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We're down to the last set of games in the group stage of the Champions Trophy 2025. And with it comes the first dead-rubber as two Asian rivals fight it out to restore some pride and end their listless campaigns on some sort of a positive note.
Hosts Pakistan have endured a nightmare so far with resounding defeats to New Zealand and India sending them crashing out of the tournament just six days into it. For a competition that was hyped around the country hosting their first ever ICC event in 29 years, it has been a sorry show by the Pakistan team who will now feature just once more in the competition.
Bangladesh have certainly put up much more of a fight even as they have been brushed aside without too much of a fuss either. But the very fact that neither of their defeats seemed in doubt is testament to how they've stumbled along and crashed from a time they were considered a serious one-day outfit about three years ago.
And now, with their pride hurt, both teams set out in a bid to bring some smiles - to the faces of their faces but also their own. With it also comes the opportunity to experiment and try out some fresh faces with an eye on the future.
In that regard, expect Kamran Ghulam, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Hasnain and Usman Khan to come into the mix for an opportunity. Pakistan may as well try them all out and seek solutions for problems that have prevailed for quite a long time in their setup. Their batting in particular is in dire need of a revival and a change in approach. With skipper Mohammad Rizwan playing a sluggish innings in Dubai against India, his own performance will be under scrutiny - something that has now become habituated with Babar Azam.
Saud Shakeel top-scored for Pakistan against India but he too was slow to get off the blocks. Imam-ul-Haq, drafted in as Fakhar Zaman's replacement, failed to leave a mark and it's he who could be swapped out for Usman. Agha Salman and Khushdil Shah have impressed so far but too much is being expected of them with the ball.
Speaking of the bowling, the pacers have been a letdown with Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi just not proving to be effective enough. Naseem Shah has bowled alright while young Abrar Ahmed has been a rare shining spark for Pakistan in an otherwise dismal campaign. Expect one of Rauf or Shaheen to sit out for Hasnain - or both could with Faheem perhaps slotting in as the third seamer.
Bangladesh have similar issues on the batting front. Having played 101 dots across their first 25 overs against New Zealand, they lost the match well in advance despite their seamers putting up a fight with the new ball. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto fought a lone battle before Jaker Ali impressed in the second half of the innings but Shanto's own scoring tempo left a lot to be desired.
Tanzid Hasan has looked to be positive but starts of 25 and 24 have shown why his List A average is under 27 despite all the obvious talent he possesses. Mushfiqur Rahim has not fired and it's imperative he does lest his spot come under the scanner. Mahmudullah will want to put behind a tame dismissal against the Blackcaps and leave his own mark even as a chance for Parvez Hossain Emon cannot be ruled out.
The bowlers have certainly shown a lot of character so far with the spinners impressing against India and the pacers turning up against New Zealand. Nahid Rana's velocity and control were both mighty impressive a couple of days ago while Taskin Ahmed continues to do what he does best. One of Taskin or Mustafizur Rahman could sit out though to give Tanzim Hasan Sakib another opportunity. Whether left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed is given a go or not remains to be seen though.
Normally, Pakistan would start favorites in home conditions. But Bangladesh's bowling unit has fared better than the hosts and with both teams down and out, it's very hard to pick a potential winner. Pakistan are desperate to give their fans something to cheer about though and they would be hoping that that's enough motivation to fuel them to put their best foot forward.
Amidst all of this is the possibility of rain in Rawalpindi with the drainage at the ground not the best in the world. The campaigns of both these teams have turned into a damp squib - let's hope this contest doesn't turn into one in a literal sense with the crowd bound to look forward to some kind of entertainment!
Pakistan Probable XI: Usman Khan, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Kamran Ghulam, Agha Salman, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Abrar Ahmed
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Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
