Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Pitch Report For PAK vs BAN Champions Trophy Match

Debashis Sarangi

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium [Source: AP]Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium [Source: AP]

On Thursday, Pakistan will face Bangladesh in the ninth group-stage match of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy. The high-voltage clash will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. 

Both teams have been eliminated from the tournament, losing their first two matches from India and New Zealand. So, moving on to this match, Pakistan and Bangladesh would be desperate to break their losing streak and conclude the tournament on a high note. 

Ahead of the crucial face-off, let's see how the surface at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will behave throughout the contest. 

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Stats And Records In Champions Trophy 2025

Criterion
Data
Matches played1
Matches won batting 1st0
Matches won bowling 1st1
Average 1st innings score236
Average 2nd innings score240

While just one match has been conducted in Rawalpindi (AUS vs SA was a washout fixture) in the Champions Trophy 2025, the venue has hosted 27 men's ODIs (excluding 4 abandoned matches). Out of these games, 12 have been won by the teams setting the target, while the chasing sides have emerged victorious on 15 occasions. 

The average 1st innings score in all men's ODIs in Rawalpindi reads 242 as compared to the average 2nd innings score of 214. 

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Pitch Report Today

The surface at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium generally doesn't offer significant seam movement to the fast bowlers. However, if overcast conditions prevail at the venue, the new ball bowlers might get a hint of movement, in the air and off the pitch. 

In that case, the batters must take some time to get set in the middle before shifting gears. The track's pace and bounce will likely be ideal for stroke-play, while the spinners might get some turn with the old ball in the middle overs. 

The pitch might quicken up a bit and become slightly more conducive to batting later in the evening. Also, considering the chasing teams have won 15 out of 27 matches at this venue, the toss-winner will likely bowl first. 

Players To Watch Out At Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Babar Azam

  • Pakistan's experienced batter Babar Azam has enjoyed stellar success at this venue, scoring 335 runs at a marvellous average of 83.75 and a strike rate of 101.82 in five ODIs. Although he is struggling a bit with his form, Babar's excellent record makes him a player to watch out for in this match. 

Mushfiqur Rahim

  • Veteran Bangladesh batter Mushfiqur Rahim has impressive numbers against Pakistan, amassing 511 runs at an average of 36.50 and a strike rate of 88.71. If Bangladesh lose a few early wickets, Rahim can bail them out of trouble with his scintillating stroke-play. 

Shaheen Afridi

  • Ace Pakistani pacer Shaheen Afridi has been one of the top performers against Bangladesh. In four ODI innings, Afridi has bagged twelve wickets at an extraordinary average of 12.25 and a strike rate of 17.5. 

P.S: Apart from these players, the eyes will be on Nahid Rana, Towhid Hridoy, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman and Haris Rauf.