Cape Town: Even the dead rubber interests the spectators if it involves the mercurial Pakistan and bang-bang Bangladesh. The Asian teams meet at the Newlands cricket ground here in their ICC World Twenty20 Super 8 encounter, with Pakistan having qualified already for the semi-finals and Bangladesh out of the tournament.

Both the teams, however, will go out all guns blazing. Pakistan, having won all their Super 8 clashes so far, would loath to lose to Bangladesh, who on their part, would want to go back with at least one big scalp.

Said Shoaib Malik, "Definitely, we will settle for nothing other than victory. We have beaten world champions like Australia so expectations back home are huge. Our fans simply won't accept it if we lose to Bangladesh ."

For Mohammed Ashraful, the Bangladesh skipper, there is a chance to make amends. "We batted brilliantly in patches in this tournament and at times, our bowling was not up to the mark. However, this gives us one last chance to get our act together. We have beaten Pakistan in the past and we are looking to repeat the act again."

The way youngsters have put their hand up is a very encouraging sign for Pakistan , and Malik wholeheartedly gives them the credit. "Sohail Tanveer is a revelation," he said, "And the batting of Misbah ul-Haq along with Mohammed Hafeez has stunned everyone. Also, seniors like Younis Khan have contributed immensely."

Pakistan will also have a strong support base here in Cape Town, and that would spur them further.

Once again, balance between attack and defense will be the key for Bangladesh batsmen. They play some sparkling shots, but inconsistency against top bowling attacks have been their downfall.

Against the likes of Muhammed Asif, Tanveer and Umar Gul , Bangladesh will pay very dearly if they try anything outrageous, as there is some movement off the Newlands pitch.

It's not as if Pakistan are not vulnerable. Their batting still remains a bit shaky, and their openers Salman Butt and Imran Nazir have had an up and down tournament so far. If Bangladesh can put the Pakistan middle order under pressure, things can happen for them.

Mashrafe Mortaza, the Bangladesh bowling spearhead and vice-captain, needs to rediscover his ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 form if his team hopes to challenge good batting sides.

For the sake of their adoring fans, we hope the contest turns out to be a cracking one.

Cape Town: Even the dead rubber interests the spectators if it involves the mercurial Pakistan and bang-bang Bangladesh. The Asian teams meet at the Newlands cricket ground here in their ICC World Twenty20 Super 8 encounter, with Pakistan having qualified already for the semi-finals and Bangladesh out of the tournament.

Both the teams, however, will go out all guns blazing. Pakistan, having won all their Super 8 clashes so far, would loath to lose to Bangladesh, who on their part, would want to go back with at least one big scalp.

Said Shoaib Malik, "Definitely, we will settle for nothing other than victory. We have beaten world champions like Australia so expectations back home are huge. Our fans simply won't accept it if we lose to Bangladesh ."

For Mohammed Ashraful, the Bangladesh skipper, there is a chance to make amends. "We batted brilliantly in patches in this tournament and at times, our bowling was not up to the mark. However, this gives us one last chance to get our act together. We have beaten Pakistan in the past and we are looking to repeat the act again."

The way youngsters have put their hand up is a very encouraging sign for Pakistan , and Malik wholeheartedly gives them the credit. "Sohail Tanveer is a revelation," he said, "And the batting of Misbah ul-Haq along with Mohammed Hafeez has stunned everyone. Also, seniors like Younis Khan have contributed immensely."

Pakistan will also have a strong support base here in Cape Town, and that would spur them further.

Once again, balance between attack and defense will be the key for Bangladesh batsmen. They play some sparkling shots, but inconsistency against top bowling attacks have been their downfall.

Against the likes of Muhammed Asif, Tanveer and Umar Gul , Bangladesh will pay very dearly if they try anything outrageous, as there is some movement off the Newlands pitch.

It's not as if Pakistan are not vulnerable. Their batting still remains a bit shaky, and their openers Salman Butt and Imran Nazir have had an up and down tournament so far. If Bangladesh can put the Pakistan middle order under pressure, things can happen for them.

Mashrafe Mortaza, the Bangladesh bowling spearhead and vice-captain, needs to rediscover his ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 form if his team hopes to challenge good batting sides.

For the sake of their adoring fans, we hope the contest turns out to be a cracking one.