WEBDESK: Champions Trophy hosts, Pakistan will be looking to get a win in the PAK vs BAN match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on February 27th.
While there is no moving on to the semi finals for either side at the tournament, there is still plenty to play for. With no wins for either side in their whole campaign, players will be looking to end their campaign on a high. Pakistan will be looking to secure a huge victory in front of their home fans to provide some sense of security for the future while Bangladesh will have a point to prove to themselves – that they belong to this category of teams in such high-level competitions.
However, the game faces the risk of being washed out due to rain.
Will it rain today in the PAK vs BAN game?
It has not been a tournament to remember for either side with both teams losing their opening two teams and being eliminated from the competition. However, they will be sharing the same sentiment when they take to the field today i.e. ‘playing for pride.’
However, that could end on an even more disappointing note as the game faces the threat of being washed out due to rain. According to the weather forecast by Pakistan Meteorological Department, more intermittent rains/thunderstorms are predicted in Islamabad and Rawalpindi which could end the tournament for both teams earlier than expected.
Both teams will be hoping that the rain stays away for today’s game so they can play their final game and look to gain some pride out of it.
Moving on to the match preview, here’s how the two sides look on paper.
Squads for PAK vs BAN game:
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi
Bangladesh: Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, MD Mahmud Ullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana
Recent Form:
Pakistan: As the tournament hosts, Pakistan were one of the favourites for the Champions Trophy. However, they will not be defending their 2017 Champions Trophy title after losing back to back games. New Zealand soundly defeated them by 60 runs in the opening game of the tournament before Pakistan suffered a disappointing loss to India by 6 wickets. At the time, Mohammad Rizwan blamed ‘mistakes’ for their losses, which will be an area of focus for the game against Bangladesh. Aaqib Javed, the Pakistani head coach, said that the team lacks experience compared to India and other cricketing nations.
Bangladesh: On the other hand, Bangladesh don’t look to be in rich vein of form either. They have not had any One Day International (ODI) success lately. They lost their last ODI series against West Indies (3-0) and have lost both of their games in the Champions Trophy as well. The problem has been their inconsistent batting which they will be looking to address in their match against Pakistan.
Player Spotlight:
Pakistan: Muhammad Rizwan
As the captain of the Pakistani team, Rizwan will be looking to stand out as a leader, not only with his captaincy, but also when he comes out to bat as well. He played a hard fought innings of 46 runs off 77 balls against India, as him and Saud Shakeel did their best to build a defendable total. The innings went downhill once he lost his wicket. He’ll know that he has the responsibility of scoring big in this game if it comes to that point.
Bangladesh: Mehidy Hasan Miraz
Given his dual bat and ball role, Miraz has the potential to play a starring role for the Tigers. The right arm off-spinner is Bangladesh’s top-ranked ODI bowler (27th) and also bats up the order. But the all-rounder is yet to do anything of significance in either department at the Champions Trophy, scoring just 18 runs in two combined innings and going wicket-less from his 20 overs. He will be looking to change that against Pakistan and cause them the same problems that proved fatal for them against India in the middle overs.
How to watch PAK vs BAN game?
Pakistan: PTV and Ten Sports
Streaming options: Myco and Tamasha app
The games can also be viewed on ICC.tv (In select territories).
