Pakistan aims to continue winning streak in 3-nation one-day series
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DHAKA, Bangladesh: Pakistan must overcome the absence of troubled pacemen Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Akhtar when it aims to extend its 11-match winning streak in limited overs cricket against host Bangladesh on Sunday.
The teams will clash in the opening match of a three-nation one-day series also involving India.
"We have won 11 games in a row, and we want to continue that," Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik told reporters earlier in the Bangladesh capital. "We are looking forward to a good series. Everyone is fit and in good form."
Malik added that the absence of ace fast bowlers Mohammad Asif, who was dropped from the squad after being arrested in Dubai for allegedly carrying an illegal substance, and Shoaib Akhtar, who is serving a five-year international ban for repeated disciplinary breaches, could be overcome.
"We still have a decent bowling attack in Sohail Tanvir, Omar Gul, Sohail Khan and Iftikhar Anjum," Malik said.
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Led by Malik and coach Geoff Lawson, a 16-member Pakistan squad arrived Friday in Dhaka.
Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful, meanwhile, said his side is aiming for improvement against its neighbors. It has won only one match each against Pakistan and India in the past nine years.
"We want to be competitive and show improvement in this series," Ashraful said.
The first match will be a day-night contest at Mirpur's Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium on the outskirts of Dhaka.
Pakistan will meet archrival India on Tuesday, while Bangladesh face the latter on Thursday. The final is scheduled for June 14.
"India recently won a series against Australia in Australia, so their confidence is high. But we also have to take Bangladesh seriously as they are playing in their home conditions," said Malik.
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