Bangladesh play to salvage pride, Pakistan looking for a clean sweep

The series which was not supposed to be did not turn up well for Bangladesh. With more than one key player missing in their ranks, the visitors were outplayed by the hosts easily. Bangladesh even could not put up a fight, before conceding the series.

In the third match, this is the last chance for Mahmudullah and his boys to salvage some pride and avoid a humiliating 0-3 walloping in the hands of Pakistan.

More than the results, Bangladesh would be worried about the form of their batters in a year when the World T20I is going to take place.

Batting a major concern for the Tigers

In the two matches Bangladesh played in Lahore, the team's middle-order (4, 5, 6, and 7) amassed a total of 86 runs with an average of just above 10. It is easy to comprehend that Bangladeshi batters could not get going when it mattered.

In the first match, they could only gather 43 runs from 32 balls with only four boundaries. The second match did not improve the stats. Bangladesh lost three wickets within the first eight overs and sank for a lowly 136 runs from their 20 overs.

In terms of boundaries, Bangladeshi batsmen hit a total of 25 boundaries and 6 over boundaries in two matches. 11 of the boundaries came from Tamim Iqbal, who is undoubtedly the best batsman for Bangladesh in the series. He also hit two 6s.

A lot of talk about the pitch

Even though there is tight security everywhere, Lahore greeted Bangladesh with open arms. However, the Lahore pitch was anything but friendly. Tiger Head Coach Russel Domingo criticized the pitch used in the first two matches. He said that it was "average" and "was not easy to bat on". However, scenario is very unlikely to change for the third match. The pitch in Lahore will cater to the bowling side more rather than the batting team. So toss might be vital and if Mahmudullah wins, for a change he might like to bat second.

Bangladesh hopeful for a consolation win

The visitors are hopeful for a win in the last match. While talking to the media, Tiger pacer Shafiul Islam admitted that they made small mistakes in the series.

"We came here with a comparatively young team. We had the ability to beat Pakistan but we made tiny mistakes. We tried our best but you know in T20 matches, small mistakes can cost a lot. "stated Shafiul.

Nevertheless, Bangladesh still want to make a match out of the 3^rd T20I and end the tour on a winning note.

"We came here to win the series. Could not do so but we hope to win the last match." concluded Shafiul.

Possible line up

Bangladesh probably will include the experienced pacer Rubel Hossain in the lineup as well as Nazmul Hossain Shanto. In that case, Soumya Sarker and Al Amin can be benched.

Probable XI: Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Naim Sheikh, Afif Hossain, Mahmudullah ©, Nazmul Hossain, Mohammad Mithun, Aminul Islam, Shafiul Islam, Mustafiqzur Rahman and Rubel Hossain.

On the other hand, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam hinted that the hosts might try out a few freshmen in the last T20I as the series was bagged. Mohammad Musa, Amad Butt and Usman Qadir could be on the team list.

"Youngsters have done well in this series and that is important as we want more options for the T20 World Cup. We would like to give chance to players sitting on the bench in the final game." said Babar.

Probable XI:

Babar Azam ©, Khushdil Shah, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Qadir, Shadab Khan, Amad Butt, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Musa.