom ever since their induction in Test Elite nations... what matters most is their performance in Tests which will show their mettle... indeed they outplayed Pak in both ODIS but tell me how many greats have emerged by performing alone in ODIS and not in tests ?. its a phase BD is going through ... they are playing a decent cricket not world beating class for which they need to learn how to cease big moments in big matches. am sure sooner they will learn. but how soon ? until now they have not been impressive at all in test against any nation. so be it, congs to BD for beating Pak in ODIs.

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amar rana

Apr 21, 2015 04:29pm

Now is that an excuse for the loss,that Bangla is playing better than pak,when are you going to improve,and change your mindset.

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Naveed,USA

Apr 21, 2015 05:39pm

Let's see how Bangladesh plays against other teams e.g. Aus,Eng,SA,SL in away series,not home series,if they put up same performance as they have done against Pakistan in the home series.I would be convinced that they have really improved. Yes,I agree with Tamil that Pakistan bowling is stronger,they should have performed, everybody is pointing figures at batting-which is no good at all-the bowlers are giving away too many runs,they are unable to put pressure on the batsmen,I feel they have forgotten line and length,whatever the target is they should have fought to defend it but Bagladeshi batsmen scored against them freely and easily.

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bimalwilliam

Apr 21, 2015 05:52pm

I believe Pak bowling attack is better than BD, but the batting has to be improved.If you fail to score 300+ it is difficult to put pressure on your opposition. At least last 2 matches have shown that. Azhar Ali is not best choice as captain. He is too young too handle the pressure.

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Ali (CA)

Apr 21, 2015 07:33pm

I hope Pakistan keep loosing for the sake for the nation. The nation waste too much time and energy in watching cricket. We need shorter games to be given more coverage by the media. Nation needs another favourite which takes less time to watch.

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rokibd

Apr 21, 2015 08:21pm

ha ha ha

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Hindutavi Rakshas

Apr 21, 2015 08:27pm

Well done Bangladesh.

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Mosharuf

Apr 21, 2015 08:29pm

i agreed with Tamim Pakistani bowling always world class.

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Mosharuf

Apr 21, 2015 08:31pm

i agreed with Tamim Pakistani bowling always world class.

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Truth

Apr 21, 2015 08:33pm

This is the most inexperienced Pakistan side ever.

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Haider Rehman

Apr 21, 2015 08:35pm

Azhar didn't trust his openers, how could Pakistan win? Azhar needs to have confidence in his team, as well as team needs to trust itself.

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Sand

Apr 21, 2015 08:47pm

Pak bowling one of the best in the world??? Someone must either be kidding or be out of their mind to say that. Jhonson, Starc, Hazelwood, Cummins, Boult, Southee, Vettori, Morkel, Tahir,Steyn, Philander, Rubel... These are the top bowlers of the world.. the only one who can qualify JM's statement is Tahir. Sensational statement for two good overs in the world cup that Pak bowled.

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Mandeep

Apr 21, 2015 09:02pm

BD has not improved as much but Pakistan has definitely declined. As the room for cheating which included doping, bowling actions, ball tempering, has become smaller and smaller, Pakistan will struggle to produce any world class spinner or fast bowler in future. Batting and fielding were never their strengths in last 2 decades. So it is shape of things to come.

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Sridhar

Apr 21, 2015 09:56pm

People like to oversimplify their explanations as to why their favorite team won or lost. Reasons cannot spelt in black and white. Bangladesh did not win because Pakistanis are weak. Neither did Bangladesh win because they are infinitely superior. The two teams are going through a phase where they are passing each other while they are changing one from better to worse and another from worse to better. It is all par for the course and par for life. It is all cyclical. One of these days the teams ill be moving in exactly opposite directions. Just enjoy the game without beating on one's chest. The sky is not falling down!

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XYZ-Indian

Apr 21, 2015 10:24pm

Please get in Akmal brothers , Hafiz top the order , your have solid bowling line, It is good that Misbah has gone, it is good for Pakistan cricket.

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Mandeep

Apr 22, 2015 12:03am

@Naveed,USA YOu worry about your team, and not BD. Pakistan's mediocrity is exposed. You dont have any 20 year or so talented batsman or bowler.

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BNS

Apr 22, 2015 03:21am

Well done. You played really well. You earned the vistory, not just got it.

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Sabit

Apr 22, 2015 06:38am

Pakistan need to change their disasterous line up to survive at the top level. Pak should pick experienced players like S.Malik, kamran and gradually include youngstars like rizwan,nasim. Shehzad and Umar Akmal must be included to revive pak cricket as they have played so many games and won for the team through their aggressive batting.let them play freely. The final eleven should be- 1.Kamran 2.Shehzad 3.Hafeez 4.Shoaib Malik 5.Umar Akmal 6.Shoaib Maqsood 7.Saad Nasim 8.Wahaa Riaz 9.Imran khan/Umar Gul 10.Junaid Khan 11.Zulfiqar babar.

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Enamul Kabir, Dhaka

Apr 22, 2015 08:50am

@Karam I am not trying to cast aspersions on Bangladesh's recent success in ODIs against Pakistan. Hahaha.. even if u try (u've already tried that), the fact won't change. its very interesting how a team is "not as strong as it appears to be!!". It seems u have some personal grudges with BD. Never mind my friend. Look, no one is claiming that BD has gone above every team. Its that, BD has made some commendable progress in last couple of years and is still in progress, as the Lankans did during 1993-5.. Pak is passing its bad days, but for sure, it will come back.

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talukd3r

Apr 22, 2015 02:10pm

@Naveed,USA hy,navid just before played against big team in their field we have to give chances....

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Muhammad

Apr 22, 2015 09:04pm

I am happy for BAN team they deserved it. PAK team doesn't even play up to the basic standard of first class so no excuses like new team or junior this is all lame excuse. you should not be part of PAK team if not up to the standard regardless drop a simple catch is not acceptable.

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Sarah

Apr 22, 2015 10:25pm

@FARRUKH EJAZ The only problem is that Azhar Ali is batting with 47.80 Average in ODI and Rizwan averages only 28.00 after 3 matches.So I would go with Azhar Ali rather than aggressive Rizwan.It was due to failure of Rizwan ,Fawad,Hafeez that score could not reach the height it was expected to.

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