31 October,2023 02:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Saheehn Shah Afridi (Pic: AFP)
ICC World Cup 2023 match between Pakistan and Bangladesh is being played in Kolkata at Eden Gardens. Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan.
Both the teams are struggling to secure a win from the previous few games. Who secures the win today, will be a point to watch out for.
Also Read: ICC World Cup 2023, NZ vs SA: Race to the semis
Squad changes:
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Bangladesh's Towhid Hridoy finds a place in the XI as Mahedi Hasan misses out.
Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman walks back into the side to open with Imam ul Haq having to make way. Shadab Kahn has still not recovered in time for this one and that's another opportunity for Usama Mir. Agha Salman finally gets his big chance as he replaces Mohammad Nawaz in the playing XI.
Pakistan making Bangladesh batters struggle for runs
Tanzid Hasan and Liton Das opened the innings for Bangladesh. They lost the early wickets of Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim. The 'Bengal Tigers' were in a difficult position. Liton Das and Madhmudullah Riyad are trying to stabilize the innings.
Pakistan lead pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi struck two wickets of Hasan and Shanto. The 'Green Shirts' are making Bangladesh batters struggle for runs.
Pakistan have lost the last four matches of the ICC World Cup 2023. The losses have destroyed their team's dream to lift the cup. But, sitting in the seventh spot, Pakistan needs to win all the three matches left. Also, New Zealand, Australia and Sri Lanka have to lose one or more games for Pakistan to boost their chances of semi final's qualification.
Das and Mahmudullah had nailed their foot in the middle and were busy constructing Bangladesh's innings. But, Iftikhar Ahmed made a breakthrough by getting Liton Das's wicket for 45 runs. Skipper Hasan Ali enters the ground and joins Mahmudullah.
Squads:
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.
Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Kumer Das, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam.
