Pakistan vs Bangladesh Prediction: Pakistan are favourites to win at their home

Pakistan will be facing off against Bangladesh in the first game of the Super Fours in the Asia Cup at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Pakistan are favourites to win at their home. Who will win this game?

Pakistan has been performing admirably in the limited-overs format and has recently ascended to the top of the ICC ODI rankings. Their flawless run through the group stages landed them at the summit of the Group A standings.

With a well-rounded team at their disposal, Pakistan aims to excel in every facet of the game against Bangladesh. Fakhar Zaman and Imam Ul-Haq are set to open the batting, although their impact in the Nepal match was limited, being the sole opportunity for Pakistan to bat.

The exceptional Babar Azam, occupying the pivotal number 3 position, has been in splendid form this year. His remarkable 214-run partnership with Iftikhar Ahmed propelled Pakistan to a formidable total. The middle order features Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, and Shadab Khan.

While Pakistan's batting lineup isn't weak, the reliance on Babar Azam is evident. Their batting depth, however, presents a considerable advantage over most other teams, including Bangladesh.

Pakistan currently boasts one of the finest pace attacks globally. The trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah is renowned for their ability to generate substantial pace, effective on various pitch types. Afridi, in particular, showcased his prime form by claiming four wickets against India.

On the spin front, Pakistan's options are relatively limited, with their reliance resting on all-rounders like Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz.

Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (C), Imam-ul-Haq, Agha Salman, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah

Bangladesh kicked off its campaign with a defeat against Sri Lanka but bounced back impressively in a crucial match against Afghanistan, securing a second-place finish in the Group B standings.

In the previous game, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz showcased their batting prowess, each notching up a century and forming Bangladesh's second-highest partnership for the third wicket. However, concerns linger regarding the form of other batsmen.

The performances of Mohammad Naim, Towhid Hridoy, and Mushfiqur Rahim have been underwhelming thus far. The presence of all-rounders like Shakib Al-Hasan, Shamim Hossain, and Afif Hossain bolsters the batting lineup, but their effectiveness against a formidable bowling attack remains uncertain.

Bangladesh's batting often falters on pitches favoring high totals, while they tend to fare better on surfaces with grip and more modest run rates. Unfortunately, the conditions at the Gaddafi Stadium are unlikely to suit their style.

Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Hasan Mahmud will spearhead the seam attack, while Shakib, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Afif Hossain will lead the spin department. However, it's worth noting that Pakistan might not be overly concerned about this bowling lineup. None of these bowlers are considered world-class, and even on their best days, they might struggle to outshine Pakistan's formidable batting lineup.

Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mohammad Naim, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shakib Al Hasan (C), Shamim Hossain, Afif Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud

The Gaddafi Stadium pitch is conducive to batting, and a high-scoring game is anticipated. This pitch offers a flat surface with ample bounce and pace, providing favourable conditions for batsmen to unleash their strokes. Teams batting first will aim to achieve a substantial total, ideally approaching the 300-run mark. However, disciplined bowling from the seamers, maintaining precise line and length, can yield wickets on this track. The weather forecast indicates clear skies for the match.. While the odds for a Bangladesh victory appear tempting, we hold the view that it's improbable for them to secure a win against Pakistan at this juncture. Pakistan has displayed impressive performances in recent months, and we anticipate their continued strong showing. Expect a high-scoring game.