PAK vs BAN: Top 3 batters to watch out for in Pakistan vs Bangladesh Champions Trophy Match 9

The final round of Group A matches in Champions Trophy will see Pakistan take on Bangladesh on Thursday. This will be followed by India taking on New Zealand on Sunday. While India and New Zealand have made it to the semis, hosts Pakistan along with 2017 semi-finalist Bangladesh were the first two sides to exit from the campaign. 

Pakistan began the tournament with their loss against New Zealand by sixty runs. The batting shown by the hosts was called out as they lacked the intent needed while chasing 321 runs. In the next match against India, the Men in Green faltered yet again as they were bowled out for just 241 runs. 

On the other hand, Bangladesh were bowled out for 228 vs India which they lost by six wickets in Dubai. Their next match against New Zealand saw Najmul Shanto’s men score just 236 for the loss of nine wickets as the Kiwis won the game with ease. The match on Thursday has nothing in it apart from academic interest as both sides will look to perform well. 

Here are the top three batters to watch out for in PAK vs BAN Champions Trophy match 9

3- Mohammad Rizwan 

Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan has failed to get going with the bat in the ongoing Champions Trophy tournament. The 32-year-old began with his knock of three runs vs New Zealand followed by 46 against India on Sunday. Rizwan has batted well against the Bangladeshis and has an average of 57 from the five matches he has played. Rizwan has hit 173 runs from five matches against Bangladesh with a best of 67 and has a strike rate of 93. 

2- Najmul Shanto 

One of the key batters for Bangladesh will be their skipper Namjul Shanto who decided to open the batting in the last match. The 26-year-old scored 77 versus New Zealand and played well against the new ball attack. Shanto will know that the Pakistani bowlers are under pressure with the ball after the thrashing they got at India’s hands. The Bangladeshi skipper is a naturally attacking batter and with nothing to lose it might just be the game for Shanto to show his full range of shots. 

1- Babar Azam 

Former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has been called out by many former players for his ability to score a big century. The 30-year-old will look to silence the critics with the bat and look to end his century drought. Babar Azam has so far scored 87 runs from the first two matches of the tournament and will look to give his home fans something to cheer about in the final game of the campaign.