PAK vs BAN: The contest between number 7 and number 9 of the ICC World Cup 2023 Points table is scheduled to be played on 31 October. Pakistan and Bangladesh, with very little chance alive, will seek to utilize every ounce of energy to win this very match. A lot of pressure on the Pakistan team which can make or break them today at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Here we cover Pakistan’s Strongest Playing 11 Against Bangladesh And Key Players To Watch Out For PAK vs BAN.
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Very little hope and even less possibility alive for Pakistan to somehow make it to the semi-finals. Calculations and all are high but to be honest, Pakistan’s journey in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 will end with the end of the group stage. But they can improve their rank in the ICC World Cup 2023 points table by winning all the next three matches.
There are management problems going through, fan wars are highly active, and captaincy debates are always there, but at the top of all, there is a concern with the form of the experienced players and bench strength. They have not cracked that winning combination and the end is near.
They were one of the strongest teams before the World Cup 2023 but just one injury to Naseem Shah just broke up the balance of the team. Veteran players are underperforming which results in more and more pressure on the youngsters. This is not a good sign for a team ranked among the top sides of the world.
PAK vs BAN: Pakistan’s Strongest Playing 11 Analysis
Abdullah Shafique provided stability at the top when the second partner Imam was running out of form. He has looked a little off-color since his century against Sri Lanka. Babar showed a strong character against India and Bangladesh after a string of poor scores.
Rizwan has been the backbone of Pakistan in the middle and undoubtedly has been the best Pakistani batter to understand and adapt to the Indian condition. He is the highest run scorer for Pakistan in this campaign but also has some bad days in the last few innings.
Saud Shakeel has been impressive in the past but he looks off-color in this tournament and unfortunately, Pakistan doesn’t have that many options on the bench. Ifthikar is an explosive batsman but not a reliable one. He is not a promising finisher that Pakistan should have on a stage like the World Cup.
Shadab Khan is fit now and will be there in the team working as a leg-spinning allrounder and he also provides a safe hand to the fielding. Mohammad Nawaz was back in the team but the last over nightmare for him has been a thorn in the flesh for him. Nawaz has not been too efficient, whereas Mir impressed in a few games he played.
The eagle Afridi is back in the hunt in style. He is keeping his standards high while Rauf has been a disappointment. He is too expensive and not that much effective in the middle to take wickets. No updates on Hasan Ali’s fitness so Mohammad Wasim Jr will continue to play.
PAK vs BAN: Pakistan’s Playing 11
Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz/Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf
Full Pakistan Squad: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Agha Salman, Fakhar Zaman, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jr
PAK vs BAN Key Players to Watch Out
Pakistan will be looking for big players to stand up and take charge. Babar and other veterans haven’t really stood up to their brand of cricket and they are likely to do so today. Babar and Rizwan will be on everyone’s eyes with hopes today.
While, for Bangladesh, expect a big fifty from Litton Das or Shanto. Shoriful Islam will be their key Bowler. Shakib Al Hasan said in a recent PAK vs BAN prematch conference- “There is a lot to play for. As you know, we have to win to be able to qualify for the Champions Trophy. That’s an important target I think we can set at this moment and to do that we have to win. We have no other options and that’s what we would look to do.”
READ: ICC World Cup 2023 Most Sixes Ranking [Top 5 Players]
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