Bangladesh to blood debutants in one-off T20 against Pakistan

Mashrafe Mortaza - Cropped

After a momentous one-day international (ODI) series rout over Pakistan, Bangladesh will look to unearth some future talent in the one-off Twenty20 on Friday.

Not only did Bangladesh chalk up just their second, third and fourth-ever ODI victories over Pakistan in the series, they did so in emphatic fashion - with margins of 79 runs, seven wickets and eight wickets, respectively.

Both of their chases saw them win with more than 10 overs to spare, in a sign Mashrafe Mortaza's men have grown in confidence following their run to the Cricket World Cup quarter-finals in March.

Prior to a two-Test series, the two nations will go head-to-head in a solitary T20, with Bangladesh hoping to keep Pakistan's tour a winless one.

The hosts, though, are set to fling uncapped internationals Mustafizur Rahman and Litton Das into the spotlight.

Mustafizur bowls left-arm pace, while Das - a right-handed opening batsman - has 1811 first-class runs to his name at an average of above 53.

"Mustafizur's inclusion may come as a surprise to some but he has impressed during his time with the Under-19s and the A team," Bangladesh selector Faruque Ahmed said. 

"He is an intelligent bowler with good variation, which is required in T20 cricket. Besides, being a left-arm seamer he gives us a different option.

"Litton has been under our radar for a while now and he has the runs behind him in first class and List A cricket. He is one for the future.

"We have decided to rest Rubel [Hossain] in order to keep him fresh for the Test series as he is our main strike bowler."

Pakistan captain Azhar Ali, who scored 101 in the third ODI, said they failed to perform against a revamped Bangladesh.

"We were going quite nicely till the 40th over when [Haris] Sohail got out," Azhar said, after Pakistan - who won the toss and batted - were all out for 250.

"We lost the momentum of the innings which I think was the turning point. We should have scored nearly 300 or more. I think the last 12 overs were very disappointing. We didn't make runs, and lost eight wickets.

"Before the series started, we knew Bangladesh were an improved side. 

"They did well in the World Cup. They were doing very well in their home soil, gave tough time to the opposition. 

"We knew it wasn't going to be easy. As Pakistan team, we didn't play enough good cricket."

Azhar will be hoping victory in the T20 can regain some momentum, ahead of the Tests.

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