Pakistan vs Bangladesh, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Today Match Prediction 26 May 2019

pak vs ban Match Prediction & Analysis

Pakistan will be looking to turn things around when they face Bangladesh in the 6th warm-up game of ICC Cricket World Cup in Cardiff on Sunday.

In their previous game, Pakistan suffered a demoralizing defeat at the hands of Afghanistan, courtesy splendid performances from Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, and Rashid Khan. Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed will be hoping that Pakistan can put in an improved batting performance in this game.

On the other hand, Bangladesh will be confident of doing well in their opening warm-up game. The side led by Mashrafe Mortaza played excellent cricket in the recently concluded tri-nation series played in Ireland.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Pakistan Preview

The side delivered a lackluster performance against Afghanistan in the opening warm-up game of ICC Cricket World Cup. Sarfaraz Ahmed-led unit failed to get going in their innings and managed to score 263 runs, courtesy splendid century from Babar Azam. The bowlers were unable to create pressure on Afghanistan as they registered a historic three-wicket win in Bristol.

In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam to do the bulk of the scoring. Imam-ul-Haq failed to capitalize on his good start in the previous game played against Afghanistan and scored 32 off 35 balls with the help of five boundaries. Left-hander will be looking to make a notable score for the side against Bangladesh. Fakhar Zaman also perished after getting off to a decent start. He scored 19 off 23 balls with the help of two boundaries.

Babar Azam was the standout performer for the side in the warm-up game played against Afghanistan. He smashed a splendid century and held the innings together for Pakistan in the previous game. Azam scored 112 runs off 108 balls with the help of 10 fours and 2 sixes. Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hafeez, and Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed perished for low scores in the previous game. The batting trio will need to contribute with crucial scores for the side against Bangladesh.

Shoaib Malik chipped in with a decent score for Pakistan in the previous game played against Afghanistan. He scored 44 off 59 balls with the help of four fours and a six. The 37-year old will be looking to continue his good form with the bat in this game.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Mohammad Hasnain, Wahab Riaz, and Mohammad Amir to provide crucial wickets with the new-ball. Mohammad Amir bowled well his comeback game and conceded only 27 runs from his six overs. Riaz was the standout bowler for Pakistan and finished with figures of 3 for 46 from 7.4 overs.

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:

Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain &wk), Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Asif Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shoaib Malik, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz.

Bangladesh Preview

Mashrafe Mortaza will be looking to produce a decent show with the bat and ball in their warm-up game against Pakistan. The side will be looking to continue their winning momentum after winning the tri-nation series played in Ireland.

In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal, and Shakib Al Hasan to do the bulk of the scoring. Since Jan 2018, wicket-keeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has topped the batting charts for Bangladesh in limited-overs cricket. Rahim has scored 982 runs in 26 matches at an average of 49.10 with one century to his name.

Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal will be looking to find a form with the bat in this warm-up game. Left-hander has scored only 186 runs in his last 7 matches at an average of 26.57. Bangladesh will be hoping that Tamim can produce a decent score in this game.

Soumya Sarkar was the star performer for Bangladesh in the recently concluded tri-nation series played in Ireland. He has scored 245 runs in 6 matches at an average of 40.83 with three half-centuries. Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah Riyad, and Sabbir Rahman are experienced players in the middle-order for Bangladesh. The batting trio will need to deliver crucial scores for the side in their warm-up game against Pakistan.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin, and Mashrafe Mortaza to deliver breakthroughs with the new-ball. Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraaz are two prominent spin options for Bangladesh for this warm-up game.

Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI:

Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mohammad Mithun, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mustafizur Rahman, Mehidy Hasan Miraaz.

Weather Conditions

The wicket prepared for the game will be excellent for the batting. The quick bowlers will get some assistance off the pitch. The weather forecast for the game to be played on Sunday is going to be cloudy throughout the day.

Venue

Bangladesh will take heart from the fact they have done incredible things at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. In 2005, Bangladesh managed to register a historic win against then world-champions Australia in a one-day game played at Cardiff. 

Also, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah smashed scintillating hundreds to see Bangladesh upstage New Zealand at this venue and qualify for the semifinals of 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.

Toss: To Bat

The side that wins the toss would be looking to bat first and put a mammoth score on the board. The spinners will not get much out of this placid surface.