After showing a glimpse of a spirited fightback against South Africa in Chennai, Pakistan is set to face off against Bangladesh in a crucial ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 clash at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. With a promise to rebound, Pakistan looks to regain much-needed momentum and get back on the winning track in this high-stakes encounter.
Pakistan’s roller-coaster journey in this World Cup began with an ideal start as they clinched victories in the opening two games against Netherlands and Sri Lanka. However, their fortunes took a sharp turn as they suffered four consecutive losses. To keep their semi-final hopes alive, Pakistan not only requires victories in their remaining three games but also needs fate to favor them.
The historic Eden Gardens in Kolkata witnessed an intense practice session from the Pakistan team, a venue marked by significant encounters, triumphs, and heartbreaks for Pakistan over the years. Against Bangladesh, Pakistan boasts dominance, having played 38 matches and winning 33 of them. In World Cup encounters, both teams have won a game each, with their last World Cup face-off taking place at Lord’s in 2019, where Imam-ul-Haq scored a hundred, and Shaheen Afridi claimed 6-35, marking the best bowling figures for a Pakistan bowler in a World Cup match.
Pakistan might have lost their last four games, but their most recent defeat came by the narrowest of margins, with South Africa winning by just one wicket. Reflecting on the positives from this heart-wrenching loss, Andrew Puttick, Pakistan’s batting coach, stated, “We put up a good fight, we went all the way to the end, and it was a tough match. I think at times we had momentum, and similarly South Africa had momentum, and it came down to a fine margin in the end. We were very close, but eventually, it went in South Africa’s way. However, I think we fought for every ball and every run, so there were really good signs there.”
“Obviously, the boys were quite disappointed without the victory, but it seems that it made them more hungry. There has been a good feeling around. We took a day or two to get over the South Africa game, but we are refocused and have spent some good energy around,” added Puttick.
With only five cities hosting Pakistan’s nine league matches, Kolkata is the fifth venue for Pakistan’s World Cup fixtures. Grant Bradburn, Pakistan’s head coach, acknowledged the new conditions they would face, stating, “We have a new venue in Kolkata, which looks like a dry sort of pitch, unlike the one we had in our previous games. We have to adapt, read the conditions quickly, and be smart in the way we play in these conditions. I think it is great for all of the boys to play at different venues and experience different conditions in India. It’s going to be a hot and sweaty evening. We have prepared our homework, and it’s now about performing to the best of our abilities in the middle.”
Bradburn continued, “We are desperate to bring joy to our nation. We are desperate to make our nation very proud of this cricket team. And we are also realistic in the knowledge that we haven’t put all departments of our game together over the last four games, but four losses do not define who we are as players, as coaches, or as a team. So, we’re determined now to focus on what we can control and that is putting our best on the park in these last three games and then leaving that to fate to determine the remainder of the tournament for Pakistan.”
As Pakistan faces Bangladesh in this crucial World Cup clash, the stage is set for a fiercely contested battle at the historic Eden Gardens, where a win can reignite their hopes of making it to the semi-finals and bringing joy to their passionate cricket-loving nation.
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