Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey

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How good is a tri-series? In a cricketing world of T20 leagues and bilaterals, which continues the raging debate of the future of cricket, fans of the 1990s and 2000s in particular will feel a sense of nostalgia.

For Bangladesh and Pakistan, this Tri-Series serves as vital preparation ahead of the World Cup. Both have had their T20I struggles in recent times, with the Tigers overcoming UAE in unconvincing fashion after losing 2-1 in Zimbabwe. The men in green, who welcomed England for the first time since 2005, lost the series 4-3 in another example of how reliant they are on Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam.

Perhaps worryingly so close to a World Cup, both sides are still finding their best combinations. Bangladesh have now tried Mehidy Hasan Miraz and the recently recalled Sabbir Rahman at the top, while Pakistan’s middle order must start delivering. Also, some good outings for the bowlers will do confidence a world of good. Let’s see what this contest holds.

BAN vs PAK Possible Playing XI

Bangladesh national selector Habibul Bashar said that Shakib Al Hasan will likely bat at four. However, it remains to be seen if Shakib plays in this game after only just arriving to New Zealand from the CPL.

Bangladesh: 1. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 2. Sabbir Rahman, 3. Litton Das, 4. Shakib Al Hasan (c), 5. Afif Hossain, 6. Mosaddek Hossain, 7. Nurul Hasan (wk), 8. Mohammad Saifuddin/Yasir Ali, 9. Nasum Ahmed, 10. Taskin Ahmed, 11. Mustafizur Rahman

The spotlight will be on Pakistan’s middle order after a disappointing series against England. Naseem Shah has been included in the squad for this series, but whether he features in this match after just recovering from illness remains to be seen. Also, Shaheen Shah Afridi is with the touring party, but he is reportedly unlikely to feature in this Tri-Series as he aims to fully recover from a knee injury for the World Cup.

Pakistan: 1. Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 2. Babar Azam (c), 3. Shan Masood, 4. Iftikhar Ahmed, 5. Khushdil Shah, 6. Asif Ali, 7. Shadab Khan, 8. Mohammad Nawaz, 9. Haris Rauf, 10. Mohammad Hasnain, 11. Naseem Shah/Mohammad Wasim

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BAN vs PAK Head-to-Head Stats & Key Players

Bangladesh:

• If available, Shakib Al Hasan will be vital, as always. The captain has scored the most runs in PAK-BAN T20Is (292) at an average of 41.71 and strike rate of 127.51.
• Afif Hossain has scored the most runs for Bangladesh in T20Is this year (341), which included a match-saving 77* against UAE recently. He is averaging 37.88 with a strike rate of 128.67 in 2022.
• Litton Das will also be key as a senior player. He is Bangladesh’s second-highest run-scorer this year with 275 at an average of 27.50 and strike rate of 138.19.
• Mosaddek Hossain is striking at 142.85 in T20Is this year, which is the best strike rate among Bangladeshi batsmen who have faced at least 10 balls. Expect him to also play a role with the ball as he is the Tigers’ highest wicket-taker in 2022 (11) with an economy of 5.86 and strike rate of 11.7.
• Taskin Ahmed has good numbers against Pakistan in T20Is. He has taken six wickets in as many matches at an economy of just 6.21.
• Mustafizur Rahman has figures of 1/99 in 12 overs in T20s in New Zealand. The left-armer will be key up top in breaking the Rizwan-Babar partnership, as well as the death.

Pakistan:

• The Mohammad Rizwan juggernaut rolls on. He has struck 1,441 runs in 32 T20s this year at an average of 57.64 and strike rate of 130.05. He will be the key wicket for Bangladesh up front.
• Babar Azam hit 110* and 87* against England recently, but he hasn’t been at his consistent best since the start of the Asia Cup. Against Bangladesh, he has scored just 93 runs in five innings, with one score of 66*.
• Shan Masood also had an up and down series against England. But, he has the form this year to make an impact. In 32 T20 innings in 2022, he has scored 1,181 runs at an average of 40.72 and strike rate of 137.97.
• Can Asif Ali bounce back after a very poor series against England? Pakistan’s finishing option is averaging just 11.32 with a strike rate of 134.38 in 23 matches this year.
• Shadab Khan’s all-round ability can be a big asset for Pakistan. Against Bangladesh, he has taken five wickets in four matches at an average of 19.20 and economy of 6.40.
• With the bat this year, Shadab is striking at 148.44 in 24 innings. There is a case for Pakistan to bat him higher the order.
• Haris Rauf has taken the most wickets for Pakistan in T20Is in 2022 (17). The pacer is taking a wicket every 16.6 deliveries, and he is particularly important in the death overs.
• If fit, Naseem Shah will certainly be a threat to Bangladesh given how promising he looked in the Asia Cup. In all T20s this year, Naseem has taken 26 wickets in 19 matches at an economy of 8.22.

Other Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 15, Pakistan 13, Bangladesh 2.
• Pakistan have won the last six T20Is against Bangladesh, including a 3-0 series win in November 2021.
• Since the start of the 2021 T20 World Cup, Bangladesh have won just six of 22 completed T20Is. Only two of those have come against Test playing nations.

Hagley Oval Christchurch Pitch Report and Weather

Cricket is not often played in October in New Zealand, as conditions are still quite cold. A top of just 12 degrees is forecast for this afternoon match in Christchurch, but mostly clear conditions are expected.

In ten matches in the 2021/22 Super Smash at Christchurch, the average first innings score was 157. The team batting first won eight of those matches.

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BAN vs PAK Dream11 Prediction 7 October 2022

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Fan2Play Prediction

Base Team:

• Wicket-Keepers: Mohammad Rizwan
• Batsmen: Babar Azam, Afif Hossain
• All-Rounders: Shakib Al Hasan, Shadab Khan, Mosaddek Hossain
• Bowlers: Haris Rauf

NZ Tri-Series Match 1: BAN vs PAK Match Prediction – Who Will Win?

Pakistan to win.

Disclaimer: Links in this article are part of a sponsorship for the 2022 T20 World Cup where CricBlog has received a fee.