The war of words between the Tigers and Pakistan is heating up before the latter's tour of Bangladesh begins, reports bdnews24.com.
Pakistan's opening batsman Mohammad Hafeez has reacted to Sakib Al Hasan's recent statement that the series was Bangladesh's best chance to beat them.
Hafeez shed light on the statistics of the two side's matches of which Bangladesh won only once in 1999.
After gaining Test status in 2000, Bangladesh have defeated all Test-playing countries except Pakistan.
But the Tigers had gone close to winning a Test and an One Day International (ODI).
Before leaving for India last week to play in the IPL, Sakib said Bangladesh were the favourites this time.
He said the Tigers should win at least the ODI series.
Responding to Sakib's statement, Hafeez expressed confidence in his team and said they were looking to maintain the 16-year winning streak over Bangladesh.
"(What Sakib said) is confidence and it's a good thing if they have a belief in them," he was quoted by ESPNcricinfo on recently.
"I have heard Mashrafe is not playing the first match and Sakib will lead the side. But if you recall the recent past, Pakistan have dominated Bangladesh lately and apart from the one game in 1999 we never lost to them."
Since 1988, Bangladesh have played with Pakistan 47 times across formats, but their only win came during the 1999 World Cup in England.
Hafeez, who could not play last month's World Cup due to injury, admitted that their teammates were not very experienced but said they had no 'dearth of confidence and efficiency'.
"The talent of Pakistan team can't be underrated," he said. "These players have proved themselves in domestic cricket and then selectors have picked them.
"It indeed is a new era as we are definitely going with lots of new players. But as a unit we will give good results and they (new boys) are ready for the series," he said.
