Champions Trophy 2025: Predicting Pakistan’s Playing XI for their clash against Bangladesh

The ‘down and out’ and ‘struggling’ Pakistan will take on Bangladesh in their third and last league match in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The ninth game of the tournament will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on February 27, at 2:30 PM (IST). 

It will be a ‘game of prestige’ for the Pakistan Cricket Team as they have already been knocked out of the tournament after facing two consecutive defeats against New Zealand and India, respectively. So, the Men in Green will aim to beat Bangladesh and end their journey on a winning note. 

The predicted Pakistan’s Playing XI for their clash against Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy 2025:

Openers – 

The Pakistan management will look ahead to go with the unchanged opening pair of Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam in their game against Bangladesh. The duo stitched a steady partnership of 41 runs for the first wicket before the team started losing wickets in quick succession. 

Babar Azam scored 23 runs off 26 balls, with five fours; he looked in good intent with the bat before getting nicked off Hardik Pandya’s delivery. He will aim to regain his form back in the next game. On the other hand, Imam-ul-Haq will also aim to score a big knock to secure his opening spot in the team. 

Middle-Order –  

Pakistan’s middle order will start with the number three batter Saud Shakeel, who was the leading run-scorer for his side during a losing cause against India. He scored 62 runs off 76 balls, with five fours. He will be followed by skipper Mohammad Rizwan at number four, who scored 46 runs in the last game against India. 

However, the Pakistan management might make a change in the middle order by replacing the out-of-form Tayyab Tahir with Kamran Ghulam. Given that, Kamran is expected to bat at number five for Pakistan in the game against Bangladesh. 

All-Rounders –  

Speaking of the all-rounders for Pakistan, they might go ahead with Salman Agha and Khushdil Shah in the playing XI. Both the players have shown good intent with the bat in the previous two games when the team was going through a collapse. 

Khushdil Shah scored 38 runs in the last game against India, hitting two sixes followed by scalping 1 wicket with the ball in the second innings. So, the Agha-Khushdil duo might be picked as an all-rounder duo in the playing XI for the next game against Bangladesh. 

Bowlers – 

The bowling quartet of Pakistan is expected to remain the same, including three out-and-out pace bowlers, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf alongside a specialist spinner Abrar Ahmed. Notably, the main spinner Abrar Ahmed bowled the most economical spell of the entire India vs Pakistan game. 

He conceded only 28 runs in his 10 overs and scalped 1 big wicket of star India opener Shubman Gill. Shaheen Afridi also bagged 2 wickets but went quite expensive with the ball. The pacers of the Pakistan cricket team will be eyeing making a comeback after their miserable performances in the first two games.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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