Tough task ahead for Pakistan

Bangladesh gave tough time to Pakistan before going down fighting in the final one-dayer that helped the visitors make a 3-0 clean sweep but they did not allow opponents to play complete 50 overs and bundled them out for 176 in 47th over of the game. And at earlier stages of the game they kept Pakistan bowlers at bay as Shahriar Nafees and Mahmudullah kept Bangladesh on track to achieve the target but a floodlight failure disturbed their concentration and brought about a power-shift towards Pakistan's spinners. Bangladesh crumbled quickly from then, losing their last nine wickets for 50 runs. Misbahul Haq won six one-day series in this year and better his own record of one-day victories but Pakistan will face tough time in the Test series as Bangladesh will prepare wickets suited to hosts bowlers to win the Test series. Pakistan took final one-day and their this leniency could have cost them the match and spoiled their effort of making clean sweep but everything went against Bangladesh and Misbah and co proved lucky enough to snatch the match easily in the end. In the context of the struggle faced by the batsmen from either side, the stand of 94 between Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal proved the difference. It will be imperative for Pakistan to chalk out strategy to combat Bangladeshi spinners in the Test series and if they fail to do so then the series can tilt the other way. Bangladesh had an opportunity to end a losing streak against Pakistan that has lasted 12 years but the spinners of visiting team were good enough to put the target of 178 far out of their reach. The track was tailored to suit Bangladesh's strength but it backfired since they didn't have the batsmen capable of sticking it out long enough to entertain thoughts of earning a consolation win. Pakistan though took the series 3-0, but not without some sweat. Bangladesh lost Tamim Iqbal on the first ball, the pressure was on Bangladesh, with a slip and short leg and the new balls turning and bouncing. Nafees and Mahmudullah pair gave Bangladesh the edge with a stand of 69, played sweep shots off Abdur Rehman and cuts off Shahid Afridi. But in the final stages Shoaib Malik grabbed three wickets with his off-spin and sent Bangladeshis packing. Talha, Azhar Ali, Adnan Akmal and Taufiq Umar have left for Bangladesh to join the Pakistan team for Test series starting from Friday (tomorrow). Pakistan team management and captain should chalk out plan in the team meeting prior to start of the first Test if they want to win the series against the Bangal Tigers and play under the same plan if they want to win the Test series. If they fail to do so then they can fall prey to spinning wickets as the hosts will prepare the pitches suited to them and the opponents can snatch upset victory against Pakistan where the ball will turn, uneven bounce. They should have to apply themselves and play with dedication to combat the turn and uneven bounce of the wicket during the Test series.