Mashrafe hopes to ride on ODI form

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza hopes that their ODI form can rub off on the solitary T20 against Pakistan on Friday. However, Bangladesh are still some way away from becoming a highly-regarded T20 side, which Mashrafe feels Pakistan are.

Bangladesh's eleven wins in this format have been spread over nine years. Although they qualified for the main competition of the World T20 last year, they were humiliated by Hong Kong in the qualifying stage and lost all their matches in the main round. Their only match in the format since the World T20 last year was washed out, while the BCB last hosted a domestic T20 tournament in December 2013.

Mashrafe said that Bangladesh's lack of experience in T20s is a major hindrance. He said that they lacked a big hitter down the order while Shakib Al Hasan, inarguably Bangladesh's most sought-after T20 player, needs helping hands in the bowling department.

"We can hope for a win tomorrow especially seeing how our batsmen and bowlers are doing their job," Mashrafe said. "But if we are looking to raise a genuine T20 team, we have to get rid of our shortcomings. We need an extraordinary hitter at No 7 or 8. We need more good bowlers to work along with Shakib.

"T20 has always been difficult for us. We don't play enough except Shakib. Still we are very confident because the boys are in good touch. We haven't played many matches, neither have we won many against top sides. But I still feel we are equals. If we play like we did in the ODI series, we can win the game."

Mashrafe said that Bangladesh are unable to produce good T20 players because four-day and one-day cricket are given more emphasis in the domestic arena. He said that talent alone is giving him the confidence that they can beat Pakistan on Friday.

"Skill is not a problem because everyone tries to play their natural game. The problem is that we hardly play T20s even at domestic level. We mostly play four-day or one-day cricket, so there is lack of practice. You cannot prepare for T20s as well as you do for Tests and ODIs. We don't have those extraordinary T20 specialists.

"Many of our players like to play shots while we have bowlers like Rubel (Hossain) and Taskin (Ahmed). But we have to rest Rubel for the Test series. If we play more T20s, we can be a better team. We have the ability. At the moment we haven't reached a higher level."

Mashrafe said that Sabbir Rahman is possibly the best hitter in their current line-up while the best batsmen of the ODI series, Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Soumya Sarkar will be handy in T20s.

"Sabbir is a good striker of the ball. Soumya, Tamim and Mushfiqur, despite his size, can play shots. Shakib is there. The problem is that in ODIs and Tests you have time to get set. You can't take more than five-six balls to get set (in T20).

"Lack of match practice is a huge factor. Experience in this format matters. If everyone can play their natural game, we will have a chance. The top four has to do well, at least one of them, if you look at the format's structure."

Mashrafe said that he wants to use only six batsmen. Anything extra is a negative move, he felt. He has placed a lot of trust instead on the fast bowlers, who he thinks will be able to make the difference.

"All T20 teams have six batsmen, but playing eight batsmen is quite a negative move. T20 is also a bowler's game, since they hold the key to winning matches. I don't think we need a spare batsman. But it all depends on our confidence and performers. Playing three pace bowlers is the right decision. We have to keep believing in them."

Mashrafe agreed that Bangladesh remain some way behind Pakistan in T20s. But he is still counting on his form batsmen and bowlers to pull the rug from below the visitors, who have lost a tour match and all three ODIs.

"Shahid Afridi was right [in saying they are a stronger T20 side]. They are playing T20s for a long time, some like Afridi and (Sohail) Tanvir have played in excess of 100 T20s. It would be great if we can perform in the field, and beat their experience."