PAK vs. BAN Live Score: The Asia Cup 2023 is taking an interesting turn as the fiery Super 4 stage of the tournament will begin. The first match of the Super 4 stage of the marquee event will see Pakistan locking horns with Bangladesh. It will be a big challenge for Bangladesh as they will face the mighty Pakistan team who have performed exceptionally in the first two fixtures of the tournament. In their last clash against India, they were unlucky to share points with arch-rivals as rain played a spoilsport. But in today’s fixture, they will try their best to impose their dominance in the Super 4 stage by outclassing Bangladesh.
On the other hand, Bangladesh is coming into this clash on the back of a gleaming win over Afghanistan. They will aim to continue their winning spree against one of the World’s best cricket teams. However, their batting order lacks consistency which should be dealt with heading into this fixture. They will aim to beat all the odds & script history by defeating the hosts in their home ground.
PAK vs BAN: TEAMS PREVIEW
Pakistan Preview
Babar Azam & CO were at their absolute best in both the league stage fixtures of the tournament. They first defeated rising team Nepal by a huge margin & later put up a tough show against India. However, destiny was in India’s favor as rain played a spoilsport resulting in both the teams sharing points. Now heading into the Super 4 stage Pakistan will try their best to kick-start it on a winning note by outclassing Bengal Tigers.
With an added home advantage & good records against Bangladesh, Pakistan could have an upper hand in this fixture. In the batting order, Zaman & Imam who couldn’t play in their last fixture will aim to provide the team with an ideal start. On the other hand, the middle order will be taken care of by Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan & Agha Salman. Iftikhar emerged with flying colors against Nepal & will aim to replicate the same performance in today’s clash against Bangladesh. The team will expect a few runs from the lower order comprising Shaheen Shah Afridi & Shadab Khan.
In the bowling order, Pakistan boasts of a lethal pace attack with the presence of in-form pacers Naseem Shah & Shaheen Shah Afridi. The pair will aim to provide early breakthroughs with the new ball. Shadab Khan & Haris Rauf have done well in the last fixture agaisnt India. They will try to keep the scoreboard under check in the middle overs. There comes a change in the Pakistan lineup as Faheem Ashraf will replace Nawaz in the Playing XI. This is because there are too many left-hand batters in Bangladesh’s lineup
Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:
Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
Bangladesh Preview
Bangladesh will be brimming with confidence as they are marching into this fixture on the back of a glemaing 89-run win over Afghanistan. They will try to carry forward the same momentum in this fixture as well. However, outclassing Pakistan on their home ground will be a difficult task & the Bangla Tigers need to be at their absolute best if they aim to do so.
In the batting order, Litton Das will be tasked to provide the team with an ideal start along with Mohammad Naim. In the middle order, the onus of delivering runs will be on Mehidy Hasan Miraz. He will get valuable support from Towhid Hridoy and Najmul Hossain Shanto. While their lower middle order will be handled by Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib, and Afif Hossain. The entire batting lineup who often looks inconsistent needs to get out of their shell & deliver when facing the astute Pakistani clan.
In the bowling order, the team will need good starts from Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam. Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib have a lot of experience, and they will look to put pressure on the Pakistanis. The side will further aim for a good show from bowlers like Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Afif Hossain as everyone needs to do their job if dismantling Pakistan’s batting order is their goal.
Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI:
Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mohammad Naim, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Afif Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman
PAK vs. BAN Dream11 Prediction Picks:
- Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan, Mushfiqur Rahim
- Batters: Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed
- All-rounders: Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shadab Khan
- Bowlers: Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Taskin Ahmed
PAK vs. BAN Dream11 Prediction Captain and Vice-Captain:
Choice 1: Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Rashid Khan (vc)
Choice 2: Maheesh Theekshan (c), Ibrahim Zadran (vc)
Pitch & Weather
The weather conditions in Lahore will be clear with no chances of rain. The pitch here is batter-friendly as the ball comes to the bat nicely allowing batters to make strokes easily. The team batting first will aim to put a 300-plus score on board. The pitch provides little assistance to fast bowlers while the spinners will have an upper hand in this fixture. Looking at the records & nature of the pitch, the team winning the toss should opt to bat first.
PAK vs BAN: Winning Prediction
Bangladesh has a string bowling attack but their batting order lacks consistency as visible in the last six months. Their top order must return with runs if defeating Pakistan is on their mind. The hosts are in astute form & are currently the top team in the ODI format. The performance they showed in front of India was remarkable & they will aim to do the same in this fixture as well. Considering all the factors, Pakistan looks favorite to win this fixture.
Prediction: Pakistan to win
Also read, Top Records achieved during IND vs NEP Asia Cup 2023 Clash
