Knocked out teams aim to finish on a high

With the finalists already decided, Pakistan and Bangladesh look for a consolation victory as they clash in an inconsequential match on Monday

Pakistan have lost both their games in close encounters. In the first game against Sri Lanka, the batting failed while against India, the batting improved a bit but the bowling could not sustain the pressure. They have been good in bits and pieces and skipper Afridi would be looking for one final team performance ahead of their series against Australia next month in England. In spite of successive losses, this Pakistani team looks in good shape with their problems nearly solved. Afridi has led from the front proving his maturity. Shoaib Akhtar has been quick but has not been quite able to pick up wickets. However, the most concerning problem would be the fielding, as catches are being put down with alarming regularity.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, suffered comprehensive back-to-back defeats at the hand of India and Sri Lanka. They started this year on a positive note against the same teams, but the tour to England exposed their fragile batting order which collapses once the openers are dismissed. Tamim Iqbal seems to be in the form of his life but one just gets the feeling that sometimes he just throws his wicket away. The spinners are getting lesser and lesser effective by the day with the only bowler posing any threat being the skipper Shakib. However, the tours to New Zealand and England brought about the blossoming of Shafiul Islam who is able to generate good pace to trouble the batsmen. Like Pakistan, they too, would be touring England in the month of July to play an ODI series against the Poms and would be looking to finish what has been a very poor tournament on a high.

Pakistan have a Castrol Index of 173 while Bangladesh have earned 99 so far. Though the former is far ahead on nearly all fronts, the Bangladeshis have done well in the Quick Start Overs with the bat as that is the time when Tamim and Kayes have been good throughout this competition. Pakistan start as favourites but if the Bangladeshi batting order manage to get the form they were earlier this year, they could very well cause an upset.