Pakistan and Bangladesh are set to clash one last time at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium for the final game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on February 27. Both teams find themselves out of contention for the semi-finals, with India and New Zealand having already secured their places. Despite the absence of stakes, this match offers both sides the opportunity to salvage some pride and leave the tournament on a high note.
The atmosphere around Rawalpindi will be electrifying as fans anticipate the showdown. "The winner of the match between Pakistan and Bangladesh will finish with four points from two games and will all but confirm their place in the final stage of the tournament," noted Cricket.com. This match, often regarded as another chapter of their long-standing rivalry, will undoubtedly capture the attention of millions.
Both teams have faced challenges throughout the tournament, with Pakistan fighting to find consistency and Bangladesh hoping to capitalize on their underdog potential. The predictions from various analysts suggest Pakistan holds the upper hand. ChatGPT highlighted, "Pakistan holds the edge due to their bowling depth and home conditions; if their batting clicks, they should have enough firepower to beat Bangladesh." Meanwhile, Google Gemini added, "Bangladesh can be unpredictable; if their batters can fire, they could pose a challenge." The unpredictable nature of cricket makes this match equally thrilling.
Fans eagerly await the lineup for both sides, and here's how the two teams are expected to line up:
Pakistan predicted XI: Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (captain/wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah.
Bangladesh predicted XI: Tanzid Hasan, Nazmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana.
Historically, matches between Pakistan and Bangladesh have been nail-biters. Pakistan enjoys the upper hand with 34 wins out of their 39 encounters. The last time these two sides met was during the Asia Cup Super 4 match, where Bangladesh clinched victory, raising stakes for the upcoming face-off. "Expect rain to be a factor; if play is disrupted, it could result in no result," warned Grok, highlighting another element to keep fans on edge.
Interest has surged around betting predictions, with many analysts leaning toward Pakistan. One prediction from Google Match Prediction stated, "Pakistan have a 73% chance of winning." This lean toward the home side reflects both historical superiority and the team’s recent form. Cricket enthusiasts will, of course, be assessing how the match might swing either way depending on early breakthroughs.
Both teams are eager to make their mark one final time before heading home from the tournament. Bangladesh will look to their captain Nazmul Hossain Shanto and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim to lead by example. Meanwhile, Babar Azam, Pakistan's captain, will be striving to reinforce his team's potential through consistency.
The match is set to start at 2:30 PM IST with the toss scheduled for 2 PM IST, giving fans just enough time to settle down and enjoy the clash. With the anticipation building and the stakes of pride on the line, viewers worldwide are tuned in to witness what promises to be yet another thrilling chapter of cricketing rivalry.
Catch all the action live from Rawalpindi, as viewers can tune in from various platforms according to their region. Star Sports Network will telecast the match live for fans in India, and for streaming, JioHotstar will provide coverage, continuing to engage cricket fans globally.
Whether you're rooting for Pakistan or hoping for another upset from Bangladesh, this last match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is shaping up to be one for the books. Grab your popcorn and get ready for what promises to be cricket at its best!