Bangladesh, trapped in the circle of defeat, will face Pakistan in their seventh match today. In the meantime, Shakib Bahini has been knocked out of the race for the semi-finals of the World Cup. However, to get a chance in the 2025 Champions Trophy, there is no option for the Tigers to win this match today.
Bangladesh will play this match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata at 2:30 PM.
Pakistan started the mission by defeating Netherlands and Sri Lanka in the current World Cup. After losing in four consecutive matches against India, Australia, Afghanistan and lastly South Africa, Pakistan fell into fear of leaving before the semi-finals. They are sixth in the table with 4 points from 6 matches.
If they beat Bangladesh, New Zealand and England in their last three matches, maybe Babar Azmara can go to the semi-finals. So, the 1992 world champions want to beat Bangladesh in Eden and advance to the semis.
On the other hand, Bangladesh started their World Cup mission by defeating Afghanistan in their first match. After losing to England, New Zealand, India, and South Africa in 5 consecutive matches, the Tigers have been confirmed to leave before the semi-finals after losing to a team like the Netherlands in the last match.
Shakib Al Hasan’s team is 9th in the table among ten teams with only 2 points from 6 matches. The Tigers want to end the season in a good position after winning their last three matches against Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia. Besides, Bangladesh wants to win these three matches to secure their place in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
In such a situation, there may be some changes in the Bangladesh team today. Spinner Nasum Ahmed can return to the team in place of Tiger pacer Shariful. Kolkata’s pitch depends on spin, so the team management can play by increasing one spinner.
Meanwhile, there may be several changes in Pakistan’s playing XI. Injured opener Fakhar Zaman is fully fit. He can return to the place of Imam-ul-Haq who has gone through bad times. But Shadab Khan is still not fit, so Usama Mir may get another chance. Meanwhile Mohammad Nawaz may lose the place. Salman Ali Agha can return there.
Bangladesh Probable XI: Liton Kumar Das, Tanjid Hasan Tamim, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehdi Hasan Miraj, Nasum Ahmed, Sheikh Mehdi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed and Mostafizur Rahman.
Pakistan’s Probable XI: Abdullah Shafiq, Imam-ul-Haq/Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Usama Mir, Mohammad Nawaz/Salman Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr and Haris Rauf.
(October 31/NBW)