Pakistan-Bangladesh: One other scorching rivalry to kick off Super Four spherical
Big image: Teams share sophisticated relationship
Talk of rivalries has dominated the Asia Cup. India-Pakistan. Pakistan-Afghanistan. The Naagin derby. Heck, you might even throw within the Rohit derby.
Here’s one other scorching rivalry to kick off the Super Four stage. Pakistan and Bangladesh have endured a protracted and sophisticated relationship on and off the sector, and Wednesday shall be their first ODI assembly for the reason that 2019 World Cup.
It was in opposition to Pakistan, in fact, that Bangladesh had their breakthrough moment as a cricketing nation. It was additionally in opposition to Pakistan, nevertheless, that they skilled their most protracted wrestle to show the positive aspects from that breakthrough into outcomes on the sector. Between Bristol 1999 and Mirpur 2015, Bangladesh beat each different opposition no less than as soon as in worldwide cricket, however misplaced 40 straight games to Pakistan. Some of these defeats have been real heartbreaks, not least these within the Asia Cups of 2012 and 2014.
They have turned a nook since then, definitely in ODIs the place they’ve overwhelmed Pakistan 4 occasions of their final 5 conferences, although the final of them was on the 2019 World Cup. Pakistan have dominated the rivalry since then, in Tests and T20Is, however these outcomes can have little bearing on Wednesday’s match for the reason that 50-overs format is the place Bangladesh are at their strongest.
You’d must depend Pakistan as favourites since they’re enjoying at house and appear to have each base lined as befits the world’s No. 1 ODI facet. Bangladesh, already weakened by accidents to key gamers, are actually additionally without Najmul Hossain Shanto, their most in-form batter. But they are a sensible, skilled group who know their manner round ODI cricket, and so they’re conversant in the situations with Lahore, having pulled off a rousing win there over Afghanistan on Sunday. Expect them to be well-prepared and prepared for no matter Pakistan must throw at them.
Form information
Pakistan WWWWL (final 5 accomplished ODIs, most up-to-date first)
Bangladesh WLWLL
In the highlight: Fakhar Zaman and Shoriful Islam
Since scoring three lots of on the bounce in opposition to New Zealand in May, Fakhar Zaman has made 19, 14, 33, 2, 30, 27 and 14 in his final seven ODI innings. If he will get in in opposition to Bangladesh, he’ll attempt his hardest to verify he stays in.
It’s early days but, however Shoriful Islam has a terrific file after 19 ODIs, with 30 wickets at a median of 24.93. The left-arm fast is contemporary off a three-wicket haul in opposition to Afghanistan, and will trigger Pakistan’s high order issues if he can get the brand new ball transferring round.
Team news: Litton set to switch Shanto
Pakistan performed the identical XI in each their group video games, and it appears unlikely they will make any modifications, although the heavy presence of left-handers in Bangladesh’s line-up may make them pass over left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz and substitute him with an additional seamer in Faheem Ashraf.
Pakistan (possible): 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Imam-ul-Haq, 3 Babar Azam (capt), 4 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 5 Agha Salman, 6 Iftikhar Ahmed, 7 Shadab Khan, 8 Faheem Ashraf/Mohammad Nawaz, 9 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 10 Naseem Shah, 11 Haris Rauf.
Litton Das, who has recovered from the sickness that stored him out of the group stage, is predicted to stroll again into the highest order instead of Shanto. It shall be fascinating to see if he opens, or if Mehidy Hasan Miraz stays there after his century in opposition to Afghanistan.
Bangladesh (possible): 1 Mohammad Naim, 2 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 3 Litton Das, 4 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 5 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 6 Towhid Hridoy, 7 Shamim Hossain, 8 Afif Hossain, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Shoriful Islam, 11 Hasan Mahmud.
Pitch and situations
Conditions on the Gaddafi Stadium are typically batting-friendly, with the final 5 ODIs right here producing three 300-plus first-innings totals in addition to Sri Lanka’s 291 in opposition to Afghanistan on Tuesday. The climate is predicted to be sizzling and dry, with temperatures within the mid-30s Celsius.
Stats and trivia
- Bangladesh are but to beat Pakistan in Pakistan in any format. They have misplaced every of their conferences in 11 ODIs, 5 Tests and three T20Is.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi (22.39) has the best average of all Pakistan bowlers with no less than 50 ODI wickets forward of Sarfraz Nawaz (23.22), Wasim Akram (23.52) and Waqar Younis (23.84).
- Mohammad Rizwan is one catch in need of 50 as a keeper in ODIs. He has additionally taken 12 catches as a fielder.
Karthik Krishnaswamy is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo