Pakistan will take on Bangladesh in the 32nd match of the Men’s World Cup ODI 2023 in Kolkata on Tuesday, 31st October. Both teams are struggling to keep their ships sailing in the tournament thus far. Pakistan have won two games before suffering four successive defeats in six matches. Bangladesh could win only one match and lost five games on the trot in the Men’s World Cup ODI thus far. Pakistan are currently at the sixth spot with four points whereas Bangladesh are at second from the bottom with two points on the points table.
In the Men’s World Cup ODI, Pakistan and Bangladesh have met each other only twice, with each side winning a game. The last encounter between the two teams in the tournament was in 2019 when Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 94 runs. The upcoming match of the Men’s World Cup ODI is expected to be exciting as Pakistan and Bangladesh look to turn their fortunes around following their successive defeats in the tournament.
Players to watch out for
1. B Azam (PAK): B Azam showed glimpses of his return to form in the last couple of matches in the Men’s World Cup ODI. In the match against Afghanistan, Pakistan’s captain scored 74 off 92 balls. This was followed up with 50 off 65 balls against South Africa. However, both his performances came in a losing cause. B Azam’s return to form is crucial for Men in Green as they push their fast-fading hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals. Azam is the third-leading run-scorer for Pakistan in the tournament, aggregating 207 runs, including three fifties, at an average of 34.50 in six matches. B Azam will look to come up with big scores in the upcoming match against Bangladesh.
2. M Hasan Miraz (BAN): M Hasan Miraz is one of the reliable all-rounders for Bangladesh in the Men’s World Cup ODI. In the previous match against the Netherlands, he scored 35 off 40 balls but failed to take a wicket while conceding 17 runs in his four-over spell. In this tournament, Miraz aggregated 144 runs, including a fifty, at an average of 24 in six matches. He has also taken six wickets from as many matches. Though he has contributed with the bat and ball for Bangladesh, M Hasan Miraz has yet to come up with impactful performances. The upcoming match against Pakistan is the best opportunity to turn his game around and come up with goods. When he is in his rhythm, Miraz can pose a threat to Pakistan’s bowling line-up.
3. A Shafique (PAK): A Shafique has been quite a sensation for Pakistan in the ongoing edition of the Men’s World Cup ODI. The 23-year-old is the second-leading run-scorer for Men in Green, with 264 runs, including a century and two fifties, at an average of 52.80 in six matches so far. Shafique is an attacking batsman who can score quick runs in the powerplay and anchor innings when needed. He is one of the consistent performers for Pakistan in the tournament. Though he scored just 9 runs against South Africa, A Shafique can come out with all blazing guns once he gets into his groove. Shafique will look to better his performance from the previous match and pose a threat to Bangladesh’s bowling attack.
4. S Al Hasan (BAN): There has been a lot of concern over his form in the ongoing Men’s World Cup ODI. The 36-year-old managed to score only 61 runs at an average of 12.20 and took six wickets at an economy rate of 5.14 in six matches so far. However, one cannot deny the fact that Al Hasan is the best all-rounder for Bangladesh in ODIs. The all-rounder can turn the game on its game with the bat and ball. When he is in his form, S Al Hasan can come up with goods and pile runs in the middle order. He can anchor the innings in the middle and help the team post a good total on the board. S Al Hasan will look to come up with an impactful performance with the bat and bowl in the upcoming match against Pakistan.
5. S Afridi (PAK): S Afridi is a leading bowler for Pakistan in the ongoing Men’s World Cup ODI. In the last match against South Africa, he scalped three wickets while conceding just 45 runs in his quota of 10 overs. He almost pulled off the victory for Pakistan but went in vain. S Afridi is the fourth leading wicket-taker in the tournament, with 13 wickets, including a five-wicket haul, at an average of 22.77 and an economy rate of 5.69 in six matches so far. The 23-year-old has always been a threat to the opposition’s batting line-up due to his swing bowling. Afridi can pull off yorkers and can turn the game on its head in the middle as well as in the death overs. S Afridi is expected to pose a threat to Bangladesh’s batting line-up in the upcoming match.
Predicted Playing XI
PAK: A Shafique, F Zaman, B Azam (C), M Rizwan (WK), S Shakeel, I Ahmed, S Khan, M Nawaz, S Afridi, M Wasim Jr, H Ali,
BAN: L Das, T Hasan, M Hasan Miraz, N Hossain Shanto, S Al Hasan (C), M Rahim (WK), Mahmudullah, M Hasan, T Ahmed, M Rahman, S Islam
Fantasy Playing XI Picks
Wicketkeeper: M Rizwan
Batsmen: A Shafique, L Das, B Azam, Mahmudullah
All-rounders: S Al Hasan, M Hasan Miraz
Bowlers: T Ahmed, S Afridi, M Nawaz, M Rahman
Prediction
Pakistan seems to be strong favourites to win this fixture. The Men in Green is expected to come out with all blazing guns against Bangladesh as they need to stay afloat in the tournament, with the hopes of qualifying for the tournament. The top-order is expected to make an impact and bowlers will look to dismantle Bangladesh’s batting line-up. If Pakistan opts to bat first, they are expected to post a total of over 300 on a flat track at Eden Gardens.
