Haris Rauf celebrates a wicket with teammates in Asia Cup 2023 [X.com]
Pakistan will host Bangladesh in Lahore to signal the launch of Super Four round of the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. The match marks a conclusion to Pakistan’s share of hosting matches, as the action will subsequently shift to Sri Lanka for the remainder of the tournament.
The much-awaited fixture is also Pakistan’s first ODI meeting with Bangladesh since their 2019 World Cup clash in England more than four years ago. In head-to-head battles between the two sides, Bangladesh have emerged victorious on four occasions in their past five meetings.
PAK vs BAN: Team Previews
Pakistan
Pakistan, under Babar Azam, remains a team to beat this Asia Cup 2023. Following centuries from captain and Iftikhar Ahmed, the ‘Men in Green’ folded up Nepal for just 104 to secure a 238-run win in their opening match of the competition.
Pakistan also reduced a star-studded Indian top-order to 66-4 before lower-order resistance stretched the total to 266. However, both sides walked away with a point each, owing to persistent rains in the second innings.
Babar Azam’s troops are currently on a four-match winning streak, considering they also steamrolled Afghanistan by a 3-0 margin just days before the launch of the 2023 Asia Cup.
Bangladesh
Najmul Hossain Shanto has been ruled out of Asia Cup [X.com]
A struggling Bangladesh unit failed to overcome Asia Cup 2023 co-hosts Sri Lanka in their opening Group B fixture last week. However, they fought back with an 89-run routing of Afghanistan to storm into the Super Four stage of the tournament.
While Bangladesh’s recent ODI form has been marred with a home series defeat and Asia Cup injury-struck absence of key players, Shakib Al Hasan and co. can take much confidence from their superior head-to-head record against Pakistan.
PAK vs BAN: Match Details & Live Streaming
Date and Time | September 6, 3:00 PM IST |
Venue | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
Live Streaming and Broadcast | Star Sports Network, Hotstar |
PAK vs BAN: Lahore Pitch Report
The conditions at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium generally favour the batters, with some turn on offer for the spinners as well. The average first innings score at the venue across 71 ODIs has been 252. Considering the recent record, the captains winning the toss will likely opt to bat first.
PAK vs BAN: Probable Playing 11
Pakistan have announced their playing XI, while Bangladesh might bring Litton Das in place of Najmul Hossain Shanto, who has been ruled out of the Asia Cup.
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
Bangladesh: Mohammad Naim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Anamul Haque/Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Afif Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud
PAK vs BAN: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicketkeepers | Mohammad Rizwan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das |
Batters | Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq |
All-Rounders | Shakib Al Hasan, Shadab Khan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz |
Bowlers | Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Taskin Ahmed |
Captain | Babar Azam |
Vice-Captain | Shaheen Afridi/Shakib Al Hasan |
PAK vs BAN: Winner Prediction
Pakistan, owing to their recent form and home advantage, will be considered as favourites to edge past Bangladesh in the opening Asia Cup 2023 Super Four game.