A Dead Rubber With Pride at Stake: Pakistan Against Bangladesh in ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has reached its penultimate stage in Group A, but unlike the usual nail-biting scenarios where teams fight tooth and nail for a spot in the semifinals, this match is different. It’s a dead rubber between Pakistan and Bangladesh, who have already been eliminated from the competition.

With no chance of progressing further, the two teams will play for pride rather than qualification. Fans who are looking to stay updated with match results and live scores can check out the bpexch app, offering real-time updates on the game and more.

A Disappointing Campaign for Both Teams

Both Pakistan and Bangladesh have had underwhelming performances in the tournament so far.

They were outclassed by New Zealand and India, leaving them at the bottom of the points table. Their struggles were particularly evident in their batting, which failed to put up competitive totals.

In an era where 350-plus scores are becoming the norm in ODI cricket, both teams have regressed. When setting a target, Pakistan scored 260 after chasing 321 and 241.

While Bangladesh only managed 228 and 240 in their two games. These low totals exposed their batting frailties and left them far behind in the race to the semifinals.

What’s at Stake?

With nothing to lose, this match offers both teams a chance to play freely and give their fans something to cheer about.

For Pakistan, it’s an opportunity to salvage some pride in front of their home audience. It’s an opportunity for Bangladesh to finish their campaign strong and possibly say goodbye to two of their legends, Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim, who are probably participating in their last ICC ODI match.

Match Details

When: Thursday, February 27 at 2:00 PM Local Time

Where: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Weather Forecast: Rain played spoilsport in the Australia vs South Africa match earlier this week, and a similar forecast for Thursday could mean a soggy end to both teams’ campaigns.

Team News Pakistan

Pakistan has yet to give Kamran Ghulam, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Hasnain, and Usman Khan game time in this tournament.

The team management may consider giving these players an opportunity to show off their abilities, as there is nothing at stake in this game.

Salman Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Usman Khan, and Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk) make up the probable XI.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh will remain on the same side it played against New Zealand. However, this match could mark the end of an era for Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah as the team looks to transition to younger players in preparation for future tournaments.

Probable XI: Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman

Important Data & Facts

This will be the first time Pakistan and Bangladesh face each other in a Champions Trophy match.

Bangladesh has the most dot balls in this tournament (181 against New Zealand), followed by Pakistan (162 against New Zealand).

Since January 2013, Pakistan has had the second-lowest first-ten-overs scoring rate among current Champions Trophy teams (4.84), only surpassed by Afghanistan (4.5).

What the Captains Said

Bangladesh’s captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, voiced his dissatisfaction with the team’s batting performance: “I repeatedly stated that we need to get much better as a batting unit, but we kept making the same mistakes.

We must give our batting improvement our whole attention. I hope after this tournament, we will make some changes as a batting unit and think in a different way to improve.”

A Chance to Play with Freedom

With no pressure of qualification, both teams can approach this match with a relaxed mindset. For Pakistan, it’s an opportunity to experiment with their lineup and offer younger players a chance to shine.

For Bangladesh, it’s a chance to end their campaign on a high and give their fans a memorable performance.

While the match may lack the intensity of a do-or-die encounter, it still holds significance for the players and fans. After all, pride is a strong motivator.

Final Thoughts

The Pakistan vs Bangladesh match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 may be a dead rubber, but it offers both teams a chance to end their campaigns on a positive note.

For the spectators, it’s an opportunity to see their favourite athletes perform with freedom and enthusiasm. It is hoped for an entertaining match that offers a fitting conclusion to a disappointing tournament for both teams, even though the weather may play spoiler.