Pakistan and Bangladesh seek the proverbial ‘pride’ in dead rubber

Pakistan vs Bangladesh: A Dead Rubber with Pride at Stake in ICC Champions Trophy 2025

As the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 nears its conclusion, the match between hosts Pakistan and Bangladesh on February 27 holds little significance in terms of progression to the semifinals. Both teams, having suffered defeats against New Zealand and India, have already seen their tournament dreams dashed. This encounter at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will be a battle for pride, offering both sides a chance to end their campaigns on a positive note.

Key Points:

• Dead Rubber Clash:
  The Group A fixture between Pakistan and Bangladesh is a dead rubber, with neither side able to qualify for the semifinals. Both teams have underperformed in the tournament, and this match will be about salvaging some pride rather than aiming for progression.
• Disappointing Performances:
  Both sides have struggled with their batting. Bangladesh managed to post modest totals of 228 and 240, while Pakistan struggled with the chase, scoring just 260 in response to 321 and setting a low target of 241 in another match. These underwhelming totals have been crucial in their inability to advance to the semifinals.
• Potential for a Soggy Farewell:
  Weather conditions may play a role in this match. The Australia vs. South Africa match was abandoned due to rain at the same venue, and the forecast for February 27 predicts similar weather conditions, potentially leading to a damp ending for both teams.
• Team changes expected:
  With nothing to lose, Pakistan could give opportunities to players who haven’t featured in the tournament so far. Kamran Ghulam, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammed Hasnain, and Usman Khan might get a chance in the playing XI.
  • Probable XI for Pakistan:
    Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Usman Khan, Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Salman Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
• Bangladesh’s Transition:
  For Bangladesh, this may be the last ICC ODI event for Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah. The team is expected to shift focus towards younger players as they build up for future one-day events.
  • Probable XI for Bangladesh:
    Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, and Mustafizur Rahman
• Key Stats and Facts:
  • Pakistan vs. Bangladesh will be their first-ever Champions Trophy encounter.
  • The highest number of dot balls in a match during the tournament:
    • 181 (BAN vs NZ)
    • 162 (PAK vs NZ)
    • 160 (BAN vs IND)
    • 156 (AFG vs SA)
    • 152 (PAK vs IND)
  • Pakistan’s scoring rate in the first 10 overs since January 2023 is the second lowest among current Champions Trophy teams, at 4.84 runs per over.
• Captain’s Words:
  Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed his frustration with the team’s batting performances, stating:
  “I have said a lot of times that we need to improve a lot as a batting unit, but we repeated the same mistakes over and over. After this tournament, I hope we will make changes, think in a different way, and improve our batting.”

What to Expect:

While both teams are already eliminated from the race to the Champions Trophy semifinals, this match will still hold sentimental value. For Pakistan and Bangladesh, it’s an opportunity to put their disappointing campaigns behind them and finish on a high note, albeit with a sense of what could have been.

Match Details:

• When: Thursday, February 27 at 2:00 PM Local Time
• Where: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Both teams will aim to play with freedom, unburdened by the pressures of qualification, and perhaps give their fans something to cheer for in this inconsequential but eagerly anticipated encounter.