Momentum for Tigers to break T20 odds

It was 16 years in the passing Bangladesh did not win a single game against Pakistan in international cricket when the table has turned. Such ghastly record was broken down, and in a fashion that could be no more fitting than it is – a home series whitewash in the three-match ODIs.

Bangladesh's record against Pakistan in the Twenty20 matches is no pleasant sight either. There has been no wins in seven matches played. But the momentum the Tigers are in after the thumping ODI series win will drive the odds for the home side when they face the visitors in the lone 20 over fixture in Dhaka tomorrow.

The difference to the Bangladesh side that embraced defeat for 16 years and the one that clean swept the ODI series is very apparent – the brimming confidence that is very visible from the body language of Mashrafe Mortaza's troops.

It is just as the captain said yesterday: "What I wanted from my team was a change in body language. There were times when we broke down due to a dropped catch or something like that and I wanted this mentality to change." And it has. This is a different Bangladesh team.

Tamim Iqbal salutes the crowd after scoring half-century against Pakistan on the third ODI at Sher-e Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday, April 22, 2015, following back-to-back centuries in first two ODIs. Photo: Firoz Ahmed

This change surfaced distinctively from the World Cup tour of Australia this year. After their first advancement to the quarterfinal stage at the biggest cricketing event of the world, many Bangladesh fans would argue that their side nearly made it to the final four, semifinals, and the loss to India mostly to blame on the umpires.

The form has clearly passed on to the Pakistan home series. After a whitewash in the ODIs, the confidence will propel the home side against the clearly inexperienced visitors. And that is why, Bangladesh fans can bet on a win for tomorrow.