Bangladesh will be without their skipper Litton Das for their crucial Super 4 clash against Pakistan, as he has failed to recover from a rib injury sustained during a training session ahead of their match against India. Jaker Ali will continue to stand in for Litton.
The Tigers have made three changes to their playing XI following their 41-run defeat to India. Nurul Hasan Sohan, Taskin Ahmed, and Mahedi Hasan have been brought back, replacing Nasum Ahmed, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, and Mohammad Saifuddin.
PAK vs BAN live score, Super 4 Updates
After winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to bowl first. Jaker Ali explained that the decision was made considering the team’s past performances in the tournament.
“We have been doing well while bowling first, so we are going with that strategy. As a bowling unit we have been doing well. We have to bat really well in this match. We just want to play for the championship, that’s the mindset,” Jaker said at the toss.
Pakistan, meanwhile, went into the game unchanged, retaining the winning combination that secured a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The clash between Pakistan and Bangladesh is being billed as a virtual semi-final, with the winner set to face Suryakumar Yadav’s India on September 28 in Dubai.
While Bangladesh will be eager to bounce back from their defeat to India, Pakistan will look to maintain their winning momentum and keep their hopes alive for a third Asia Cup title, and their first since 2012.
Playing XI for PAK vs BAN Asia Cup clash
Pakistan
Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (capt), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
Bangladesh
Saif Hassan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali (capt & wk), Nurul Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman
– Ends
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