Pakistan will face Bangladesh in a do-or-die encounter to be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on 31st October 2023. Both teams are struggling for form as Babar Azam and Co lost their previous match against South Africa by 1 wicket at Chennai while Bangladesh suffered 87 run loss to the Netherlands at the same venue.
It promises to be an exciting contest as both teams are on 4 points each and would look to prove their worth in a highly anticipated match. The conditions are likely to help the bowlers which could lead to a low-scoring encounter.
Both teams have good quality players who can change the course of the game with their abilities and ensure that their country wins the match.
Here we look at the 5 Players To Watch Out for
- Babar Azam
The Pakistan captain Babar Azam looked impressive in the previous match against South Africa. He made fifty but could not convert into a big score that did not allow Pakistan to post a big total.
He has played 3 ODI matches against Bangladesh with 114 runs including the best score of 96 in the 2019 World Cup match. Pakistan will be hoping that Babar Azam comes up with a brilliant knock and helps their country register a victory. Babar needs to lead from the front and give the momentum for Pakistan that would allow them to put pressure on Bangladesh bowlers.
- Liton Das
Liton Das is an attacking batter who puts pressure on the opponent bowlers right from the word go. He looked out of sorts in the previous match against the Netherlands and got out cheaply.
Das showed intent on hitting boundaries against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 at Lahore. He has a disappointing record against them with just 54 runs from 3 matches including the best score of 32. He would be looking to improve his record and provide an attacking start in the first 10 overs that would put pressure on Pakistan bowlers.
- Saud Shakeel
Saud Shakeel was the top scorer in the previous match against South Africa. He looked impressive with attacking shots making life tough for Bavuma. Shakeel played well against pacers and spinners equally well keeping the strike rotating and not allowing them to settle.
Shakeel would be hoping for a superb performance in the match against Bangladesh. Coming in the middle order, his ability to play spinners and pacers brilliantly would ensure that Pakistan could post or chase down the target.
His role is to keep the momentum going for Pakistan if the top-order batters can put pressure on Bangladesh bowlers in the first 10 overs.
- Shakib AL Hasan
The Bangladesh captain Shakib AL Hasan picked only 1 wicket in the previous match against the Netherlands and failed to contribute as a captain.
Shakib AL Hasan has a decent record against Pakistan with 606 runs from 17 matches ( 16 innings) including 1 century and 5 half-centuries including the best score of 108. His bowling has been impressive with 10 wickets from 17 matches at an economy of 4.61 runs per over and figures of 2 for 34.
He must deliver with both bat and ball that would allow the Bangladesh team to put pressure on the Pakistan team. Shakib AL Hasan performed with the bat against Pakistan in 2019 with 64 runs and did not pick any wickets during that match giving away 57 runs in 10 overs.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
Shaheen Shah Afridi was put under pressure by Quinton de Kock initially. He then fought back with 3 wickets that brought Pakistan right back into the game and took the game till the end.
He picked 6 for 35 in the 2019 World Cup and was named the player of the match award. Shaheen has played 3 matches and grabbed 9 wickets at an economy of 4.74 runs per over. The left-arm pace bowler would be hoping to pick early wickets in the first 10 overs that would put enough pressure on the Bangladesh batters.
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