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This match might have seemed quite different before the World Cup began. Pakistan had high hopes of securing a top-four spot in the latter part of their campaign, while Bangladesh was considered a formidable opponent, especially given their proximity to home and their strong contingent of diverse spin bowlers.
However, there's something about this fixture that feels different now. Bangladesh's ascent in ODI cricket, from reaching the quarter-finals in the 2015 World Cup to going a step further in the 2017 Champions Trophy, has been a source of joy for fans. Despite occasional setbacks, their victory over India last year and their overall dominance at home underline the resilience of this generation of Bangladeshi cricketers. However, in five of their six World Cup games, they haven't lived up to expectations, with their usual enthusiasm dwindling from one loss to the next. For instance, their disheartening performance against the Netherlands at the same venue exemplifies this trend. Faced with an opponent exuding the spirit of Bangladesh's past teams, Shakib Al Hasan's side seemed more focused on surviving 50 overs than on winning the game.
Consequently, a fresh start seems to be the most viable way forward. Their captain, a cricketing icon, is stepping down after this tournament and is already contemplating retirement in a couple of years. Significant changes are anticipated in the coaching staff and potentially within the squad. Publicly, the BCB president has expressed support for the struggling team in India.
This support appears to give them an advantage over their upcoming opponents. Pakistan's campaign has been plagued by a series of ongoing issues, from losing star bowler Naseem Shah before the tournament to lackluster performances by Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf, a poorly timed and worded media release, and the mid-campaign resignation of chief selector Inzamam ul Haq. The cumulative effect has been destabilization and demoralization. Just when it was expected that the team would replicate their previous success that led them to the No.1 rank just before this tournament, they find themselves hampered by internal conflicts and subpar performance.
However, they did manage to put up one of their better performances in their last match, which is considered a step forward. Their bowling showed dedication and aggression, and with a few favorable decisions under the Decision Review System (DRS), the result might have been different. Interestingly, even after four consecutive losses, they have not been eliminated from the competition, and until their chances are officially over, they have a glimmer of hope. If they can now complete their 50 overs when batting, it could be a solid starting point for a turnaround.
When: October 31, 2023, 2:00 PM IST
Where: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Teams
Pakistan:
At the beginning of South Africa's chase in Chennai, Pakistan had to make a concussion substitution for Shadab Khan. If Shadab Khan is exhibiting symptoms of a concussion, it's likely that Usama Mir will continue in his place.
From a tactical and strategic perspective, Imam-ul-Haq has posted scores of 83, 100, and 78 in three matches against Bangladesh. However, he has faced difficulties against fast bowling in this tournament, with 73 of the 122 balls he's faced from fast bowlers resulting in dot balls. Additionally, he has been dismissed by fast bowlers in each of his six innings, and he'll need to address this aspect of his game. Fakhar Zaman is now available and could be in contention to replace him in the lineup.
Bangladesh:
Bangladesh could consider including an additional left-arm spinner, Nasum Ahmed, to specifically target the crucial middle-order duo of Babar and Rizwan.
From a tactical and strategic perspective, Shakib Al Hasan has taken Rizwan's wicket twice in the 49 deliveries he has bowled to him in ODIs. The experienced captain of the Bangladesh team has had a relatively quiet World Cup compared to his outstanding performance in the tournament four years ago. However, he is likely eager to make his mark, especially with a place in the Champions Trophy still at stake.
Squads:
Bangladesh Squad: Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan(c), Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Towhid Hridoy, Hasan Mahmud, Tanzim Hasan Sakib
Pakistan Squad: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Iftikhar Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Hasan Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Agha Salman
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