Cricket fans are gearing up for an intriguing clash in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as Pakistan take on Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. This encounter, scheduled for Thursday, February 27 in Rawalpindi, might be a dead rubber in terms of tournament progression, but it still promises moments of excitement and pride. Both teams have already been eliminated from semi-final contention after underwhelming campaigns – each suffering defeats to tournament heavyweights India and New Zealand
Despite having no path forward, the match holds significance for players and fans alike, setting the stage for a face-off where pride is on the line.
Meta Description: Pakistan vs Bangladesh Champions Trophy 2025 preview – team form, probable XIs, Rawalpindi pitch report, live score context, and why this dead rubber matters.
Tournament Performance So Far
Pakistan: The tournament hosts entered the Champions Trophy with high hopes, playing an ICC event at home for the first time since 1996
However, Pakistan’s performances have been below par. They were comprehensively beaten by New Zealand and India in their group matches
Pakistan’s batting has looked brittle – they managed 260 while chasing a stiff 321-run target in one match, and only 241 when batting first in another
These modest totals indicate a struggle to impose themselves, and the lack of runs meant the bowlers had little cushion. In an era when even 350+ scores can be unsafe, Pakistan’s inability to cross 270 stood out. The team’s bowling and fielding also failed to spark; overall, Pakistan have been described as “mediocre across all facets” in this tournament
One bright spot has been the consistency of key players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in patches, but even they could not convert starts into match-winning contributions. With the pressure now off, Pakistan might finally play with freedom to give their home fans something to cheer.
Bangladesh: Bangladesh’s campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has mirrored Pakistan’s struggles. The Bangladeshi batting unit has been vulnerable, collapsing in crunch moments. In their opening game against India, Bangladesh slumped to 35/5 before a lower-order fightback led by young Towhid Hridoy’s century helped them reach 228 – still a below-par total that India chased comfortably for a six-wicket win
In the next match, Bangladesh managed 240 when batting first, but that too proved insufficient as New Zealand overhauled it, knocking Bangladesh out of semi-final contention. Apart from Hridoy’s heroics and some resilience shown by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali, the batting lineup largely failed to fire. The bowling unit, spearheaded by Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed, showed spirit and picked up wickets to make contests interesting, but they were often defending too few runs. Bangladesh’s defeats to India and New Zealand have left them playing for pride in this final group fixture. The silver lining is that with no pressure of qualification, the Tigers can express themselves more freely and aim to end their tournament on a winning note.
Expected Playing XIs and Possible Changes
With this being a dead rubber, both teams could ring in changes to give bench players an opportunity. Here are the Pakistan vs Bangladesh probable XI selections:
- Pakistan Probable XI: Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Usman Khan, Mohammad Rizwan (wk & c), Agha Salman, Faheem Ashraf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
Possible changes: Pakistan might rest some regulars. Star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and leg-spinner Shadab Khan, who have featured earlier, could be rested, allowing the likes of Mohammad Hasnain and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed a game. Middle-order batter Kamran Ghulam and opener Usman Khan are yet to play in this Champions Trophy and may be drafted in. Notably, Mohammad Rizwan is expected to lead the side in this match, possibly giving Babar Azam a break from captaincy duties. - Bangladesh Probable XI: Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman.
Possible changes: Bangladesh are likely to stick with the same XI that played against New Zealand There is, however, an eye on the future. This match could mark the final appearance in an ICC event for veterans Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah. The team management might want them to sign off on a high. All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been absent this tournament due to injury, putting more onus on youngsters like Hridoy and rookie leg-spinner Rishad Hossain to step up. With nothing at stake, Bangladesh could have also considered giving opportunities to other squad members, but reports suggest they will field an unchanged side to strive for a consolation win.
Pitch Report and Weather Conditions at Rawalpindi
Turning to the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium pitch report, the surface is historically batting-friendly with true bounce and carry. In this tournament, batsmen have enjoyed the ball coming onto the bat nicely, which could mean another high-scoring game if the batters apply themselves. The average first-innings score in ODIs at Rawalpindi is around 240-250 runs indicating a competitive total in that range. In fact, the venue has seen totals in excess of 330 being chased successfully in the past so teams won’t feel safe unless they post well above par. Pacers may get some swing and seam movement with the new ball early on, but as the match progresses, the pitch tends to favor stroke-play. Spinners can come into play in the middle overs once the surface starts to wear a bit, but they will need to bowl smartly as there might not be extravagant turn.
Weather could play spoilsport in Rawalpindi. The forecast for match day is not very encouraging – there have been persistent rains in the region this week, even causing an abandonment of another game at this venue. Fans will be hoping the rain stays away on Thursday. If rain does hit, conditions could become tricky with a damp outfield and potential interruptions. In a day-night fixture, dew is often a factor at Rawalpindi, and if the skies clear up by evening, the team bowling second might have to contend with a wet ball. Captains might prefer chasing upon winning the toss, considering both the possibility of weather interference and the dew advantage later in the night. Overall, if the weather holds, expect pleasant temperatures around 20°C and a pitch that offers plenty of runs.
Statistical Insights and Head-to-Head Records
Despite their recent struggles, Pakistan and Bangladesh’s cricket history provides some interesting statistical context. In ODI cricket, Pakistan have a dominant head-to-head record against Bangladesh. The two sides have met 39 times in ODIs, with Pakistan winning 34 of those encounters and Bangladesh only 5. Bangladesh’s last ODI victory over Pakistan came in the 2018 Asia Cup, where they pulled off a memorable 37-run win in Abu Dhabi Since that upset, Pakistan have won all subsequent ODIs between the two, including encounters in the 2019 World Cup and the 2023 Asia Cup. Notably, this Champions Trophy fixture will be the first-ever meeting between Pakistan and Bangladesh in a Champions Trophy match adding a historic footnote to the game.
Looking at individual performances, Pakistan’s batting talisman Babar Azam will be key; he has a strong overall ODI record and has scored heavily against Bangladesh in past meetings. For Bangladesh, senior batsman Mushfiqur Rahim has often been a thorn in Pakistan’s side, and many eyes will be on him and the young Towhid Hridoy to provide runs in this game. On the bowling front, Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi (if he plays) enjoys bowling against Bangladesh’s top order and could add to his wicket tally. Bangladesh’s left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman has a history of troubling Pakistani batsmen with his cutters and change-ups.
This tournament’s stats also highlight both teams’ shortcomings. Pakistan’s scoring rate in the first Powerplay (overs 1-10) since 2023 has been 4.84, the second-slowest among all Champions Trophy sides, only above Afghanistan
This cautious approach up front has often left them with too much to do in the later overs. Bangladesh, meanwhile, have bowled an exceptionally high number of dot balls in this event – their match against New Zealand alone had 181 dot deliveries reflecting the batting side’s inability to rotate strike. Both teams will aim to address these issues; even though it’s the last match of their campaign, a polished performance here can help restore some pride.
Match Significance: Playing for Pride
While this contest may not influence the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinals, it carries significant meaning for both Pakistan and Bangladesh. Often in sport, dead rubber matches reveal the character of teams. Here, the players have a chance to perform without the weight of expectations and pressure, potentially leading to a more free-flowing and entertaining game. Pakistan, playing in front of their home crowd in Rawalpindi, will be keen to avoid a winless campaign and give their supporters something to smile about. A victory would serve as a morale boost for the team and the coaching staff, who have faced criticism for the lackluster performance so far.
For Bangladesh, the motivation is equally strong. They are not just playing for a consolation win, but also for the pride of finishing strong. As mentioned, this could be a swansong in ICC tournaments for seasoned campaigners like Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah, so they will want to leave a lasting impression. The younger members of the side, such as Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy, will also look to show that the future of Bangladesh cricket is bright by stepping up in this match. A win against Pakistan on their home turf – even with nothing at stake – would be a confidence booster and a statement that Bangladesh can challenge the top teams. Moreover, every match between Pakistan and Bangladesh has a passionate following due to the competitive rivalry that has developed over the years. Fans from Dhaka to Karachi will tune in to follow the contest closely, checking for Pakistan vs Bangladesh live score updates and hoping their team ends the tournament on a high note.
Conclusion
In summary, the Pakistan vs Bangladesh encounter in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 might not have a bearing on the tournament’s knockout stage, but it remains a match brimming with narrative. Both teams have a point to prove – to themselves, to their fans, and to their critics. It’s a classic case of two wounded sides eyeing redemption. We expect to see a few strategic changes in line-ups, a batting-friendly Rawalpindi pitch (weather permitting), and a contest that, despite the circumstances, will not lack intensity. Ultimately, cricket aficionados can anticipate an intriguing battle in a neutral setting. If rain stays away, this dead rubber could still produce some fireworks as both teams play for pride. It’s the final chance for these sides to end their Champions Trophy campaigns with a positive memory, making it a battle very much worth watching.
