Pakistan is facing a critical situation as they prepare to take on Bangladesh on October 31. To maintain their chances of reaching the semi-finals, Pakistan must secure victories in all their remaining matches and secure a position in the Top 4. Currently, they are positioned in the 7th place, making their upcoming games crucial. In contrast, Bangladesh is in an even more challenging position, standing in the 9th place with just one win out of six matches. Their prospects of making it to the semi-finals seem bleak, but a victory against Pakistan could serve as a much-needed morale boost. In the 38 ODIs these two teams have played against each other, Pakistan has emerged victorious in 33 matches, while Bangladesh has won 5. Their most recent encounter took place in September 2023 during the Asia Cup, where Pakistan secured a 7-wicket victory.
In the context of World Cups, Pakistan and Bangladesh have clashed twice, with each team claiming one victory. In 2019, Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi played a pivotal role by taking 6 wickets for 35 runs, leading to a 94-run win over Bangladesh. However, in 1999, Bangladesh achieved one of the most significant upsets in World Cup history by defeating Pakistan by 62 runs. Khaled Mahmud was instrumental in taking wickets, including those of Shahid Afridi, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Saleem Malik.
The expected lineup for the upcoming match includes:
- Pakistan: Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafique, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shakib Al Hasan (Vice-Captain)
- Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim, Mustafizur Rahman, Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Usama Mir
Eden Gardens in Kolkata has hosted a total of 32 ODIs, and it is renowned as a favored ground for batsmen, particularly during the middle overs. The pitch, crafted from black cotton soil, initially offers good bounce, gradually favoring spin as the match progresses. Among these 32 matches, teams that have chosen to bat first have secured victory in 18 instances, while teams opting to bowl first have won 12 times. There have been two matches with no decisive result, underscoring the advantage of winning the toss and opting to bat first at this venue. In terms of the weather in Kolkata, the temperature is expected to rise to a high of 32 degrees. The humidity is substantial, standing at 79%. However, according to Weather.com, the chances of rain during the event are minimal. According to Google’s win probability, Pakistan is favored with a 75% chance of defeating Bangladesh in this match.
