ICC World Cup 2023, PAK vs BAN| 5 Player Battles To Watch Out For
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Pakistan and Bangladesh will cross swords in Kolkata. (AP)
As we approach the business end of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, the pressure is mounting on teams like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, who can ill afford any further slip-ups.
Tomorrow's match on October 31 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata holds significant importance, particularly for Pakistan and Bangladesh, as they aim to keep themselves alive in the competition mathematically.
In their last game, Pakistan displayed significant improvement, pushing South Africa to the brink of defeat. A contentious umpire's call decision denied them a victory. Pakistan's hope lies in their ability to perform both with the bat and ball, and they are expected to bring their A-game to this clash.
Bangladesh has struggled throughout the tournament and currently sits in ninth place. Their batting lineup has failed to fire when it matters most. Players like Litton Das, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, and captain Shakib Al Hasan, who were expected to lead the charge, have faltered in crucial moments.
This match is a face-off between two teams that have not lived up to their potential in the ongoing World Cup, and both are on the brink of an early exit.
Here's the Players battles for tomorrow's riveting clash
Babar Azam vs Shakib Al Hasan
Babar Azam. (PTI)
In this battle of captains, two top-tier players, Babar Azam and Shakib Al Hasan, will face off. While Babar has recently faced difficulties against off-spinners, he will need to be cautious against the opposition captain, Shakib, who is a very clever operator with the ball. Although Shakib's recent batting form has been lackluster, he remains highly effective with the ball and has the ability to outfox even the best of the batters, including Babar.
Shaheen Shah Afridi vs Litton Das
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Shaheen Shah Afridi. (AP)
Shaheen did not deserve to be on the losing side in the last game against South Africa, as he claimed wickets with both the new ball and in the final overs. He dismissed prominent names like Quinton de Kock, David Miller, and Gerald Coetzee in Chennai but couldn't secure a victory for his team. Bowling in Kolkata, where he is likely to find more assistance from the wicket than in Chennai, he will be a formidable threat.
Litton Das, who has struggled for consistency in this tournament despite showing promise against England and India, will face an upbeat and in-form Shaheen early in his innings.
Mustafizur Rahman vs Abdullah Shafique
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Mustafizur Rahman. (X.com)
Mustafizur found his rhythm in the last game against the Netherlands, finishing with impressive figures of 2-36 from 10 overs, including a maiden over. He created opportunities on the same Eden Gardens pitch where he will face Pakistan. With the new ball, he will pose a challenge to Pakistan's in-form opener, Abdullah Shafique, who will have his work cut out when he encounters the skilled left-arm seamer.
Mushfiqur Rahim vs Mohammad Wasim Jr
Mushfiqur Rahim. (AP)
Wasim's skills was on display and he proved his worth in the previous game by claiming two wickets, and he is expected to retain his place in the team after that performance. He has shown a knack for performing well with a slightly older ball. In the upcoming match, he is likely to operate against the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim. Rahim, a skilled player of spin, has at times encountered difficulties against pacers. It will be intriguing to see how the veteran batter handles the emerging young bowler.
Imam-ul-Haq vs Mehidy Hasan Miraz
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Imam-ul-Haq. (PTI)
In modern cricket, captains are not hesitant to introduce off-spinners in the powerplay, with only a few fielders allowed outside the circle when facing a left-handed batter. If Shakib decides to bring in Mehidy early, it will be interesting to observe how Imam-ul-Haq tackles him. Imam is another proficient player of spin, but if the pitch continues to offer turn as seen in the last match in Kolkata, it could make Mehidy even more challenging to face. Worth noting, Mehidy has dismissed Imam only once in their international career, during a 2023 Asia Cup match in Lahore.
 "Vaibhav Tripathi")
