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Bangladesh-A is taking on a mighty Pakistan squad for a three-day match in BKSP starting from January 5. Pakistan, one of the super powers of the game, is not taking this first class match lightly. They will be on the field with their probable best eleven - disclosed Mudassar Nazar, the coach.

In absence of Saeed Anwar the opening slots are lacking flair, but Mudassar hardly agrees with this idea. He is thinking of giving a break to Shadab Kabir and Taufeeq Umar as openers in the BKSP match. Among the three openers in the squad left-handed Shahdab is back in the team after almost five years. He was dropped after his disappointing performance in England followed by a streak of failures against India in Sahara Cup 1996.

On the contrary, Taufeeq Umar saw a debut success against Bangladesh in Multan where he hammered a scintillating century. Naved Latif, regarded as the most talented among the young stars, is a very good hitter of the ball. There are chances he may open too. These three are embarking on their career.

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Are Pakistanis touring here in a relaxing mood? The answer is a strict no. Waqar is not indulging himself with such thinking. They are here to get a clean sweep and anything less than a win would be very disappointing. The renowned super powers have missed two series due to security fear; first New Zealand pulled out of the October tour and now its West Indies, who are not coming next February. So, Bangladesh is going to face a hungry Pakistan.

Their net practice session today laid enough proofs that they are pretty serious about the baby Test nation Bangladesh. They came early in the morning, did some stretching for hours, played football to warm them up and ended up with a stern net session, which lasted almost three and half an hour. After three month's lay-off from International cricket they were looking very positive to shake off the lethargy. In a word the tourists are not cynical about playing against a team that lost eight matches out of nine they have played so far.

Akram Khan, the skipper of Bangladesh-A is giving more stress on batting. His aim is plain and simple - to draw the 3-day match anyhow. The former Bangladesh captain is not unnerved to steer his team against Pakistanis as he has substantial experiences to lead the national side in International arena for five years.

If someone from his team pulls off big success in BKSP match, will he get a seat in the national squad? Akram Khan said that this single match would hardly prove one's ability to cope up with bigger situations in Tests. If one scores a hundred or a 80 or takes 6 wickets do not have anything to do with having a seat in the national side right this moment. This thing is applicable to him as well.

"We are playing against them without having anything in our head about the national team. We are playing for Bangladesh-A and looking to play as good as possible. It would be creditable if we could end up with a draw. To do that we will need quite a bit of good batting and at this moment we are aiming on that only."

Tomorrow both teams will run their last net sessions in BNS in the morning before this first-class match.

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