Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan vs Bangladesh – Match Preview

The hosts Pakistan will lock horns against Bangladesh in a dead rubber in the ninth match of the ongoing Champions Trophy at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi on Thursday. Both of these Asian teams have been knocked out of the tournament after losing their last two games.

The last game at this venue between Australia and Pakistan was washed out due to rain and the rain gods will once again threaten the progress of the game. We look at the current form, head-to-head, players to look out for, and squads of both teams in our match preview.

Current form of Bangladesh: L L L L L

Bangladesh haven’t been at their best in the recent past and their batters must get a big score. The Tigers could only score 236 in their last game against New Zealand and their batting unit must pull up their socks.

Current form of Pakistan: L L L W L

Pakistan have managed a solitary win in their last game. The Men in Green suffered a six-wicket loss against India and their batters could not deliver. The hosts must play with intent to reap rewards and the players would look to come up with a collective effort.

Head to Head: Matches: 39, Won by Pakistan: 34, Won by Bangladesh: 5.

Players to watch out for: Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehidy Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, and Soumya Sarkar will hold the key for Bangladesh.

Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Salman Ali Agha will hold the key for the hosts.

Bangladesh: Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mohammad Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossai Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana.

Pakistan squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.