Pakistan host Bangladesh in intriguing Champions Trophy clash: Match Preview

While there will be no progressing to the semi-finals for either of these sides at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, there is still plenty to play for.

In front of their adoring home fans, Pakistan will pull out all the stops to ensure they don’t finish their tournament campaign winless. While for Bangladesh, they will be out to prove they belong with this calibre of competition.

The pair do battle in Rawalpindi, looking to avoid Group A’s bottom spot.

Here’s how the sides stack up on paper.

Squads:

Pakistan: 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

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

How to watch the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Recent form:

Pakistan: It’s despair for Pakistan, who won’t be defending their Champions Trophy title from 2017, having suffered back-to-back losses. New Zealand beat them by 60 runs in the tournament opener, before India claimed a six-wicket win over their fierce rival in Dubai. Captain Mohammad Rizwan blamed ‘mistakes’ for their losses, which will no doubt be an area of focus against the Tigers.

Bangladesh: The Tigers have been starved of ODI success in recent times, dating as far back as their three-game series with the West Indies where they lost all three. They’ve lost both Champions Trophy matches so far off the back of inconsistent batting, an area they’ll look to try and tidy up against Pakistan.

Players in focus:

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan

As captain of Pakistan’s Champions Trophy side, Rizwan must stand up as a leader, not only with his captaincy, but when he comes out to bat as well. He stuck around for a gritty 46 runs off 77 balls against India, as he and Saud Shakeel did their best to build a defendable total, but the innings went downhill fast once that pair was removed. He’ll know the onus is on him to score some runs if Pakistan are to finish their tournament on a high.

Bangladesh: Mehidy Hasan Miraz

Given his dual bat and ball role, Miraz has the potential to play a starring role for the Tigers. The right arm off-spinner is Bangladesh’s top-ranked ODI bowler (27th) and also bats up the order. But the 27-year-old is yet to fire in either of those disciplines at the Champions Trophy, having scored a total of just 18 runs from two knocks and remaining wicketless from 20 overs. With the ball, Miraz will look to cause Pakistan the same middle over issues that proved fatal against India’s bowling attack.

How to watch:

India: JioStar (Live streaming on Jio Hotstar, Television coverage on Star and Network 18 channels)

Pakistan: PTV and Ten Sports, Streaming options: Myco and Tamasha app

UAE and MENA: CricLife Max and CricLife Max2, Streaming option: STARZPLAY

UK: Live broadcasting on Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action, Digital coverage via SkyGO, NOW and Sky Sports App

USA and Canada: WillowTV, Streaming on Willow by Cricbuzz app (Hindi coverage available)

Caribbean: ESPNCaribbean on TV, Streaming via ESPN Play Caribbean app

Australia: PrimeVideo (coverage available in Hindi too)

New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ, digital coverage via Now and SkyGo app.

South Africa and sub-Saharan territories: SuperSport and SuperSport App

Bangladesh: Nagorik TV and T Sports for linear broadcast, digital via Toffee app

Afghanistan: ATN

Sri Lanka: Maharaja TV (TV1 on Linear), Digital via Sirasa

The games can also be viewed on ICC.tv (In select territories)