In a crucial clash at the World Cup 2023, Pakistan is set to take on Bangladesh at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. With both teams struggling to find their footing in the tournament, this day-night encounter on Tuesday, October 31, promises to be a high-stakes battle that could determine their future in the competition.
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Pakistan finds itself in a precarious situation as they languish in the 7th position on the points table. With just 4 points from 6 matches, Pakistan’s hopes of finishing in the top four seem bleak. They are facing immense pressure to break their losing streak, having lost their last 4 games, including a heart-wrenching 1-wicket defeat to South Africa where they failed to defend a total of 270.
The off-field controversies surrounding Pakistan cricket have added to their woes, with the recent resignation of Inzamam-ul-Haq as chief selector amid conflict of interest allegations. Despite these setbacks, Pakistan aims to keep their mathematical hopes alive with a victory over Bangladesh in this critical encounter.
On the other side of the pitch, Bangladesh is enduring a torrid time at the 2023 World Cup. They currently occupy the 9th position with just one victory from 6 games. Captain Shakib Al Hasan admitted that his public spat with Tamim Iqbal might have affected the morale of the team. Furthermore, Bangladesh’s campaign is being regarded as their worst in World Cup history.
PAK vs BAN Head-to-Head in ODIs
Pakistan and Bangladesh have clashed 38 times in One Day Internationals (ODIs), with Pakistan holding a dominant 33-5 record. While Bangladesh has come close to defeating Pakistan on a few occasions, the historical stats favour the men in green.
PAK vs BAN Head-to-Head in World Cup
In the ODI World Cup, these teams have met twice, with each side securing a victory. In a memorable encounter during the 1999 World Cup, Bangladesh stunned Pakistan by 62 runs in a low-scoring game. However, in the 2019 edition, Pakistan registered a comprehensive 94-run triumph at Lord’s. This indicates that World Cup encounters between the two sides tend to be unpredictable and full of surprises.
The recent head-to-head clashes have seen Pakistan and Bangladesh facing off in a few thrilling matches. In their last five ODI meetings, Pakistan holds a 3-2 advantage over Bangladesh. However, it’s worth noting that these encounters took place between 2015 and 2019, and the recent form may not accurately reflect the current state of both teams.
The Pakistan vs Bangladesh clash at the World Cup 2023 is not just a match; it’s a battle to resurrect their campaigns and regain lost pride. Both teams are in dire need of a victory to keep their World Cup dreams alive. The cricketing world eagerly awaits this showdown at Eden Gardens, hoping for a match filled with drama, tension, and memorable moments.
