BAN vs PAK: Bangladesh's Predicted Playing XI vs Pakistan, 2nd T20I

Bangladesh are set to play the second of the three-match T20 international series against Pakistan on Saturday at Shere Bangla National Stadium. Their batsmen had a forgettable day in the first game of the series. However, the bowling attack fought brilliantly and made a match out of a low-scoring total.

However, Pakistan, in the end, had the last laugh, winning the game by 4 wickets. Ahead of the second T20 international, they would look to bounce back strongly. Here’s a look at our predicted playing 11 of Bangladesh for the second T20 international against Pakistan.

BAN vs PAK: Bangladesh’s Predicted Playing XI vs Pakistan, 2nd T20I

Openers: M Naim and Saif Hassan

M Naim was one of the standout batsmen for Bangladesh in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. However, he got out early for 1 off 3 in the first T20 international against Pakistan. He would be keen to exhibit a strong show with the bat in the next game. Saif Hassan played his debut T20 international on Friday against Bangladesh.

He scored just 1 run off 8 deliveries. However, it’s unlikely that he would be dropped just after one bad performance. The management must persist with him and give confidence to the youngster.

Middle-Order: Shanto, Afif Hussain, Nurul Hassan and Mahuddullah

In the absence of Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim, the likes of Afif Hussain (36 off 34) and Nurul Hasan (28 off 22) played crucial knocks in the first T20 international. Shanto (7 off 14) and Mahmudulllah Riyad (6 off 11), however, got out cheaply.

The duo should look to make telling contributions with the bat if Bangladesh fancy a chance against Pakistan in the second T20 international on Saturday.

All-rounders: Mahedi Hasan and Aminul Islam

Mahedi Hasan has time and again shown how important is in Bangladesh’s T20 unit. He gives the required depth in the batting unit and is also a brilliant spinner. Coming in at number 7 in the last game, Mahedi Hasan played an outstanding 30-run knock off 20 balls to help the team post a reasonable total on the board.

He was also brilliant with the ball, picking 1 for 17 in 4 overs. Aminul Islam should be retained as the second all-rounder. He wasn’t used much with the ball in the last game. The skipper should look to make full use of his potential.

Bowlers: Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and Mustafizur Rahman

All three bowlers were brilliant in the last game. Taskin Ahmed picked the important wickets of Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, while Mustafizur accounted for the wicket of M Rizwan. Shoriful also picked a wicket and gave 31 runs in his 4 overs.

However, despite that, Bangladesh lost the match. All three fought hard to give their team the best chance to win the game. However, there weren’t enough runs on the board, to be honest. Bangladesh are unlikely to drop anyone out of the three.