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ICC World Cup 2023: Bangladesh bat first against New Zealand
In their third match of the ICC World Cup 2023, Bangladesh lost the toss to New Zealand and were sent to bat first in Chennai.
New Zealand's captain, Kane Williamson, makes his return to the team after recovering from injuries, taking the place of Will Young.
Also read: ICC World Cup 2023: Tigers ready for high-octane clash against Kiwis
Bangladesh's skipper, Shakib Al Hasan, said he was confused about whether to bat first or not but ultimately welcomed the opportunity.
A change was made in the Bangladesh lineup, with Mahmudullah Riyad returning to the playing XI in place of Mahedi Hasan.
Also read: ICC World Cup 2023: Bangladesh gear up for familiar foe NZ in Friday’s encounter
Bangladesh has previously faced New Zealand in five World Cup matches without a victory. In their recent ODI series, New Zealand emerged victorious against Bangladesh.
Bangladesh XI: Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur Rahim, Towhid Hridoy, Mahmudullah, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Mustafizur Rahman.
Also read: World Cup: Kane Williamson Set for Comeback in Bangladesh Match
New Zealand XI: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, and Trent Boult.
ICC World Cup 2023: Tigers ready for high-octane clash against Kiwis
The Bangladesh cricket team poised to face off against New Zealand in their third encounter of the ICC World Cup at 2:30 pm (Bangladesh time) on Friday.
Anticipation is high for this match, considering the recent history between these two teams.
Also read: ICC World Cup 2023: Bangladesh gear up for familiar foe NZ in Friday’s encounter
In their last ODI series, New Zealand emerged as victors. It marked Bangladesh's first series loss to New Zealand at home in over a decade. Bangladesh will surely come up strong to erase this recent memory to write a new one.
The match in Chennai marks Kane Williamson's return to competitive cricket after a prolonged absence due to injuries.
While the team was hopeful for Tim Southee's inclusion too, the pacer is still recovering.
Also read: World Cup: Kane Williamson Set for Comeback in Bangladesh Match
In contrast, Bangladesh are fielding their best, with the exception of Tamim Iqbal. The opener's injury concern led selectors to omit him from the World Cup squad.
Bangladesh's captain, Shakib Al Hasan, has a history of strong performances against New Zealand. In this crucial World Cup clash, his leadership will be pivotal.
This match holds significant importance for both Bangladesh and New Zealand, as they vie for a favorable position in the World Cup points table.
Also read: ICC World Cup 2023: Preview of BAN vs. NZ ODI
Bangladesh have played two matches in this World Cup so far, securing one win and enduring one defeat. Meanwhile, New Zealand has also played two matches, clinching victories in both, including one against the reigning world champions, England.
Bangladesh squad in the World Cup 2023: Najmul Hossain Shanto, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Towhid Hridoy, Shakib Al Hasan (captain), Mahedi Hasan, Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Hasan Mahmud, Mustafizur Rahman, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed.
New Zealand squad in the World Cup 2023: Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Will Young, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee.
ICC World Cup 2023: Pakistan ODI Squad Analysis
Pakistan has entered the ICC World Cup 2023 as a strong contender. In 1992, they clinched their first World Cup title, and now they aim to secure the title on the home turf of their arch-rivals. Having secured two victories already, Pakistan started the tournament with a strong squad. Let’s analyze Pakistan's Men's ODI squad for the 2023 ICC World Cup and see where they have strength.
Pakistan Squad for ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023
Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-Ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Saul Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Usama Mir, Mohammad Nawaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Haris, Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
Analysis of Pakistan ODI Squad for ICC World Cup 2023
Upon reviewing the squad, it appears to be fairly decent, but not without its weaknesses. A notable concern, aside from Naseem's injury, revolves around the inclusion of Hasan Ali, who has been absent from Pakistan's white-ball setup for a considerable period. This decision, however, might be justified by the desire to incorporate experience into the team.
The injury of Naseem Shah has stirred considerable discussion, given his status as one of the top pacers in world cricket, not just within Pakistan. Despite this setback, Pakistan maintains a promising chance to secure victory in the World Cup. The team consists of a tough top three, and their pace bowling arsenal, featuring talents like Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, remains robust. Additionally, the presence of a skilled spinner, Shadab, who can also be useful with the bat, adds further depth to their lineup.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Preview of PAK vs IND ODI on Oct 14
A crucial aspect to consider is that none of the Pakistani cricketers in the current squad have experienced competitive cricket in India. This poses a significant challenge as the Indian pitch condition is different from Dubai or Sri Lanka.
However, Pakistan’s top order is the biggest strength of the team. The top order comprises three high-caliber ODI players Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Imam ul-Haq. Babar Azam, often greeted as the poster boy of Pakistan, stands out as the fastest to reach 5000 ODI runs and currently holds the prestigious title of the number 1 ranked ODI batter in the world. Renowned for his ability to accumulate runs, Babar Azam is a prolific run-scorer in this format. However, Babar could not help significantly in the first two matches. He has the capability to stand out in crucial matches.
Additionally, Fakhar Zaman, the opener, is a serial match-winner who played a key role in Pakistan's triumph in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 with his memorable century against India. He holds the distinction of being the only Pakistani player to achieve three scores of 180 or more in ODIs. His remarkable innings of 194 in South Africa is regarded as one of the greatest ODI knocks of all time. Joining him as the opening partner is the consistently reliable Imam ul-Haq, who has demonstrated a keen ability to score runs in ODI cricket. With five half-centuries in his last ten innings and an ODI batting average around 50, Imam ul-Haq also secured a position in the top 10 ODI batting rankings.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: India ODI Squad Analysis
While Fakhar Zaman is Pakistan’s one of the top strengths, his form before the World Cup poses a significant concern for Pakistan, as the left-handed batsman has struggled to make an impact in the last 7-8 games before the tournament. His performance will be crucial for Pakistan's campaign in the upcoming matches.
Moving to the middle order, it features Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Shadab Khan as the all-rounder. While Mohammad Rizwan's overall ODI record may not be stellar, he has demonstrated good form this year and aims to sustain this momentum. Agha Salman, however, faced a downturn in the Asia Cup, placing added pressure on him to deliver. Iftikhar Ahmed, possessing ample experience, is expected to play at no. 6 and 7 positions for Pakistan, but consistency will be key. Shadab Khan, the all-rounder, adds depth to the lineup and is set to play a crucial role in both batting and bowling capacities.
Further, fielding remains a significant concern for Pakistan, and their poor fielding has been a contributing factor to several defeats in the past. It is imperative for them to identify their second or third-best fielder after Shadab Khan and address this aspect to enhance their overall performance.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Tickets: How to Buy Online, Booking, Prices, Starting Dates and Timings
Key Players to Watch in the Pakistan Men’s ODI Squad for ICC World Cup 2023
Babar Azam
The captain of Pakistan, who also stands out as their most prolific run-scorer in recent years, is a key player. Current number 1 player in ICC Men's ODI rankings. Babar has consistently secured a position among the top five batters in the format for the past six years. Despite a relatively modest performance in the recently-concluded Asia Cup by his own high standards, scoring 207 runs in four innings and falling short of leading his team into the final, Pakistan's prospects of qualifying for the World Cup semifinals will be tied to Babar's batting form and on-field decision-making.
Shaheen Afridi
Similar to Babar Azam’s performance in batting, Shaheen Afridi's spells with the ball will play a pivotal role in their ability to dismiss batters on the high-scoring pitches in India. Having debuted internationally at the age of 18 in 2018, Afridi has quickly emerged as Pakistan's main bowling spearhead, frequently securing a position in the top 10 ICC bowlers' rankings.
Mohammad Rizwan
A true fighter in every sense, Mohammad Rizwan has seized every opportunity that has crossed his path as a batter and wicketkeeper. Starting as an opener in T20Is, he has transitioned seamlessly into the number four position in ODIs. With fifty and a hundred in the two recent matches in World Cup 2023, he stands as the most in-form batter for Pakistan at the moment. His brilliance was evident in the 131 runs against Sri Lanka, where he not only reached the milestone but also stayed through to the end of the game.
Read more: Analysis of Bangladesh Squad for ICC World Cup 2023
Haris Rauf
In the absence of Naseem, he will need to pose an even more significant role than he already does for Pakistan, particularly in the middle and death overs. And he has been doing his role well, as he grabbed 5 wickets in the first two matches of the World Cup 2023.
Final Words
Pakistan aims to grab the 2023 ICC Men's ODI World Cup. Despite recent challenges, including Naseem Shah's injury and potential hindrance of inconsistency, the team remains steadfast with a stable and experienced lineup. The bowling attack demonstrates competitiveness, and the batting lineup possesses depth in spin. Identifying the right formula for success becomes crucial at this stage. If they can effectively implement a strategic game plan, Pakistan men's ODI squad has the potential to clinch the trophy, marking their victory after 31 years since their last victory in 1992.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Live Streaming: How and Where to Watch all matches Online
World Cup Qualifiers: Argentina maintain winning start, Brazil stumble against Venezuela
Lionel Messi hit a post twice after he came off the bench but struggled to deliver a strong performance following his return from injury. Still, Argentina beat Paraguay 1-0 on Thursday in a South American World Cup qualifying match.
But Argentina's biggest South American rival left the pitch to some jeers at Cuiabá, Brazil after the home side and Venezuela drew 1-1. The result put pressure on new Brazil coach Fernando Diniz and kept Argentina as the sole leaders of the round-robin competition with their third victory in three matches.
The next World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada is expanding to a 48-team format, meaning direct entry to the top six teams in South America. The seventh-place team will contest an intercontinental playoff for a berth.
Also read: FIFA World Cup: Saad Uddin guides Bangladesh to stay in race playing 1-1 draw with Maldives
Argentina leads South American World Cup qualifying with 9 points, followed by Brazil (7), Colombia (5), Uruguay (4), Chile (4), Venezuela (4), Ecuador (3), Paraguay (1), Peru (1), and Bolivia (0). All 10 teams will play the fourth round on Tuesday.
The next round will offer the following matchups: Peru vs. Argentina, Uruguay vs. Brazil, Ecuador vs. Colombia, Paraguay vs. Bolivia and Venezuela vs. Chile.
ARGENTINA 1, PARAGUAY 0
The only goal of the match at the Monumental de Nunez Stadium came in the third minute after a corner kick that found Nicolás Otamendi free from marking in the penalty box. The defender smashed the ball into the net with a left-foot volley.
The 36-year-old Messi has felt muscular pains in his right leg that have sidelined him for several matches at his club Inter Miami. Coach Lionel Scaloni picked Nico Gonzalez as his replacement. The star substituted Julián Álvarez in the 52nd minute, when Argentina was already in the lead.
Messi hit the post in a corner kick he took 10 minutes after stepping on the pitch of the Monumental de Nuñez Stadium in Buenos Aires, but his other efforts to dribble and give deep passes fell flat.
Also read: Walton-DRU Media Football Tournament: UNB to face Dhaka Post on saturday
A free kick from the same spot where he scored the winner against Ecuador in September raised hopes for Argentina fans shortly before the final whistle, but Messi's shot hit the right post.
“I get very calm when we have Leo on the pitch,” midfielder Rodrigo De Paul said after the match. “We are at a very good level. We feel comfortable with the way we are playing.”
Paraguay’s new coach Daniel Garnero had his debut against Argentina, and his team gave little evidence of attacking power. The 54-year-old coach took over from Guillermo Barros Schelotto last month after the first two qualifiers.
Messi missed four MLS matches for his club plus the U.S. Open Cup final. He played 10 minutes on Saturday in Inter Miami’s 1-0 loss to Cincinnati. He also skipped Argentina's 3-0 win at Bolivia in another World Cup qualifying match in September.
BRAZIL 1, VENEZUELA 1
For the first time, Brazil failed to beat Venezuela at home. Neymar, Vinicius Júnior and Richarlison struggled the entire first half to get a clear shot on goal.
Seconds after Neymar got his first big opportunity after the break, with a shot from the edge of the box, Brazil scored its goal with an assist from the Al-Hilal player.
Neymar took a corner kick that ended in a close range header by Gabriel Magalhães in the 52nd minute at the Arena Pantanal in the city of Cuiabá, one of Brazil's warmest at this time of the year.
The hosts squandered several opportunities from close range. Venezuela kept some pressure and scored in the 85th minute with a half-bicycle by Eduardo Bello, in one of the most impressive goals of South American World Cup qualifying so far.
Also read: 2030 World Cup set to be hosted by Spain-Portugal-Morocco with 3 South American countries added
Venezuela's defense managed to keep Brazil at bay until the final whistle.
“Now we have to hold our heads up high and think about Uruguay. We wanted to go at them, they wanted to defend and we couldn't break them like we wanted,” Brazil captain Casemiro said after the match.
Earlier on Thursday, Colombia and Uruguay drew 2-2. Veteran James Rodríguez opened the scoring for the hosts in the 37th minute, and Matias Oliveira levelled shortly before the break.
Mateus Uribe put the Colombians back in front in the 52nd minute. Uruguay equalized from the spot with Darwin Núñez moments before the final whistle after being fouled by goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, who was sent off.
Ecuador beat Bolivia in La Paz 2-1 with a goal in the final moments of the match.
Also read: AFC Women's Asian Cup: Bangladesh suffer 0-4 goal defeat against Australia
Kendry Paéz scored for the visitors shortly before the break, and Rodrigo Ramallo equalized in the 83rd minute. Kevin Rodriguez gave Ecuador its first three points in qualifying.
Chile beat Peru 2-0. Diego Valdéz scored the first in the 74th minute and an own goal by Marcos López finished the scoring in injury time.
ICC World Cup 2023: Preview of PAK vs IND ODI on Oct 14
India is set to host Pakistan in a much-anticipated group-stage match of the 2023 Men's Cricket World Cup on Saturday, October 14. The game kicks off at 3 pm Bangladesh time and will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, a massive venue with a seating capacity of 132,000.
Pakistan recently made headlines by achieving the highest run-chase in World Cup history in their victory over Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Meanwhile, India got a smooth win in their first two matches.
Preview of PAK vs IND ODI On Oct 14 in ICC World Cup 2023
This intense World Cup showdown follows Pakistan's loss against India in the Asia Cup 2023, and India pushed them down from the top spot in the world's ODI rankings. In the World Cup warm up matches, the Pakistan team didn't perform very well. However, on October 10, Pakistan achieved the highest run-chase in World Cup history by defeating Sri Lanka by 6 wickets.
Meanwhile, India played Afghanistan in the second match on October 11. India dominated Afghanistan, securing their second consecutive victory in the World Cup. Rohit Sharma played an outstanding innings, scoring 131 runs off 84 balls setting new records along the way. With this win, the hosts climbed to the second position in the points table, comfortably reaching the target of 273 with 15 overs to spare. Previously, on October 9, India triumphed over Australia by six wickets with 52 balls remaining.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Venues: Cities and Stadiums in India
There is no injury report so far. So, both teams will start the match with full force. It is time to see if Pakistan can get their desired victory against India in the World Cup event. India and Pakistan have competed in seven matches in ICC ODI World Cup tournaments. In these encounters, India emerged victorious in all seven instances, while Pakistan did not secure a win. The highest run total achieved by India in these clashes is 336 runs, whereas Pakistan's highest score is 273. The lowest total posted by Pakistan is 173, and India's lowest total is 216.
In recent clashes, the two teams faced each other twice in the recently concluded Asia Cup. During the Group A fixture in Pallekele, the Pakistani bowlers exerted control, limiting India to a score of 266 before rain intervened, preventing any additional play. However, India won the Super Four match in the Asia Cup 2023 against Pakistan.
With both teams having good form, the rivalry clash will surely be entertaining.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Tickets: How to Buy Online, Booking, Prices, Starting Dates and Timings
PAK vs IND Head to Head in ODI
India and Pakistan have competed in 134 ODIs. In these encounters, India won in 56 matches, while Pakistan secured victory in 73 instances. Additionally, five matches concluded without a result.
Table: Pakistan vs India Head-to-Head ODI Matches So Far
Matches
Pakistan Won
India Won
No Result
134
73
56
5
Predicted Playing XI for Pakistan
Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf.
Predicted Playing XI for India
Rohit Sharma (C), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
Key Pakistani Players to Watch
Mohammad Rizwan
Pakistan achieved a successful run chase, reaching a target of 345 runs against Sri Lanka in their second match in World Cup 2023. Mohammad Rizwan is one of the key contributors to this victory. Rizwan played a stellar innings, scoring 131 runs off 121 deliveries. Previously, he also scored 68 runs from 75 balls. And he will play a key role against the rivals in the next match.
Haris Rauf
Haris has taken 5 wickets so far in this World Cup. In the absence of Naseem Shah, he has been playing an even more crucial role for Pakistan, particularly in the middle and death overs. In the first match, he showcased his form by taking 3 wickets for 43 runs against the Netherlands. He also grabbed two wickets against Sri Lanka.
Babar Azam
Babar is yet to play his regular game and give his best. In the last two matches, he scored only 15 runs. It seems he is not in good form, but he can spark at any time. So, we can assume that he will try his best against arch-rival India. However, he has been doing well in his captaincy role.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Pakistan ODI Squad Analysis
Key Indian Players to Watch
Rohit Sharma
While Rohit may not be an unstoppable force as he was four years ago, when he recorded a record-breaking five centuries at the 2019 World Cup, he continues to display mastery in the 2023 World Cup. Sharma achieved a historic seventh World Cup century in India's victory over Afghanistan. Rohit Sharma's outstanding performance led India to a commanding eight-wicket win in Wednesday's group match in Delhi.
Virat Kohli
After scoring 85 runs in the first match and 55 in the second match, we must say Kohli is in consistent form. Also, his 122 runs against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023 surely make Pakistan conscious for the next match. Further, Kohli boasts an impressive record against Pakistan, accumulating a total of 626 runs in 15 innings, including 3 centuries and 2 half-centuries.
Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah delivered his best bowling spell (4/39) in a 50-over World Cup during India's clash with Afghanistan in Match 9 of the ICC World Cup 2023 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday. With that, he grabbed a total of 6 wickets, making him the second-highest wicket-taker so far in World Cup 2023.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: India ODI Squad Analysis
Surprise Ahead of the PAK vs. IND Clash
With only two days remaining for the highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, reports indicate that Indian cinema superstars Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth, along with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, are all set to attend and witness the match. Additionally, there are rumors that Arijit Singh may perform live during the event. Some media reports suggest there will be a light show and dance performances as well. The Bollywood stars' event is scheduled to commence at 12:40 pm on the day and conclude by 1:10 pm.
In addition to that, the BCCI will release 14,000 tickets for the India vs. Pakistan match on October 14, 2023. The Indian Cricket Board conveyed this information to fans via the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).
Final Words
The highly anticipated PAK vs. IND clash in the 2023 Men's Cricket World Cup promises an intense battle. With India having a strong start and Pakistan achieving a historic run-chase, both teams are in good form. Players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Mohammad Rizwan, and Jasprit Bumrah are key to watch. With more tickets released in phases and both teams at full strength, the rivalry will undoubtedly be entertaining.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Live Streaming: How and Where to Watch all matches Online
Walton-DRU Media Football Tournament: UNB to face Dhaka Post on Saturday
United News of Bangladesh (UNB) will play against the Dhaka Post in the second round of Walton-DRU Media Football Tournament, 2023 on Saturday.
The match will be held at 2pm at the Shaheed (Capt) M Monsur Ali National Handball Stadium in the capital.
Twelve matches will be held on the day, from 8:30 am to 2 pm.
Read: FIFA World Cup: Saad Uddin guides Bangladesh to stay in race playing 1-1 draw with Maldives
Fifty teams, including defending champions Channel i and runners-up Jagonews 24. com, from different newspapers, news agencies, and electronic media, split into eight groups, will compete on a knockout basis, exclusive to the journalists.
All the matches will be 20-minute affairs, 10 minutes in each half, with a five-minute break in the middle.
Read: FIFA World Cup: Bangladesh to play Maldives in qualification match on Thursday
Later, eight group-champion teams will play in the quarterfinals.
Earlier on Wednesday, the tournament began with the opening match between Ajkaler Khobor vs Kalbela.
ICC World Cup 2023: De Kock's dominance leads South Africa to resounding win over Australia
In a remarkable display of batting, Quinton de Kock notched a second consecutive century, steering South Africa to a commanding victory over Australia by 134 runs at the ICC World Cup on Thursday.
The 30-year-old's stellar innings of 109 off 106 balls propelled South Africa to a formidable total of 311-7.
Read: World Cup 2023: de Kock's Century Boosts South Africa to 311 against Australia
Australia's fielding, undermined by five dropped catches, proved costly as they were subsequently bowled out for a mere 177.
Kagiso Rabada's impressive 3-33, supported by Keshav Maharaj's valuable 2-30, restricted the Australian batters during a tenacious 10-over spell.
While South Africa celebrate two wins in as many games, Australia, yet to secure a point, faces an uphill battle with a net run-rate plummeting to -1.84.
Read: World Cup 2023: Bangladesh gear up for familiar foe NZ in Friday’s encounter
The left-handed de Kock, in his final major international tournament, formed a formidable opening partnership with captain Temba Bavuma, ultimately setting the stage for South Africa's triumph. De Kock's impeccable form, marked by eight fours and five sixes, earned him his 19th ODI century.
However, the Australian side, once considered a strong contender for the semifinals, faces a steep challenge in reviving their ODI form, having suffered seven losses in their last eight matches, including four against South Africa.
ICC World Cup 2023: Bangladesh gear up for familiar foe NZ in Friday’s encounter
Bangladesh find itself in a decent position in the ICC World Cup with one win and one loss in the first two matches. Another victory in their face-off against New Zealand on Friday would undoubtedly give them a significant boost ahead of their next clash against India on October 19. Before that crucial encounter, Bangladesh is preparing to face New Zealand, a familiar opponent. However, memories of their recent series against New Zealand, just before the World Cup, are ones the team would prefer to put behind them.In the second match in the World Cup against England, Bangladesh made a notable change, substituting Mahmudullah Riyad with Mahedi Hasan. The decision was influenced by various factors, including the playing conditions and the opponent. This shift also led to alterations in the batting order.
Read: World Cup 2023: de Kock's Century Boosts South Africa to 311 against AustraliaFor instance, Mehidy Hasan Miraz batted at number three in the first match but was assigned a different position in the second. These frequent changes appear to have affected the team's batting performance.Najmul Hossain Shanto has been solid at number three, but he didn't find the same place in the lineup against Afghanistan. Mehidy, filling in for him, notched a fifty. In the subsequent match against England, Shanto returned to his original position but faced a disappointing first-ball dismissal, and Mehidy also failed to deliver what was expected of him. With these alterations in mind, all eyes will be on Bangladesh's batting performance in the upcoming match. The team management's handling of these changes could be pivotal to their success.The Bangladesh team appears unfazed by the discussions surrounding them. Najmul Hossain Shanto, the vice-captain of the Tigers, expressed that they are focused on delivering a strong performance against New Zealand.
Read: World Cup: Kane Williamson Set for Comeback in Bangladesh Match"I believe we made a good start to the World Cup," he stated on Thursday. "It’s true that we couldn't play well against England. For now, we are looking to excel in the upcoming match."Shanto said they have no worries about frequent changes in the batting order; they are rather looking to bat with freedom in mind. While Bangladesh grapples with the challenge of determining their optimal batting order, New Zealand is buoyed by the return of their captain, Kane Williamson. The right-handed batsman last took the field in January, contending with a series of injuries since.Now deemed fit to play against Bangladesh, his presence is eagerly anticipated. Unfortunately, Tim Southee, the eminent pacer of the Blackcaps, who has historically excelled against Bangladesh, will not be partaking in this match due to an ongoing injury."Tim's progressing well, but won't be playing tomorrow's game," Williamson conveyed in the pre-match press conference.While Williamson is set to make a comeback, New Zealand are bound to change their playing XI. Bangladesh may also give it a thought to bring in the genuine spinner Nasum Ahmed, considering the spin-friendly nature of Chennai’s surface. The match will begin at 2:30 pm (Bangladesh time) and will be telecast live by T Sports, Gazi TV, and other online streaming platforms.
Qatar Master Chess: Bangladeshi IM Fahad Rahman loses to Uzbek GM Vakhidov Jokhongir
Bangladeshi IM Mohammad Fahad Rahman lost his first round match to GM Vakhidov Jokhongir of Uzbekistan in the Qatar Masters Open Chess 2023 that began on Wednesday (October 11) in the Qatar capital Doha.
The 2nd round matches started at 6 pm (BST) on Thursday where Fahad Rahman playing against Karamsetty Jeevan of USA.
A total of 158 players from 31 countries including 58 Grandmasters, 6 Women’s grandmasters and 56 International Masters are participating in the event.
FIFA World Cup: Saad Uddin guides Bangladesh to stay in race playing 1-1 draw with Maldives
A dramatic goal by M Saad Uddin in the dying moment guided Bangladesh to stay in the race playing 1- 1 draw with hosts Maldives in the Asian Qualification Round -1 match of the FIFA World Cup' 2026 at the National Stadium in Male on Thursday.
With the day's precious draw with an away goal, Bangladesh have a fair chance to qualify for the group stage of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers beating the Maldives in the home match on October 17 at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka.
The day's match was locked in a goalless position in the first half.
Forward Hassan Nazeem put the host Maldives ahead in the 87th minute by a placing shot, utilizing a lapse of Bangladesh defender Tariq Kazi, brightening their chance to qualify for the next round of the World Cup.
But, Bangladesh's substitute player Mohammad Saad Uddin destroyed the home team party scoring the match equaliser in the very 2nd minute of the added time (90+2 minute) by a placing shot, off a Rakib Hossain pass amid huge frustration of local fans (1-1).
After the goal, Saad Uddin was cautioned with yellow card for removing his Jersey.
Earlier, Foysal Ahmed Fahim of Bangladesh spoiled the golden opportunity to score in the 40th minute of the match as he failed to score with nice gap from the danger zone.
Later, Rakib Hossain also missed a good chance.
Earlier, Bangladesh and Maldives faced each other on 16 times since 1984 where Bangladesh won seven matches against the Maldives six win. The rest three matches ended in draw
In the last meeting, Bangladesh beat the Maldives by 3-1 goals in the last SAFF Championship held in the Indian city of Bengaluru in June this year.
Bangladesh never beat their upper ranked Maldives on their home soil in the last 23 years since 2000 when they played 1-1 draw with the Maldives in the Golden Jubilee Tournament in Male.
Bangladesh suffered four consecutive defeats against the Maldives from December 2011 to October 2021, before beating the Maldives by 2-1 goals in the Mahinda Rajapaksa Cup Football in Colombo in November 2021.
Bangladesh suffered their biggest 0-5 goals defeat against the Maldives in the FIFA International Friendly Football in 2016 and conceded 0-2 goals defeat each in the SAFF Championship in 2021 and in an friendly match in 2022, all in Male
However, the recent performance of Bangladesh is encouraging as they won two matches in last four meetings against the Maldives since 2021, featuring a 3-1 victory in the SAFF Championship in Bengaluru last June.
Bangladesh team is badly needed win in the two-match home and away series against the Maldives, not only to reach the group stage of the FIFA World Cup'2026, but also to avoid possible ban that deprived Bangladesh to play any FIFA/AFC international matches for about one year.
Earlier, Bangladesh were also deprived of playing international football matches for one and half year after losing to Bhutan by 1-3 goals in their return-leg play-off match of the AFC Asian Cup in Thimphu in 2016.
Despite the absence of three vital players -- number one goal keeper Anisur Rahman Zico, reliable defender Topu Barman and promising striker Shekh Morsalin for club suspension, Bangladesh team fought hard with the hosts and settled for 1-1 draw..
Earlier, Bangladesh played a two-match FIFA Tier-1 International Friendly Football series against their 32 ranked upper Afghanistan as as part of their preparation for the FIFA World Cup preliminary against the Maldives and settled for draw in the series with goalless affairs in the first match and 1-1 draw in the tense-packed 2nd match, both at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka last month.