Following Bangladesh’s historic 2-1 Twenty20 International (T20I) series win over visitors Pakistan, the 2nd leg of the bilateral series is set to kick off on the 4th of November, 2023, with the first of 3 One-Day Internationals (ODIs). The series opener will be played at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka, and will commence at 9:00 AM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
Bangladesh – Nigar Sultana Joty (C), Nahida Akter (VC), Fargana Hoque Pinky, Shamima Sultana, Sobhana Mostary, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Disha Biswas, Murshida Khatun, Sumaiya Akter, Nishita Akter Nishi, Sultana Khatun (Subject to Fitness)
Pakistan – Nida Dar (C), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Ghulam Fatima, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (WK), Najiha Alvi (WK), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar
Players to watch out:
Fargana Hoque Pinky
The 30-year-old top-order batter has featured in 53 ODI outings, amassing 1240 runs, including her highest score of 107, with an average of 25.83. Fargana’s strengths lie in long-format cricket, and earlier this year, during the home series against India, she built on her two promising starts of 27 and 47 with an extraordinary knock of 107.
Nahida Akter
The 23-year-old left-arm spinner in 32 bowling outings, has scalped 41 ODI wickets with a best of 5/21, and she has also managed the highest of an unbeaten 25 with the bat. Nahida has been in excellent form of late, securing a 5-fer (5/8) in the T20I series opener against Pakistan, and in the 3-match ODI series against India, she claimed 6 wickets.
Bismah Maroof
The 32-year-old all-rounder, with an average of 30.32 with the bat, has accumulated 3184 runs, including a highest score of 99, from 123 outings. She has also taken 44 wickets from 67 bowling outings. In her most recent ODI outing, Bismah scored a fine 60* against South Africa and has continued to be in good form this series, with scores of 20, 30, and 48 to her name in the 3 T20Is.
Diana Baig
The 28-year-old pacer has taken 44 wickets in 49 bowling outings with an economy rate of 4.77 and a best of 4/30. Diana has also contributed with the bat, scoring 222 runs with her best being 35*. She had an impressive 1st leg of the series, recording figures of 0/15 (3), 1/22 (3.3), and 2/34 (4), and will be expected to carry forward the momentum to the ODIs.
Pitch:
The slow-natured center wicket at Shere Bangla National Stadium poses a challenge for batters to score with ease, and the modest average score of 154 at the venue suggests the same. Bowlers, particularly spinners, play a crucial role in dictating the game’s outcome.
Weather:
The conditions over Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka, are expected to be pleasant for the game, with mostly sunny skies and a low chance of rain. The temperature is forecasted to be around 31°C, with light winds and humidity of 61%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Nigar Sultana Joty, Muneeba Ali, Bismah Maroof, Fargana Hoque Pinky, Sidra Amin, Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Nahida Akter, Nashra Sundhu, Marufa Akter
Match details:
Date – November 4, 2023
Time – 9:00 AM IST
Venue – Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on Bangladesh Cricket’s YouTube channel.