Having lost the low-scoring opening T20 International to Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on Friday, Bangladesh would be hoping to bounce back quickly when the second game of the three-match series is played at the same venue later on Saturday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite having several news faces in the side from the one that played the ICC T20 World Cup, Bangladesh put up a gritty show against the tourists. But despite being reduced to 24\/4, the Babar Azam-led side reached the target with only four deliveries left.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bangladesh will be hoping it is not an emerging pattern, given they were in a winning position against Sri Lanka and West Indies in the T20 World Cup before falling away.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The bowlers did their job in Friday's game, but given how the batters crumbled in the first T20I, Mahmudullah might be looking to ring in the changes to strengthen a batting order that was far too conservative in their approach on a good batting surface.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan, on the other hand, seem to have put the semifinal loss in the T20 World Cup behind them as they showed tremendous determination to win a game from a difficult situation. Despite the rare failure of the top order, the middle and lower order put their hands up to give Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan will be looking to seal the series in the second game so that they can test their bench strength in the final T20I against Bangladesh. Though it was not a perfect victory for Pakistan, it is unlikely that Azam will tinker with his line-up for the second T20I.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"The wicket was a bit difficult, not easy to bat on. So the credit goes to our middle order -- Fakhar, Khushdil and how Nawaz finished (the opening T20I). We could have bowled them earlier, we ended up conceding 15-20 runs extra but that happens in cricket," said Azam.<\/p>\r\n\r\n