Match: Bangladesh vs Pakistan, Cricket World Cup 2023 (BAN vs PAK)
Date: October 31, Tuesday, 2.00 PM IST
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Match 31 of Cricket World Cup 2023 will be played between Bangladesh and Pakistan at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Both teams stand little to no chance of making it to the semifinals.
Pakistan have won only two of their six games, and come into this game on the back of a narrow loss to South Africa in a thriller. Pakistan had set an impressive target of 270 runs, and their trio of fast bowlers managed to claim 7 wickets. But in the end, South Africa snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
To make it to the semi-final, Pakistan not only need to win all their remaining three games, but also hope that the results of other matches go their way.
Bangladesh’s World Cup campaign took a turn for the worse when they suffered a comprehensive 87-run defeat to the Netherlands in Kolkata on Saturday. None of their batsmen could score more than 40 runs and they failed to chase down 230.
Bangladesh have lost five out of six games and will be officially out of semifinal contention if they lose again on Tuesday.
Both Pakistan and Bangladesh come into this game with disappointing results and will be eager to reverse their form.
Ahead of match 31 of Cricket World Cup 2023, here is everything you need to know to maximise your chances of winning cash prizes on MPL fantasy.
Pakistan team news and predicted XI
Team news: Fakhar Zaman is fit and available for selection, and considering Imam-ul-Haq’s recent form, he might be given another chance in the team. Unfortunately, Shadab Khan, who couldn’t bowl in the previous match due to concussion, is unlikely to be fit for the upcoming game, which would open the door for Usama Mir to step in once again.
Squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.
Predicted XI: 1 Abdullah Shafique, 2 Imam-ul-Haq/Fakhar Zaman, 3 Babar Azam (c), 4 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 5 Saud Shakeel, 6 Iftikhar Ahmed, 7 Salman Ali Agha, 8 Usama Mir, 9 Hasan Ali, 10 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 11 Haris Rauf.
Bangladesh team news and predicted XI
Team news: Shakib Al Hasan complained of neck pain in the previous game and walked off the field before coming back after receiving treatment. He is fit for this match.
Squad: Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Litton Das (Vice-captain), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah Riyad, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Sakib, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman
Predicted XI: 1 Litton Das, 2 Tanzid Hasan, 3 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 4 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 5 Shakib Al Hasan (c), 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7 Mahmudullah, 8 Mahedi Hasan, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Shoriful Islam.
Head-to-head record for BAN vs PAK, Cricket World Cup 2023, match 31
Pakistan have a strong historical record against Bangladesh in ODI cricket, having won 33 matches and lost only five. Nevertheless, in their most recent encounters, Bangladesh have been competitive, winning four out of their last six clashes.
In the context of the ICC Cricket World Cup, these two teams have met twice. Bangladesh caused an upset by defeating Pakistan in 1999 in England, while Pakistan emerged victorious in their 2019 encounter in the same country.
Pitch report and weather update
We saw a low-scoring game between Netherlands and Bangladesh on Saturday at the Eden Gardens. But historically, the pitch has been balanced at this venue. Overall, a total of 36 ODI matches have been played at the Eden Gardens, of which 21 were won by the teams batting first. The average first innings score reads 241.
The weather in Kolkata will be mostly warm and sunny and slightly pleasant in the evening. Rain is not forecast.
Five players to watch out for
Here we list five players you must pick in your MPL fantasy XI for BAN vs PAK, Cricket World Cup 2023
Shaheen Afridi – bowler, Pakistan
Shaheen Afridi has taken 13 wickets in six matches so far, nine of which have come in his last three outings. In the last game against South Africa, Shaheen took crucial wickets both with the new ball and in the final overs of the match, dismissing players such as Quinton de Kock, David Miller, and Gerald Coetzee. He will be looking to carry the momentum to Eden Gardens, where pacers find some assistance from the pitch.
Mohammad Rizwan – wicketkeeper batsman, Pakistan
Mohammad Rizwan is the top run-scorer for Pakistan at the Cricket World Cup 2023 so far. He has scored 333 runs in six matches, including a century and a half-century. Keeping in mind his consistency in the tournament, it would be wise to pick him as your fantasy team’s captain.
Shakib al Hasan – all-rounder, Bangladesh
The performance of the experienced all-rounder has been underwhelming. In five matches, he has taken only seven wickets and sored only 61 runs. But with the experience Shakib brings to the table, a match-winning performance could be round the corner.
Litton Das – wicketkeeper batsman, Bangladesh
Litton Das has been one of the better performers for Bangladesh in the tournament. He has scored two fifties, with one coming against India. If Bangladesh want to stand a chance to beat Pakistan, a contribution from Das will be of much importance.
Babar Azam – batsman, Pakistan
Pressure has been mounting on Babar Azam – the captain as well as the batsman – with each passing day. Although he has scored three half-centuries in six games – 50, 74 and 50, fans expected longer innings from one of the world’s best batsmen. Now is the time for Babar to deliver – it is now or never.
MPL XI for BAN vs PAK, Cricket World Cup 2023, Match 31
BAN vs PAK – where and what time to watch the match live in India
The Bangladesh vs Pakistan ODI will be televised on the Star Sports Network in India. You can also watch the game on the Disney + Hotstar app as well as the Jiocinema app. The match will begin at 2.00 PM IST on October 31.
Check out our detailed guide on fantasy cricket for more tips and tricks. https://www.mpl.live/blog/todays-match-prediction/
Note: The players recommended here need not be a part of the Playing 11 on game day. Users are advised to do their own research also and follow official sources and create their teams.
