Pakistan v Bangladesh, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 – Match 31
October 31, 2023
2 pm local time
Eden Gardens, Kolkata

PAK vs BAN, World Cup 2023 Match 31: Live score

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Pakistan vs Bangladesh, World Cup 2023: Toss and live updates

Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first.

PAK vs BAN, World Cup 2023 Match 31: Team news

Pakistan have been engulfed by a lot of off-field drama in the last few days after their defeat against South Africa. From leaked WhatsApp messages to conflict of interest stories, it has been a complete mess. Add to that the team’s dismal performances on the field and it paints a sorry picture.

Pakistan’s spinners have been highly ineffective, although Usama Mir’s two wickets in the last match after coming in as a concussion substitute for Shadab Khan would give them hope. Pakistan would also like to work on their intent while batting, which has been missing in this World Cup.

Bangladesh have had a dismal campaign so far, winning only one game out of six. Given the way the Eden Gardens pitch behaved in their last game against Netherlands, Bangladesh would probably stick to the same XI with, but they’ll have to pull up their socks in terms of performance.

Pakistan vs Bangladesh playing XIs

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

Bangladesh: Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mahmudullah, Towhid Hridoy, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.

Match prediction: Who will win today’s PAK vs BAN match?

Both teams are equally out of form, having lost their last four matches each. However, the Kolkata surface offered enough assistance for spinners in the previous game, and if it behaves similarly, Bangladesh have better spin options than Pakistan to capitalize on it.