Reeling at the bottom of the points table with a single win, Bangladesh’s hopes of semi-final qualification are not yet mathematically over but are slim to none in reality. Their focus now is on turning their tournament around to secure qualification for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Captain Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and elected to bat first, and revealed Mahedi Hasan would be replaced by Towhid Hridoy in the starting XI.

Meanwhile, Pakistan replaced Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz and injured Shadab Khan with Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha, and Usama Mir.

Imam has scored 162 runs at a below-par average of 27 from his six outings in the 2023 World Cup so far. This is Pakistan’s third opening combination in this tournament after Fakhar lost his place earlier to Abdullah Shafique.

During Pakistan’s last game against South Africa, Mir replaced vice-captain Shadab as a concussion substitute. Shadab has not recovered in time for this fixture with his third concussion in 13 months.

Pakistan are coming into this match after four consecutive losses to India, Australia, Afghanistan and South Africa. Bangladesh come into the game off the back of five consecutive losses.

Bangladesh: Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (C), Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Mahmudullah Riyad, Tawhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam.

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf.