Bangladesh’s incredible batting performance against Afghanistan is what got them to this point after a disappointing tournament debut.
Will the Lahore soccer pitch perform as well as the Pallekele one? It might not even matter because Pakistan appears to have an assault that can challenge the majority of batting lineups on the majority of playing surfaces worldwide. They have a trio in Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf that Indian batters found difficult to adjust to the other night. Bangladesh and its batters will face a similar struggle in what will be this edition’s first Super Four match.
Pakistan couldn’t have asked for a finer location or time to begin this stage of the competition. They leave the highs of their bowling performance against India, which practically awarded them match honors despite the fact that rain forced the points to be divided, for Lahore. It’s all the more important to perform well and get off to a strong start because the Wednesday match will be their final home game in this Asia Cup, with Multan serving as the only other venue. They would welcome improvements, the most notable of which would be some runs from Fakhar Zaman, who had a quiet August.
Mehidy Hasan‘s second ODI hundred was the result of their daring move to start him as the opener in the absence of an experienced top player. He will, however, be put to the test a little more against Pakistan’s pace and swing, and more crucially, Bangladesh will be without Najmul Hossain Shanto, their other centurion in the match, who has been eliminated from the competition.
When: Super 4, Match 1, 2:30 p.m. local time, 3 p.m. IST, Pakistan vs. Bangladesh
Where: Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium
What to expect: Lahore is predicted to have a strong batting surface, but it’s also predicted to be a very hot day, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees. As a result, fast bowlers might need to take a break or rotate.
a. Team watch
Pakistan
Pakistan is unlikely to change the lineup after two successful games in terms of their bowling, unless the intense heat compels them to rest one of their fast bowlers.
Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (w), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf make up the probable XI.
Bangladesh
Litton Das has rejoined the team after getting over his illness, however as was already mentioned, Najmul Hossain Shanto won’t be playing because of a hamstring injury. When Litton bats, it’s likely to be at position three, maintaining the opening duo of Mehidy and Mohammad Naim.
Mohammad Naim, Mehidy Hasan, Litton Das, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (w), Shakib Al Hasan (c), Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Hasan Mahmud comprise the probable XI.
Did you realize?
In the previous five completed ODIs versus Pakistan, Bangladesh has prevailed four times.
In his brief 12-match ODI career, Naseem Shah has never gone without a wicket.
In ODI games this year, Babar Azam has two hundreds and eight scores of at least fifty.
India
