Pakistan
Preview of BAN vs. PAK ODI in ICC World Cup 2023
Pakistan and Bangladesh will face each other in the 31st match of the ODI World Cup 2023 on October 31. The BAN vs. Pakistan match will start at 2:30 pm Bangladesh time, and it will be played at Eden Gardens. While both teams are struggling in this tournament, let's see which team has a great chance to win this clash.
Bangladesh vs. Pakistan ODI in the 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup: Match Preview
So far, Bangladesh and Pakistan have had a similar journey in the World Cup. Bangladesh won their first match but then lost the next five in a row. Pakistan had a bit of a better start, winning their first two matches, but then they also lost four games in a row.
To make it to the semi-finals, Pakistan needed to win the last match against South Africa. So, team Pakistan gave it their all in their last game, but they left the field with a 1-wicket defeat at the end of the highly exciting match. This made it more difficult for Pakistan to play in the semi-finals.
Batting first in the match in Chennai on Friday, Pakistan collected 270 runs with half-centuries by captain Babar Azam and Shadab Khan. In response, South Africa managed to win with only 16 balls and one wicket left. Aiden Markram played a significant role by scoring 91 runs from 93 balls. After such a sad loss, Pakistan had to hear bad news from the ICC again at the end of the match. The entire Pakistan team got fined because they were too slow in completing their overs during the match against South Africa. As a result, each player has to pay a penalty, which is 20 percent of their match fee.
Read more: Bangladesh's Fixtures for ICC World Cup 2023
This loss to South Africa marks Pakistan's fourth consecutive defeat, following their initial two wins at the start of the World Cup. Currently, they're in the sixth position on the points table with 4 points from 6 matches. Now, Pakistan is on the verge of getting out of the World Cup.
On the other hand, Bangladesh, who came to the World Cup with the dream of playing in the semi-finals, has won one of the six matches so far. They also lost against the Netherlands in the last match. With this loss, Bangladesh's elimination from the World Cup has been confirmed. Still, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan is thinking of doing something for the people of the country by doing well in the remaining three matches.
On October 28, at the Eden Gardens, the Netherlands beat Bangladesh by a big margin of 87 runs. They managed to get all the Bangladeshi players out for just 142 runs with 7.3 balls still to spare in the game.
With the exception of Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who scored 35 runs, and Mahmudullah and Mustafizur Rahman, who both scored 20 runs each, no other Bangladeshi batter could stay on the pitch for a long time against the Dutch bowlers. On the other side, for the Netherlands, Paul van Meekeren took 4 wickets, Bas de Leede got two wickets, and Colin Ackermann, Logan van Beek, and Aryan Dutt each took one wicket.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Live Streaming: How and Where to Watch all matches Online
Can Pakistan or Bangladesh go to the Semi-Finals?
South Africa and India have already reached 10 points. And anyway, it is almost impossible for Pakistan to beat these two teams. Because Pakistan collected 4 points in 6 matches, even if they win 3 matches at their end, the team will not be able to collect more than 10 points. Pakistan's opponents in their last three matches are Bangladesh, New Zealand and England respectively. If they can beat all three teams, there is a possibility for Pakistan to go to the semi-finals. But for that, Pakistan has to depend on other team's wins and losses. So, the match against Bangladesh is very crucial for them, and they must aim for a big win.
On the other hand, Bangladesh has 2 points in 6 matches. Their net run rate is -1.338. They are ninth in the points table. Despite being almost eliminated from the World Cup, the Tigers are still in the World Cup on book. But they have tough calculations ahead of them.
At the current position, Bangladesh can get a maximum of 8 points if they win the remaining three matches. New Zealand, at number three, and Australia, at number four, also have 8 points in the overall points list. Based on the statistics, it's not possible to conclude that Bangladesh is out of the tournament at this point.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh's next three matches are against Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia. First, they have to defeat these three teams. Still, they have to look at the results of the rest of the teams, especially towards New Zealand and Australia. If these two teams win even one of their next three matches, they will get 10 points. In that case, even if Bangladesh wins the next three matches, there will be no chance for the semi-finals.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Tickets: How to Buy Online, Booking, Prices, Starting Dates and Timings
Bangladesh vs Pakistan Head-to-Head ODI
In the 38 One-Day International (ODI) matches played between Pakistan and Bangladesh, Pakistan has won 33 times, while Bangladesh has managed to win 5 times.
Probable XI for Bangladesh
Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam.
Probable XI for Pakistan
Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Venues: Cities and Stadiums in India
Bangladeshi Players to Watch
Mahmudullah
In the four matches during the 2023 World Cup, Mahmudullah scored a total of 198 runs with an impressive average of 99. He also had a strike rate of 101.02. Additionally, he bowled for five overs and gave away 33 runs at an economy rate of 6.60.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz
So far in this World Cup, Miraz has scored 144 runs in six matches. With balls, he grabbed six wickets in six matches. So, he might have a significant impact either with the ball or bat.
Read more: Analysis of Bangladesh Squad for ICC World Cup 2023
Pakistani Players to Watch
Mohammad Rizwan
Rizwan is currently the top scorer for Pakistan in World Cup 2023. He scored 333 runs with 97.36 strike rates from 6 matches. So, Bangladesh will have to keep Rizwan's aggressive batting style before bowling him.
Shaheen Afridi
Ranked 5 in the most wicket grabber list in World Cup 2023, Shaheen Afridi also holds the record for the second player to take a 5-wicket haul in the World Cup. And he did it against Australia in this tournament. On top of that, in the ODI, he has the best bowling record of 6/35, and it is against Bangladesh. So, the Tigers' batters should think twice before taking a move in Shaheen's bowl.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Pakistan ODI Squad Analysis
Final Words
Bangladesh’s performance in the 2023 ICC World Cup tournament is so far quite disappointing. However, Bangladesh has a record of sparking after a few consecutive losses. Considering the performance and previous records, Pakistan clearly has a competitive edge in this match. So, it can be predicted that Pakistan will win the BAN vs. PAK ODI match in Eden Gardens.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
Women's T20 Series: Pakistan avoid Banglawash beating hosts by 31 runs in 3rd match
Touring Pakistan Women's Cricket team escaped washed out in the three-match Women's T20 Series beating Bangladesh Women's team by 31 runs in the 3rd and last match at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Sunday.
Earlier, Bangladesh team won their historic and first-ever Women's T20 Series against Pakistan with one match to spare beating the tourists by 20 runs in the 2nd of the three-match T20 series at the same venue last Friday.
ICC World Cup 2023: England wins toss and will field in Cricket World Cup match against India
However, hosts Bangladesh clinched the three-match series 2-1 beating Pakistan.
Bangladesh women took 1-0 lead in the series beating Pakistan by five wickets in the first match last on Wednesday at the same venue.
Hosts Bangladesh women's team will also play a three- match ODI Series against touring Pakistani women on November 4, 7 and 10, all at the Sher-e- Bangla National Stadium in Mipur, Dhaka
Sent into bat first in the day's 3rd T20 match,
Pakistan women scored 132 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in quota 20 overs.
Afghanistan on a high after upsetting England and Pakistan at Cricket World Cup
After the departure of opener Sidra Ameen (2) for just three runs in 1.3 overs, another opener Muneeba Ali pairing with one down Bismah Maroof contributed a record 106 runs in the 2nd wicket partnership to make a good foundation of Pakistan innings.
Wicket keeper Muneeba Ali hammered the match highest 49-ball 61 runs hitting eight boundaries and was adjudged the player of the match while Bismah Maroof made 49-ball 48 runs with two fours.
No other Pakistani batters reached double figures.
Fariha Trisna grabbed two Pakistani wickets including the wicket of Bismah Maroof conceding 21 runs in her four over bowling while Nahida Akter and Sanjida Akter Meghla took one wicket each conceding 21 and 34 runs respectively.
Batting woes continue, Bangladesh capitulate to the Netherlands
Later, Nahida Akter was adjudged the player of the series grabbing a total eight wickets.
Chasing a target of 133 runs, Bangladesh women team scored 101 runs for the loss of nine wickets in stipulated 20 overs.
Opener Shamima Sultana with 38-ball 26 runs featuring two fours, lower order Shorifa Khatun with 11-ball 18 runs featuring three fours, one down Sobhana Mostary with 19-ball 17 runs with three fours and Rabeya Khan with 12 balls 11 runs with one four, were the main Bangladeshi batters scoring the double digit runs..
Sadia Iqbal and Aliya Riaz claimed two Bangladesh wickets each conceding 19 and 24 runs respectively
Captain Nida Dar, Nashra Sandhu, Waheeda Akter and Umm-e Hani took one wicket each.
Preview of AUS vs. PAK ODI in ICC World Cup 2023
Australia and Pakistan are set to battle in the 18th Match of the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023. The match will take place at the iconic M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 20 at 2:30 pm Bangladesh time. While Pakistan has won two matches in this World Cup so far, Australia just won one. Let’s see what we may expect from the AUS vs. PAK match.
Preview of Australia vs. Pakistan ODI in ICC Men’s World Cup 2023
Australia is keeping their chances in the tournament alive with a vital victory over Sri Lanka. This victory has lifted Pat Cummins' team from the lowest position in the standings, bringing them back into the competition. With 2 points and a -0.734 net run rate, Australia is in the 8th place of the ICC World Cup 2023 point table. They still have a chance to survive if they get big wins in the next matches.
They will face Pakistan next. But their win against Sri Lanka will surely boost their confidence. Australia faced defeats against India and South Africa before finally registering a win against Sri Lanka in this tournament. Their quest for a record sixth Cricket World Cup title hasn't had the most promising beginning. However, a second consecutive victory, this time against Pakistan, could potentially turn things around for them.
Australia had scored two totals below 200 before facing Sri Lanka. Even in that match, they needed only 210 to secure a win. Among their batsmen, only Marnus Labuschagne has managed to score 100 runs or more in three innings in this tournament. David Warner has an average of 21.66, and in the previous match, Steven Smith was dismissed without scoring any runs.
While there are significant concerns about Australia's batting resources, their bowling department has shown considerable strength this tournament. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa delivered a standout performance, taking four wickets and earning the Player of the Match title against Sri Lanka. In the upcoming match, he is expected to be a key player along with Glenn Maxwell, as they are likely to be the only slow bowlers for the Australian team.
On the other hand, Pakistan had a strong start in this World Cup, securing wins against Sri Lanka and the Netherlands. However, their momentum took a hit with a defeat to India. The team carries a significant weight of expectation but has shown a tendency to disappoint, especially in crucial matches against traditional rivals when the stakes are high.
Pakistan currently holds the 4th position in the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023 points table. They have secured 2 wins and suffered one loss in the three matches played during the round-robin stage. As a result, the team has accumulated a total of 4 points.
So, their next match is crucial to advance in the point table. But their loss against India might reduce their confidence a bit. They will need to rely on their bowlers as well as top orders. Hasan Ali has proven to be the primary wicket-taker for Pakistan in India during the ongoing tournament. Initially included as a late replacement for the injured Naseem Shah, Ali has evolved into a crucial member of the first-choice playing XI. He has impressively taken seven wickets in three matches, showcasing a prolific performance in ODI cricket. In terms of batting, the team looks to wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan to lead their ambitions once again.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Live Streaming: How and Where to Watch all matches Online
Australia vs Pakistan Head to Head in ODI Records So Far
Australia and Pakistan have competed in a total of 107 ODI matches. In these encounters, Australia emerged victorious in 69 games, while Pakistan claimed success in 34 matches. Additionally, 3 matches concluded without a result, and 1 match ended in a tie.
Table: Australia vs Pakistan Head-to-Head ODI Matches So Far
Matches
Australia Won
Pakistan Won
No Result
Tie
107
69
34
3
1
Predicted Playing XI for Australia
David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (capt), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Predicted Playing XI for Pakistan
Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
Key Australian Players to Watch
Marnus Labuschagne
Marnus Labuschagne stands as the leading run-scorer for Australia in the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023, amassing a total of 113 runs at an impressive strike rate of 64. Labuschagne's performances highlight his crucial role as a dependable batsman for the team, and his ability to maintain a solid strike rate adds an extra dimension to Australia's batting ability in the tournament.
Adam Zampa
Zampa’s four-wicket against Sri Lanka helped Australia to win the game. So, hopefully, he will play a significant role one more time against Pakistan. In Australia's World Cup team, Adam Zampa is one of the two Australian spinners chosen for the job. Because the matches are happening on spin pitches, how well Australia does in the games will largely rely on how Zampa bowls.
Mitchell Starc
Starc took five wickets in this World Cup so far with 2/43 best bowling inning. Although Mitchell Starc continues to be recognized as one of the top ODI bowlers worldwide, he has yet to give his best in this World Cup.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Tickets: How to Buy Online, Booking, Prices, Starting Dates and Timings
Key Pakistani Players to Watch
Mohammad Rizwan
Leading the charge for Pakistan, Mohammad Rizwan has emerged as the top run-scorer in the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023, collecting an impressive total of 248 runs at a striking rate of 93. His innings have been characterized by a balanced blend of precision and power, evident in the 23 boundaries and three sixes he has struck.
Hasan Ali
Hasan Ali has proven to be the standout bowler for Pakistan in the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023, taking 7 wickets. His bowling performance is marked by an average of 19.71, reflecting his effectiveness in dismissing batsmen, and he has maintained an economy rate of 6.00.
Final Words
Australia seems to be carrying more momentum into this match, especially after their recent victory against Sri Lanka, while Pakistan faced a setback with a recent loss to India. The upcoming clash is anticipated to be a fierce battle, particularly between Australia's tough batting lineup and Pakistan's skilled bowling attack. The toss decision and prevailing playing conditions are likely to play a significant role in determining the outcome. With Australia being considered as favourites in the AUS vs. PAK match on October 20 in the ongoing 2023 ICC World Cup, they are expected to clinch the victory.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Australia Men's ODI Squad Analysis
ICC World Cup 2023: India Opt to Field First Against Arch-Rivals Pakistan
India won the toss and opted to send Pakistan in to bat first in a high-stakes ICC World Cup match on Saturday in Ahmedabad.
Shubman Gill returns for India, replacing Ishan Kishan.
World Cup 2023: Tigers outplayed again as New Zealand win by 8 wickets
After the toss, Indian captain Rohit Sharma stated, "We'll bowl first in this charged atmosphere. The pitch is reliable; dew may play a role, so we opt to field. Our goal is excellence in every game."
Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam, mentioned they would have made the same decision if they had won the toss.
World Cup 2023: Bangladesh post below par 245 against New Zealand
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad boasts a capacity of 1.3 lakh spectators, and during the toss, the stadium was filled to the brim, underscoring the fervor among fans for this match.
In World Cup history, India has faced Pakistan on seven occasions and emerged victorious every time.
ICC World Cup 2023: Pakistan ODI Squad Analysis
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Pakistan (Playing XI): Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf.
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
ICC World Cup 2023: Preview of PAK vs. SL ODI
Pakistan and Sri Lanka are scheduled to compete in the 8th match of the ICC 2023 Cricket World Cup match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad, India. The match will be held on October 10 at 2:30 pm Bangladesh. This will be the second match for both teams, where Pakistan is coming with a win, and Sri Lanka lost their first match against South Africa.
Preview of Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka ODI Match in the 2023 ICC World Cup
Pakistan started their World Cup journey with an 81-run victory over the Netherlands. However, they encountered some challenges in batting against the Dutch bowlers. Nevertheless, Pakistan's strong bowling unit, led by Haris Rauf, ensured a comfortable victory. Ranked 2nd in ODIs, Pakistan is determined to clinch another win and strengthen their standing in the tournament.
It's important to highlight that the upcoming match will be held at the same venue where Pakistan competed last week, potentially giving them an additional advantage. Given that both teams experienced being bowled out on that particular day, the venue might favor the bowlers, making the choice for the Player of the Match likely to be influenced by bowling performances.
This year, Pakistan played 17 ODI matches so far and won 11 of them, while one match outcome was no result.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Tickets: How to Buy Online, Booking, Prices, Starting Dates and Timings
Table: Pakistan's performance in ODI matches in 2023 So far
Matches
Win
Loss
No Result
17
11
5
1
Ranked 8th in ODIs, Sri Lanka experienced a challenging defeat in their first World Cup match against South Africa on October 7, 2023, conceding a record number of runs. The Lankan bowling unit, affected by injuries, struggled to contend with the challenges posed by Quinton de Kock, Rassie Vander Dussen, and Aiden Markram, who each notched up centuries. In contrast, the batsmen delivered an impressive performance, with Kusal Mendis showcasing his batting skills with a dazzling 76 off 42 balls.
Additionally, Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka contributed significantly, both reaching half-centuries. Sri Lanka is eager to rebound and deliver an improved performance against Pakistan. With a historical reputation for competitiveness in World Cup matches, the team aims to rediscover their form in this crucial encounter.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023 Venues: Cities and Stadiums in India
In the current year, Sri Lanka has participated in 23 ODI matches, emerging victorious in 14 of them. And they lost 9 matches in 2023. So, the Lankans have a good record so far, and they can give a good fight against Pakistan.
Table: Sri Lanka's performance in ODI matches in 2023 So far
Matches
Win
Loss
No Result
23
14
9
0
Stats of Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the ICC ODI World Cups So far
Pakistan has taken part in a total of 13 ICC World Cups, including the ongoing 2023 tournament. Notably, their standout performance was in 1992, when they clinched the World Cup title. In 1979, 1983, 1987, and 2011, Pakistan reached the Semi-Finals, while in 1999, they secured the runner-up position. However, their journey concluded in the group stage in 2003, 2007, and 2019.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: Schedule, Fixtures, Venues, Team List
Sri Lanka has also made appearances in 13 World Cups. They secured the World Cup title once in 1996 and finished as runners-up on two occasions in 2007 and 2011.
Table: Pakistan and Sri Lanka Stats in ICC ODI World Cups
Team
Appearances
Total Matches Played
Wins
Losses
Tie
No Result
Pakistan
13 times
80
45
32
0
3
Sri Lanka
13 times
83
38
39
1
5
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Head-to-Head ODI Matches So Far
Pakistan and Sri Lanka have contested each other in a total of 156 matches. Out of this tally, Pakistan emerged triumphant in 92 encounters, while Sri Lanka secured victories in 59 matches. Additionally, four matches concluded without a result, and one match ended in a tie.
Read more: Shakib's wife Shisir posts emotional message of support on Facebook
Table: PAK vs. SL Head-to-Head ODI Matches So Far
Matches
Pakistan Won
Sri Lanka Won
No Result
156
92
59
40
Probable Pakistan XI
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.
Probable Sri Lanka XI
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dushan Hemantha, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana.
Read more: ICC World Cup 2023: India ODI Squad Analysis
Pakistani Players to Watch
Babar Azam
Babar Azam, the team captain and ICC's top-ranked ODI batter, is set to play a crucial role as the main man of Pakistan's batting order. Although he could not do well (scored 5 runs only) against the Netherlands, Babar might emerge as a mighty batter in the next match. This year, Babar played 17 matches so far and scored 750 runs, which consists of two centuries and six centuries.
Haris Rauf
Haris took three wickets in the last match against the Netherlands, and he has been one of the most prominent bowlers of Pakistan. This year, he played 14 ODIs and grabbed 27 wickets. So, he might lead the Pakistani bowling lineup in the next match against Sri Lanka.
Shaheen Afridi
In the ODIs of 2023, Pakistani bowler Shaheen Afridi has showcased an outstanding performance, proving to be a tough force with the ball. In 13 matches, he has taken an impressive 25 wickets at an economical rate of 5.30. Afridi's bowling average stands at 22.64, reflecting his effectiveness in consistently breaking through opposition batting line-ups. He took one wicket in the last match.
Read more: Analysis of Bangladesh Squad for ICC World Cup 2023
Sri Lankan Players to Watch
Charith Asalanka
Charith Asalanka holds a significant role for Sri Lanka, currently standing as their highest-ranked ODI batsman. His noteworthy performance against South Africa in the last match, where he emerged as the top scorer, reflects his excellent form. Considering these achievements, he might be the savior for Sri Lanka in the next match.
Matheesha Pathirana
Emerging as one of the standout talents in Sri Lankan cricket over the last year, Pathirana has made a significant impact since his ODI debut in June. In the span of 11 matches, he has claimed 16 wickets. Drawing inspiration from the distinctive sling round-arm fast-bowling style of Lasith Malinga, Pathirana has proven adept at curbing opposition scoring rates, showcasing his ability to be a valuable asset in the bowling department. However, Pathirana had a poor performance in the last match, taking one wicket at a 9.5 economy rate.
Final Words
Pakistan has a good chance to win the PAK vs. SL match on October 10’s ICC World Cup match, because they have been really successful in past Cricket World Cup matches. They have got a superstar player, Babar Azam, who is excellent at batting, and their fast bowlers are tough to beat. So, Pakistan looks like they might come out as a winner in this match.
Read more: Bangladesh's Fixtures for ICC World Cup 2023
10 Most Earthquake-prone Countries around the World
In recent years, several earthquakes have devastated different parts of the globe. Earthquakes are caused by sudden movement along tectonic plates within the surface of earth. These movements release energy in the form of seismic waves that cause the earth's surface to shake. These geological events disrupt lives and economies, standing as stark reminders of the need for earthquake preparedness. Let's take a look at the top earthquake-prone countries across the world and understand their vulnerabilities.
The World's 10 Most Earthquake-prone Countries
Japan
Japan occupies a precarious position in the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc characterized by fault lines and volcanic activity in the Pacific Ocean basin. This is the convergence of four tectonic plates: the Pacific, Philippine, Okhotsk, and Eurasian.
The primary reason behind Japan's seismic vulnerability is the collision and subduction of these tectonic slabs. The Pacific Plate is subducting beneath the North American Plate, creating deep ocean trenches and mountain ranges.
Read more Earthquake Safety Tips for Parents to Keep Children Safe
The 2011 Tohoku earthquake, with a magnitude of 9.1, triggered a devastating tsunami, claiming around 19,759 lives. The 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, measuring magnitude 7, caused about 273 fatalities.
Bangladeshis, Indians, Nepalis and Pakistanis expected to live 5 years less due to air pollution: AQLI
Particulate air pollution remains the greatest external risk to human health, but most of its impact on global life expectancy is concentrated in just six countries, with Bangladesh being one of the most polluted in the world.
As global pollution edged upward in 2021, so did its burden on human health, according to new data from the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI).
If the world were to permanently reduce fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guideline, the average person would add 2.3 years onto their life expectancy—or a combined 17.8 billion life-years saved worldwide.
This data makes clear that particulate pollution remains the world’s greatest external risk to human health, with the impact on life expectancy comparable to that of smoking, more than 3 times that of alcohol use and unsafe water, and more than 5 times that of transport injuries like car crashes. Yet, the pollution challenge worldwide is vastly unequal.
Read: Urgent, coordinated actions needed to curb air pollution in South Asia: World Bank
In no other location on the planet is the deadly impact of pollution more visible than in South Asia, home to the four most polluted countries in the world and nearly a quarter of the global population.
In Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan, the AQLI data reveal that residents are expected to lose about 5 years off their lives on average if the current high levels of pollution persist.
“Three-quarters of air pollution’s impact on global life expectancy occurs in just six countries, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, China, Nigeria and Indonesia, where people lose one to more than six years off their lives because of the air they breathe,” said Michael Greenstone, the Milton Friedman Distinguished Service Professor in Economics and creator of the AQLI along with colleagues at the Energy Policy Institute in University of Chicago (EPIC).
For the last five years, the AQLI’s local information on air quality and its health consequences has generated substantial media and political coverage, but there is an opportunity to complement this annual information with more frequent—for example, daily—and locally generated data.
Read: Dhaka’s air pollution: HC asks what steps have been taken
Indeed, many polluted countries lack basic air pollution infrastructure. Asia and Africa are the two most poignant examples.
They contribute 92.7 percent of life-years lost due to pollution. Yet, just 6.8 and 3.7 percent of governments in Asia and Africa, respectively, provide their citizens with fully open air quality data.
Furthermore, just 35.6 and 4.9 percent of countries in Asia and Africa, respectively, have air quality standards—the most basic building block for policies.
The collective current investments in global air quality infrastructure also do not match where air pollution is having its greatest toll on human life. While there is a large global fund for HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis that annually disburses USD 4 billion towards the issues, there is no equivalent set of coordinated resources for air pollution.
Read: Air pollution 2nd biggest cause of deaths in Bangladesh in 2019, cost about 3.9-4.4% of GDP: World Bank
In fact, the entire continent of Africa receives under USD 300,000 in philanthropic funds towards air pollution (i.e. the current average price of a single-family home in the United States).
Only USD 1.4 million goes to Asia, outside of China and India. Europe, the United States, and Canada, meanwhile, receive USD 34 million, according to the Clean Air Fund.
“Timely, reliable, open air quality data in particular can be the backbone of civil society and government’s clean air efforts—providing the information that people and governments lack and that allows for more informed policy decisions,” said Christa Hasenkopf, the director of AQLI and air quality programs at EPIC.
“Fortunately, we see an immense opportunity to play a role in reversing this by better targeting—and increasing—our funding dollars to collaboratively build the infrastructure that is missing today,” she added.
Read: Effects of Air Pollution on Unborn Children, Neonates, Infants
China
Although the challenge of reducing air pollution across the world may seem daunting, China has had remarkable success, reducing pollution by 42.3 percent since 2013, the year before the country began a “war against pollution.”
Due to these improvements, the average Chinese citizen can expect to live 2.2 years longer, provided the reductions are sustained. However, the pollution in China is still six times higher than the WHO guideline, taking 2.5 years off life expectancy.
Southeast Asia
Like South Asia, almost all of Southeast Asia (99.9 percent) is now considered to have unsafe levels of pollution, with pollution increasing in a single year by as much as 25 percent in some regions. Residents living in the most polluted parts of Southeast Asia are expected to lose 2 to 3 years of life expectancy on average.
Central and West Africa
While Asian countries rightly receive the most media coverage about extreme levels of air pollution, the African countries of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Republic of Congo are amongst the ten most polluted countries in the world. In the most polluted areas of these regions, pollution levels are 12 times the WHO guideline and taking as much as 5.4 years off lives—becoming as much of a health threat as well-known killers in the region like HIV/AIDS and malaria.
Read: UN report: Climate pollution reductions 'highly inadequate'
Latin America
While average air quality is at an unsafe but relatively low level across the region, the most polluted areas—located within Guatemala, Bolivia, and Peru—experience air quality similar to pollution hotspots like Pune in India and Harbin in China. In these regions, the average resident would gain 3 to 4.4 years of life expectancy if their air quality met the WHO guideline.
United States
In the United States, Americans are exposed to 64.9 percent less particulate pollution than in 1970—prior to the passage of the Clean Air Act—and they’re living 1.4 years longer because of it. Yet, 96 percent of the country still doesn’t meet the WHO’s new guideline of 5 µg/m³. This year, the EPA proposed to lower the national standard from 12 μg/m³ to 9-10 µg/m³, gaining 3.2 million total life years if the upper limit of that proposed standard were met. In 2021, 20 out of the top 30 most polluted counties were in California due to the impact of wildfires.
Europe
In Europe, residents are exposed to about 23.5 percent less pollution than they were in 1998, soon after the Air Quality Framework Directive started, gaining 4.5 months of life expectancy because of it. Yet, 98.4 percent of Europe still doesn’t meet the WHO’s new guideline. In 2022, the EU proposed ratcheting down their standard of 25 µg/m³ to 10 µg/m³ by 2030, gaining 80.3 million total life years if the proposed standard were met. Residents in eastern Europe are living 7.2 months less than their western neighbors due to dirtier air.
Read more: 9-point directive on air pollution: HC asks DoE to submit report within 2 weeks
A top court in Pakistan will rule on a conviction appeal from ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan
A court in Pakistan’s capital is expected to issue a crucial ruling Thursday on an appeal from the country’s imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan against his recent conviction and three-year sentence in a graft case, one of his lawyers said.
The former cricket star and top opposition leader was found guilty of concealing assets after selling state gifts he received while in office and was convicted and sentenced on Aug. 5 by another court.
Read: Rescuers save 8 people trapped in cable car dangling above canyon in Pakistan
Khan, through his legal team, requested his release, saying the trial court sentenced him in haste. The 70-year-old Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April 2022, is currently being held at a high-security Attock prison in eastern Punjab province. Even if Khan’s conviction is set aside, his release is unlikely as other courts have canceled his bail in multiple cases.
He has denied the charges of corruption, saying he did not violate any laws.
Shortly before the court hearing, Khan’s lawyer, Naeem Haider Panjutha, took to X, a platform previously known as Twitter, to express his optimism for Khan’s potential release. Despite his conviction and sentencing, Khan is popular in Pakistan. His opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party is expected to give political opponents a tough time in upcoming elections.
Read: Pakistan mounts efforts to rescue 6 children and 2 men trapped in a chairlift
Khan will be unable to run in the election unless his appeal is granted and he is released from prison.
Earlier in August, Pakistan’s Election Commission disqualified Khan from running for office for five years based on his conviction and sentence. Under Pakistan’s laws, no convicted person is eligible to lead a party, run in elections, or hold public office.
Since his ouster in 2022, Khan has said that his removal was a conspiracy by Washington, his successor Shehbaz Sharif, and the Pakistani military — accusations that all three deny. Sharif stepped down this month after the parliament’s term ended.
Khan’s legal team has also petitioned the Supreme Court of Pakistan to seek his release. However, the Supreme Court said it would only take up the matter after the Islamabad High Court ruled on Khan’s appeal.
Read: Bus engulfed in flames after hitting van in Pakistan, killing 18 people and injuring 13 others
The Supreme Court is set to hear Khan’s petition later Thursday amid deepening political turmoil. The upcoming vote has been further complicated since the election oversight body announced on Aug. 17 that elections must be delayed because it needs four months to redraw constituencies to reflect the recently held census.
Under the constitution, a vote is to be held in October or November, and caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar is running the day-to-day affairs.
"It was a miracle," says teenager rescued with 7 others from a broken cable car over a Pakistan gorge
The rescue of six school children and two adults who were plucked from a broken cable car that was dangling precariously hundreds of meters (yards) above a steep gorge was a miracle, a survivor said Wednesday. The teenager said he and the others felt repeatedly that death was imminent during the 16-hour ordeal.
The eight passengers were pulled from the cable car in several rescue attempts Tuesday. One of the youngest children was grabbed by a commando attached to a helicopter by rope. A video of the rescue shows the rope swaying wildly as the child, secured by a harness, is pulled into the helicopter.
Read: 15 prominent citizens urge for skilled masters-drivers to prevent waterway accidents
Because helicopters could not fly after sunset, rescuers constructed a makeshift chairlift from a wooden bed frame and ropes and approached the cable car using the one cable that was still intact, local police chief Nazir Ahmed said. In the final stage of the risky operation, just before midnight Tuesday, rescuers and volunteers pulled a rope to lower the chairlift to the ground. Joyful shouts of “God is great” erupted as the chairlift came into view, carrying two boys in traditional white robes.
“I had heard stories about miracles, but I saw a miraculous rescue happening with my own eyes,” said 15-year-old Osama Sharif, one of the six boys who were in the cable car.
Locally made cable cars are a widely used form of transportation in the mountainous Battagram district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Gliding across steep valleys, they cut down travel time but often are poorly maintained and accident prone. Every year people die or are injured while traveling in them.
Read: Rescuers save 8 people trapped in cable car dangling above canyon in Pakistan
On Tuesday morning, the six boys got into the cable car to travel to their school across the ravine from their village. Osama said he was headed to school to receive the result of his final exam.
“We suddenly felt a jolt, and it all happened so suddenly that we thought all of us are going to die,” Osama said in a telephone interview.
He said some of the children and the two adults had cellphones and started making calls. Worried parents tried to reassure the children.“They were telling us don’t worry, help is coming,” he said. After several hours, the passengers saw helicopters flying in the air, and at one point a commando using a rope came very close to the cable car.
Read: Pakistan mounts efforts to rescue 6 children and 2 men trapped in a chairlift
But the choppers also added an element of danger. The air currents churned up by the whirling blades risked weakening the only cable preventing the cable car from crashing to the bottom of the river canyon.
“We cried, and tears were in our eyes, as we feared the cable car will go down,” Osama said.
Eventually a helicopter plucked one of the youngest children from the cable car, he said. Then, the makeshift chairlift arrived, first to give them food and water, followed by the rescue.
Ahmed, the local police chief, said the children received oxygen as a precaution before being handed over to their parents, many of whom burst into tears of joy.
An estimated 30,000 people live in Battagram, and nearly 8,000 gathered to watch the rescue operation, with many volunteering to help.
On Wednesday, authorities were preparing to repair the broken cable car.
Read: Pakistan arrests 129 Muslims after mob attacks on churches and homes of minority Christians
Ata Ullah, another rescued student, said cable cars are the only way residents can reach offices and schools.
“I feel fear in my mind about using the cable car, but I have no other option. I will go to my school again when the cable car is repaired,” he said.
In 2017, 10 people were killed when a cable car fell hundreds of meters (yards) into a ravine in the popular mountain resort of Murree after its cable broke.