Champions Trophy 2024/25, Pak vs Ban 9th Match, Group A Preview – Pakistan and Bangladesh Look – or Hope

Large image: Pakistan and Bangladesh hope that the rain remains away

This is not a tournament to remember for Pakistan or Bangladesh, and the team speaks before their last match, each other in Rawalpindi, are probably similar: playing for pride, etc. With a few jackets on bad weather – if it continues, as the forecasts say, long faces in the two changing rooms will lie down.

Pakistan figures in the Champions Trophy against New Zealand and India do not make pretty readings. Their higher order strikers did not draw their collective weight. With Wounded Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-haq entered and did not do much. Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam both reached half a century, but could not have a major impact. Mohammad Ricewan has not looked in any form despite a century in the house trial before the Champions Trophy. Pakistan could bring Kamran Ghulam just to refresh things, but who do they drop?

After the first four, it’s no better. Khushdil Shah, Salman Agha and Tayyab Tahir seem to play similar roles, which led to stagnation in the middle. Faheem Ashraf, potentially, could have balanced the side a little, but was not held. And quick quisors have struggled to control the flow. India dismantled Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf. Naseem Shah was better, but looked below his best. Abrar Ahmed played a large delivery which was overshadowed by his celebration.

Bangladesh was not too different, prohibiting their rapid bowling alley. Their striker was unidimensional and could not go through the gears, the lower order having to bail them out. Their best order collapsed against India, while Michael Bracewell’s offspin got rid of their intermediate order in the other match. Najmul Houssain Shanto has shown a form against New Zealand, while Jaker Ali was coherent – they may have to do even more against Pakistan. As is the case with Towhid Hridoy, who marked an impressive century against India.

But they will want the veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah to be what could be their last ICC game with a blow and not a groan. Their lack of fire was disappointing to see, however, in the case of Mahmudullah, it is only a match and a failure.

Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana must start the heavily again Thursday, Mustafizur Rahman continuing to be stable without being spectacular. Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rise Hossain, the main spinners, also have a lot to do, especially in Rawalpindi where they should have a more central role.

But the two teams will also have beyond this match. They must define their priorities in the national circuit, then seek an improvement in their international teams. They will both have to return to the drawing board before the next ICC tournament and understand how they can make a better fist, especially with a kind of transition, perhaps at the corner of the street.

Guide

Pakistan Lllwl (the last five Odi have finished, the most recent first)
Bangladesh Lllll

Under the spotlight: Abrar Ahmed and Jaker Ali

His sending after the shit ball to Shubman Gill attracted all the attention, but Abrar Ahmed was one of the few stories of success for Pakistan in the past two weeks. He posed a threat of gulcing. It was also economical. But Bangladesh managed it last year in the Rawalpindi test, so it will be interesting to see what is happening on Thursday.

Jaker Ali was a revelation for Bangladesh in the average order lower than the past few months. This was only seven ODI, but it has an average of more than 50 with two Cinquantans. He is a strong striker in the overs of death, often finding the limits, but that would not bother to have another specialized striker at the other end for at least a part of the time. Jaker can also offer his ticket office if the Bangladesh seeks to tinker with their XI and leave aside Mushfiqur.

Team news: will the teams ring the changes?

Could Pakistan leave aside one of their fast quisors to give Mohammad Hasnain or Faheem Ashraf a chance? They also have shot options at Usman Khan and Kamran Ghulam.

Pakistan (possible): 1 imam-ul-haq / Usman Khan, 2 Babar Azam, 3 Saud Shakeel, 4 Mohammad Rizwan (Capt, WK), 5 Salman Agha, 6 Tayyab Tahir, 7 Khushdil Shah, 8 Shaheen Shah Afridi /, 9 Naseem shah, 10 haris rau, 11 abrar ahmed

Bangladesh (Possible): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Najmul Hossain Shanto (CAPT), 3 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 4 Tohwid Hridoy, 5 Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Jaker Ali, 8 rishad Hossain, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Mustafizur Rahman , 11 Nahid Rana

Pitch and Conditions: One eye on the weather

Pakistan hopes that their farewells on their own champions trophy did not like it. There is rain in forecasts. The previous match on the site, between South Africa and Australia, was also abandoned because of the rain. The land would have been covered for many of the last three days when the game begins, and there is always the risk of additional humidity around the square.

Statistics and anecdotes: the pacers of Bangladesh a little better

This is the first Pakistan vs Bangladesh competition in the history of the Champions Trophy
Pakistan beat Bangladesh in their only Odi previous in Rawalpindi in 2003
Pakistan has a 12-0 home record against Bangladesh in Odi
The quick quantities in the two teams took 11 counters, but the Bangladesh group has an average of Bowling of 44.83 and conceded points at 5.12 by more, while Pakistan has an average of 63.50 and a saving rate of 7.18.

Mohammad Isam is the bangladesh correspondent for Espncricinfo. @ Isam84