World Cup 2023, Match 31 | Bangladesh Predicted XI vs Pakistan

image-lod6hugzBangladesh will face Pakistan in the 31st Match of the World Cup 2023 (Source: AP Photos)

The 2023 World Cup has reached a critical stage in which every game is significant for most nations. Two Asian nations- Pakistan and Bangladesh will face off in the 31st encounter at the renowned Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The play is scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM IST.

Pakistan's story is identical to that of their forthcoming opponents. Simply because the Men in Green won a couple of games at the start of the main tournament, they are still in the qualification fight. The Babar Azam-led unit failed to win any of their subsequent matches since their setback to India. Easrlier, they were trounced by Afghanistan for the first time in CWC while South Africa shattered their hopes of a bounce back in a nail-biter in Pakistan's recent most assignment.

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Bangladesh's team has been extremely shambolic, having lost five matches since their opening victory over Afghanistan. Their most recent defeat occurred at the hands of the Netherlands, who humiliated them in the city of joy. Currently, the Tigers are placed at number nine in the points table and their hopes of qualification are almost over.

The Tigers would be playing for pride and try to win all their upcoming contests. Let us see how their predicted XI may sound against Pakistan.


Openers: Litton Das and Tanzid Tamim

Bangladesh tried different opening combinations during the Asia Cup and other bilateral series in the lead up to the World Cup 2023. But none of them has been as good as Litton Das and Tanzid Tamim. The pair may not have been consistent enough in the ongoing tourney but has been far better than the other nominees. Tanzid brought a brilliant fifty against India earlier while Litton got fifties against England and India.


Middle Order: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim and Towhid Hridoy

After suffering a humiliating defeat against Netherlands, the Bangladesh think tank may look to bring back Towhid Hridoy and strengthen their batting. He has scored 226 runs in his last nine innings. As a lower middle order batter, these are impressive numbers from the 22-year-old.

Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim are the other two middle order batters on whom Bangladesh's batting will depend a lot. Shanto was in scintillating form in the lead up to the grand event but lost the fire all of a sudden.

Mushfiqur, on the other hand, is one of those characters who generally stands up at the need of hour. He made his CWC debut in 2007 and played a pivotal role when Bangladesh upsetted India in World Cup 2007. Since then, there hasn't been any turning back for the wicketkeeper-batter.


All-rounders: Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mahmudullah Riyad

Shakib Al Hasan is as important to Bangladesh as Potato is in Kolkata biryani. But can Bangladeshi skipper cook a tasty win in the city of joy for his side? That's the question to be answered. Shakib's form with the bat has been below par and he decided to rush back to meet his mentor regarding that. But still the numbers are yet to shine for Shakib the batter. And not to mention, how important he will be with his art of left-arm orthodox spin.

Mahmudullah Riyad and Mehidy Hasan Miraz are other two all-rounders who should make up the Bangladesh playing XI against Pakistan. The former has been in incredible form with the bat and also scored a ton against South Africa. Although Riyad is not that regular with the ball, Miraz is. But Miraz's batting has been a thing of concern for the Tigers. Nevertheless, both of them are undroppable at the moment due to their three dimensional skills and Bangladesh will have them in the playing XI against Pakistan.


Bowlers: Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and Mustafizur Rahman

Bangladesh have their three best bowlers playing in the competition at the moment. Taskin and Mustafizur are one of their experienced campaigner and with their change-ups and slight nibble can be effective. Shoriful has burst out of the scene and proved his mettle with the white cherry. He has snapped eight wickets from six innings.


Bangladesh Predicted XI against Pakistan

Litton Das, Tanzid Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, and Shoriful Islam.