Bangladesh and Pakistan are out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, both having lost their first two games to New Zealand and India in Group A.
In terms of qualification, this is a dead rubber, but, being the hosts, Pakistan will want to end the tournament on a winning note. As for Bangladesh, they will also be playing for pride.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 | Match 9: Pakistan vs Bangladesh | 14:30 IST, February 27
A lot of hope was pinned on Pakistan to perform well in the marquee event they were hosting. Some even backed them go on and defend their crown from eight years ago.
In their previous match against archrivals India, they could only manage a below-par score of 241/10 in 49.4 overs, with only Saud Shakeel (62) and Mohammad Rizwan (46) managing to make decent contributions. The Indian bowling attack performed exceptionally well, with Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya shining in particular with figures of 3/40 and 2/30, respectively.
In response, India chased down the total with ease. Virat Kohli led India to the win with an unbeaten 100 off 111 balls. He was ably supported by Shubman Gill (46) and Shreyas Iyer (56). Abrar Ahmed was the only Pakistani bowler who troubled the Indian batters, giving away 28 runs in his ten overs and taking a wicket. Shaheen Shah Afridi did get two wickets, but he was clobbered for runs.
Pakistan’s lack of intent with the bat troubled them in both encounters. Fear of losing wickets led to their demise as they played too slow in the middle overs even after building promising partnerships. Their wayward bowling and sloppy fielding did not help either.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, were expected to go out in the group stage, having come into the tournament in poor form and given the opposition. Their batting let them down in both the games.
In their last match against New Zealand, Bangladesh scored 236/9 batting first, with Najmul Hossain Shanto being the top scorer with 77 runs off 111 balls, supported by Jaker Ali, who scored 45 off 55. Michael Bracewell was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers with figures of 4/26 from his ten-over quota. In response, New Zealand did stumble in the chase, losing five wickets and winning with only 23 balls to spare, even though Rachin Ravindra registered a century and Tom Latham a half-century. Taskin Ahmed bowled well, giving away 28 runs and taking one wicket.
Considering the form and quality of the two sides, we give Pakistan the edge over Bangladesh. With the home crowd backing them, the Men in Green should be able to bow out of the tournament on a high note.
Fantasy XI: Babar Azam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mohammad Rizwan (c) (wk), Saud Shakeel, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Salman Ali Agha, Rishad Hossain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmad, Taskin Ahmed.
Winners Prediction: Pakistan
Venue: Rawalpindi, Pakistan
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