PAK vs BAN Match Prediction: Who will win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Match 9?

PAK vs BAN Match Details

In a group that has already been decided, two eliminated teams will conclude their tournament with their final matches as hosts Pakistan take on Bangladesh in Match 9 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on 27 February starting at 2:30 PM IST in a Group A clash.

Both these teams have been knocked out of the tournament having lost their first two matches, against the two other teams in this group, India and New Zealand, who have qualified for the semis and have had a disappointing campaign so far. However, they have a final chance against each other to restore some pride and finish the tournament on a positive note as opposed to an empty slate with yet another loss making it three out of three in the tournament.

PAK vs BAN Head-to-Head Record

This rivalry between Pakistan and Bangladesh has been pretty one-sided over the years. Pakistan have dominated their Asian rivals since the time when both these teams first met in the ODI format back in 1986. Out of the 39 ODIs played between both the teams overall, as many as 34 have been won by Pakistan while Bangladesh have just won 5. If we consider the last 5 matches, Bangladesh have had much better returns winning 2 out of the last 5 matches but amongst them too Pakistan have won the last three matches.

Pakistan and Bangladesh have faced each other on Pakistani soil 12 times. Pakistan have won all 12 of them and Bangladesh have never defeated Pakistan in an ODI in Pakistan.

Surprisingly, Pakistan and Bangladesh have never faced each other in the Champions Trophy before. This upcoming match will be the first time Pakistan and Bangladesh will lock horns in the Champions Trophy.

PAK vs BAN Pitch Report & Weather Conditions

High-scoring venue

The pitch at the Rawalpindi Stadium is generally one of the flattest wickets going around in Pakistan. There is a bounce with hardly any lateral movement for seamers. While Bangladesh scored 236 in the first innings in the only match played here so far in this tournament, New Zealand batters really showed how the pitch favors the batters and made light work of the chase with some ease.

Dew Factor

Dew played a significant role in the contest between New Zealand and Bangladesh as batting became even easier in the second innings with the ball sliding on to the bat much better under lights making New Zealand’s job easier in the second half. Dew usually plays a part at this venue with the chasing side getting an advantage over the team batting first.

Average 1st Innings Score

The average first innings score in the 27 ODI matches played so far at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is 242. However, the recent figures indicate a much bigger total batting first and the average first innings score in the last 5 completed ODIs at the venue is 269 characterized by batter-friendly conditions.

Chasing Record

Rawalpindi has traditionally favored the chasing side and teams batting second have won 15 out of the 27 matches here with a win percentage of 55.5%.

The recent data is even more revealing as in the last 5 ODI matches, 4 have been won by the chasing side while one match has ended in a tie. This also includes the only match played in Rawalpindi in the Champions Trophy 2025 where New Zealand chased down 237 against Bangladesh comfortably.

Weather Report

The most important thing though could be the weather once again in Rawalpindi. With rain forcing a complete washout between Australia and South Africa in the same venue just a day ago, all the eyes will be upwards once more. As far as the forecast goes. there are 70% chances of rain in this match and there could be another washout on the cards. If we get lucky, we could get a shortened game but a full game seems very unlikely going by the radar.

PAK vs BAN Match Prediction: Playing 11s (Predicted)

Pakistan Probable Playing 11

Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (C) (WK), Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah/Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

We could see a few changes in the Pakistan line-up with a lot of their players having underperformed in this event. Faheem Ashraf could get a look in while someone like Mohammad Hasnain could also get a go in place of one of their frontline seamers.

Bangladesh Playing 11

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

Bangladesh might go with the same team even though they have lost both their previous games. Only Nasum Ahmed and Parvez Hossain Emon have not played in the tournament so far for them but they might not get a place in the final match as well.

Form and Fitness:

Pakistan Recent Form (most recent first): L L L W L

Bangladesh Recent Form (most recent first): L L L L L

PAK vs BAN recent form (Last 5 matches)

Pakistan: Hosting an ICC tournament after 29 years and after so much turmoil, Pakistan have been one of the major disappointments of this tournament. They have been found to be way below par at the world stage and have been exposed by much better teams, New Zealand and India, in the group stage. In fact, if we include the tri-series preceding the Champions Trophy, New Zealand have defeated the hosts thrice in the space of two weeks. Their only win in the last 5 matches came against South Africa in the same tri-series in which they chased down a record 352 in Karachi.

Hosts Pakistan have been outclassed in both their matches so far. While New Zealand outscored them batting first in the season opener as they lost by 60 runs chasing 320, arch-rivals India showed displayed utter dominance as they defeated Pakistan by 6 wickets chasing an under-par 241.

Pakistan’s lack of a quality spinner to support their only frontline spinner Abrar Ahmed has come back to bite them. Skipper Rizwan went ahead in the press conference after the India game and compared his part-timers Salman Ali Agha and Khushdil Shah with the likes of Jadeja and Axar and that was not well received.

However, their biggest issue has been their star Babar Azam who has failed to make meaningful contributions opening the batting in the absence of Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman with the latter being ruled out after sustaining an injury while fielding in the first match.

Bangladesh: When he was asked about Bangladesh’s hopes in the Champions Trophy a night before their first match, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto said that they are here to win the tournament. Don’t think the statement has aged particularly well with Bangladesh getting comfortably beaten first by India and then by New Zealand both of whom chased down mediocre scores put on by the Bangladesh batting line-up.

Fragility at the top and failure of some big names like Mushfiqur have been the major concerns for Bangladesh with the bat while their bowling has not really set the stage on fire either other than the fiery opening spell by Taskin and Nahid against New Zealand in Rawalpindi. Jaker Ali’s efforts with the bat in both the matches and Towhid Hridoy’s fighting century against India have been their highlights so far.

PAK vs BAN Toss Prediction: Bangladesh to win and bowl first

Given the chasing record at the venue but more importantly the weather conditions expected with rain likely to play its part, either of the skippers winning the toss would definitely want to bowl first. Our prediction is that Bangladesh would win the toss and have a bowl.

PAK vs BAN Players to perform prediction:

Pakistan

1. Imam-ul-Haq – The left-handed opener who has been drafted as Fakhar Zaman’s replacement at the top has 261 runs in 3 innings against Bangladesh includig a century with an average of 87 which is his highest against any opposition in ODIs. He will have a big role to play especially with Babar under scrutiny.
2. Shaheen Shah Afridi – Someone who has been pivotal to Pakistan doing well is the left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi who is always menacing with the new ball. He has 12 wickets in 4 games against Bangladesh including a player-of-the-match performance as well. His career best in ODIs, 6/35, is also against the same opposition.
3. Salman Ali Agha – The right-handed all-rounder has blown hot and cold in the recent past. While he has put up some match-winning performances in the recent past in ODIs against South Africa, both home and away, he has not been able to perform consistently. He will be a key batter in the middle plus his off-spin could be handy too against a left-handed heavy Bangladesh batting line-up.

Bangladesh

1. Mustafizur Rahman – With 9 wickets in 3 matches including a 5-er and a 4-er, Mustafizur has had excellent outings against Pakistan in the past in ODIs. He could be one of the key figures in the pace battery of Bangladesh.
2. Mehidy Hasan Miraz – Touted as the next big superstar from Bangladesh, Mehidy needs to arrive in this tournament having had two poor games. He has 7 wickets in 4 games against Pakistan and that might be a good confidence booster for him having done well against the same opposition in the past.
3. Towhid Hridoy – Bangladesh’s third-ever centurion in Champions Trophy, Towhid Hridoy is an excellent young talent and one of the better batters in their line-up. He is in form as well and could have a good day against Pakistan.

PAK vs BAN Best Batsman Prediction

Who will score the most runs for Pakistan in the match: Imam-ul-Haq & Salman Ali Agha

Who will score the most runs for Bangladesh in the match: Towhid Hridoy & Mehidy Hasan Miraz

PAK vs BAN Best Bowler Prediction

Who will pick the most wickets for Pakistan in the match: Shaheen Shah Afridi & Abrar Ahmed

Who will pick the most wickets for Bangladesh in the match: Mustafizur Rahman & Mehidy Hasan Miraz

Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision