MULTAN, April 15: Having already taken an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the series and with Mohammad Asif back in their ranks, Pakistan are expected to keep the momentum when they meet Bangladesh in the fourth One-day International here at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

Though an inexperienced Bangladesh have enhanced their show after every game on the testing tour, the visitors have failed to stop Pakistan from taking the winning lead in the third ODI at Lahore on Sunday.

As the morale of touring batsmen is high after piling up 285 while chasing a formidable target of 309 in the third one-dayer, Asif’s return is set to trouble their camp further.

Asif, after recovering from an elbow injury, will make his appearance in international cricket after six-month absence.

The meticulous right-arm paceman is likely to have the support of Umar Gul and Sohail Khan as Rao Iftikhar and Sohail Tanvir may not be included for today’s game.

So far Pakistan have used four fast bowlers in the series — Umar, Rao, Sohail Tanvir and Sohail Khan, and two spinners — Shahid Afridi and captain Shoaib Malik.

Afridi has led the bowling attack with eight wickets in three matches, followed by Sohail Tanvir (six wickets), Rao (five) and Umar (one wicket in two matches).

“I can’t say that Asif’s inclusion can restrict Bangladesh to a low total. However, I would like to say that his comeback will create an atmosphere of positive competition among the fast bowlers,” Shoaib Malik said.

“Though we have won the series I will not predict for a whitewash as we are concentrating on each game separately; and so our priority is now the fourth game,” the captain said.

Shoaib said the pitch was wet, hoping it would be dried up before the start of the match. “We will finalise our playing eleven before the start of the match,” he said.

However, he hinted a couple of changes for Wednesday’s game.

Bangladesh skipper Ashraful, meanwhile, said his players were improving in every game after learning from their mistakes, expecting another better set of performances from his team on Wednesday.

About his own poor form in the series, Ashraful said he would try his best to play his due role. Ashraful has totalled just 47 runs in the three matches played so far with scores of 9, 16 and 22.

Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons said there could be one change in the tourists’ playing eleven, without disclosing who would be given the chance.

So far Nazimuddin and Junaid Siddique have not got any chance in the series.

The day-night match will start at 3pm Pakistan time.

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