These Tigers are different

'Just because you couldn't do something yesterday doesn't mean you can't do it today'. This is the current state of mind of the Bangladesh team and their supporters. Yes, the current Bangladesh team can do it today. Since the players have been exuding confidence about breaking the jinx this time against Pakistan, there are reasons to believe that this is not a wild goose chase.

Since the famous World Cup victory in 1999, Bangladesh could not triumph against Pakistan, but today they are going to start a battle amidst positive vibes all around. The term 'heartbreak' could be aptly associated with the Tigers as far as playing Pakistan was concerned over the last sixteen years.

But still, if losing some close games in the last few years has been sign of narrowing the gap then the Tigers' performance in the ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand definitely gave them an edge ahead of the three-match ODI series. With regards to experience of the players, Pakistan had previously always started series against Bangladesh with an advantage, but it's not the case this time. However, it's not the experience; rather the brand of cricket Bangladesh played during the World Cup has raised the prospect of turning the table.

Good positive cricket and a fearless approach from the Tigers in the World Cup was widely applauded and they looked more mature than at any other time, especially the batting was fantastic despite the opening failure. And this team has such a positive approach that a player's good knock counts for little if it doesn't benefit the team as a whole. Sabbir Rahman's innings in the practice match gave the impression that Bangladesh are eager to continue that fearless approach. And Tamim Iqbal can bring more relief to the team.

In the bowling department, the team will definitely miss the services of their inspirational skipper and leading pacer Mashrafe Bin Mortazabut but the focus will be on the in-form Rubel Hossain. "I enjoy his bowling. Rubel [Hossain] is now totally a different man. I hope he will be the bowler to watch in this series like World Cup," said Mashrafe.

If Bangladesh stick to yesterday's plan then they will play with three pacers to keep their World Cup tempo, which would likely see Rony Talukdar not pairing with Tamim to open the innings and this line of thinking reflects how positive Bangladesh are with their plan.

Bangladesh's batting got the ability to handle the variety of Pakistan's bowling attack and the Tigers' bowling has the potential to test the inexperienced Pakistan batting, so one would not be wrong in saying that this is the best opportunity for the Tigers to rewrite history and embark on a new chapter.