Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha on Saturday stated that they would be up for any challenges when they face Bangladesh in the first of the three-match T20I series at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium today.
Pakistan鈥檚 last outings in the format were also against Bangladesh, when they clean swept the Tigers 3-0 in May-June this year. They also have a 19-3 winnings record in the format against Bangladesh.
But Salman, who has so far captained Pakistan in 12 matches, considers Bangladesh a very dangerous side when they are playing at home.
鈥業t鈥檚 a very different condition for us, obviously, and Bangladesh, at any stadium, any ground, any country, is a very good side. And when it comes to home, they are a very, very good side,鈥� Salman told reporters in the pre-match press conference at Mirpur on Saturday.
鈥楢nd we know what the challenges are going to be thrown at us, and we are up to that, and we are very excited to come here to play,鈥� he added.
Pakistan, who have seen multiple overhauls in their entire cricket system in recent times, are missing some key players like Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf due to injury in the series.
They also opted not to include the likes of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Hasan Ali. But Salman was very hopeful with the two uncapped fast bowlers, Ahmed Daniyal and Sufiyan Muqeem.
鈥楢nd two, the uncapped; they are very exciting, both fast bowlers, and I am very excited to see them. They are very good fast bowlers, and I鈥檓 happy for them to be here and very, very excited,鈥� he said.
The Pakistan captain also said that they had a good preparation to adjust to the conditions of Bangladesh.
鈥榃e had a camp in Karachi. We tried our best to prepare the same kind of pitches, and this is the kind of pitch we want to get here, and the pressure is very good; we are very much ready to play again,鈥� said Salman.
The 31-year-old all-rounder also hoped that the experience of their players in the Bangladesh Premier League would also help them.
鈥楳ost of the players have played in the BPL, which is very important, obviously, to get the input and experience of them. And yeah, we have talked, and we have had a chat with them. They have given their inputs, and we have planned accordingly.鈥�