ICC World Cup 2019: Warm-up Match 6, Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Preview – Asian powerhouses, one wounded one high-flying, go head to head

One side has a glorious history with a horrendous present, failing to win any of their previous 11 ODIs. The other has defied the odds, grown in stature and defeated the 2-time world champions Windies thrice to win the Tri-series in Ireland. As far as form goes, Bangladesh should get the job done in this game, but one can never predict when Pakistan rise from the ashes and leave everyone astonished.

Apart from Wahab Riaz getting some reverse swing towards the end of the innings, there was no positive signs for the Pakistani bowling attack. Shadab Khan looked impressive but kept bowling the odd poor delivery and looked rusty. They have to work on a lot of things to get back on track as their first game is not too far away.

Bangladesh have sent their strongest squad ever to a World Cup, on the back of a top-8 finish in 2015. They look confident and most of their senior players are in terrific form, making life easy for skipper Mashrafe Mortaza. They are heading into the tournament with a solid ambition to win it and it will be interesting to see how far they go.

Playing combinations

Pakistan

Apart from Shoaib Malik and Babar Azam, no batsman spent time in the middle for the Men in Green. Mohammad Hafeez and Haris Sohail need some runs just to keep up with the other in-form batsmen. Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Afridi had a poor outing in the previous game but Hasnain and Wahab Riaz showed some promise. If there is any turn available again, Shadab and Imad Wasim will be in business.

Squad: Sarfaraz Ahmed (C, wk), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Asif Ali

Bangladesh

Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar have been amongst the runs, but Sabbir Rahman will be in the spotlight and maybe will bat at number 3. Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah will get some time in the middle just to not lose their rhythm. All the bowlers will be rolling their arm over given there are no injury scares. Mehidy Hasan and Shakib’s ability will be under the scrutiny on this track which didn’t offer much to the spinners in the last game.

Who will win the match? – ICC World Cup 2019: Warm-up Match 6, Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Match Prediction – Weather Report, Pitch Conditions, Playing XIs and Live Streaming Details

Squad: Mashrafe Mortaza (C), Abu Jayed, Liton Das (wk), Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan, Mohammad Mithun (wk), Mohammad Saifuddin, Mosaddek Hossain, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Shakib Al Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Tamim Iqbal.

Focus will be on

Mohammad Amir (Pakistan)

One of their most talented fast bowlers, Mohammad Amir has not been living up to the expectations since that mind-boggling spell in the Champions Trophy final in 2017. Many eyebrows were raised when he was picked in the squad at the expense of Junaid Khan, but the lad does pack a punch and one cannot disregard it. He doesn’t have a lot of time to prove his selectors’ decision right and he needs to pull up his socks.

Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh)

Bangladesh’s most decorated batsman of all time, Tamim Iqbal is playing his the most important World Cup of his career. He always has been amongst the runs when it mattered the most for his side and perhaps this is the biggest of occasions in Bangladesh history. He did get a couple of good scores in the Tri-series, but fans expect a little more from him. Cardiff has been a great track for the batsmen in recent times and their most experienced batsman will definitely relish playing there.

Head to head

Matches Played – 36 | Pakistan won – 31 | Bangladesh won – 5

Broadcasting details

TV – Star Sports 2, Star Sports 2 HD

Live Stream – Hotstar