Persistent rain has delayed the toss in the Champions Trophy Group A match between hosts Pakistan and Bangladesh at Rawalpindi Stadium on Thursday. With both teams already out of the race for the semi-finals, the contest holds little significance beyond pride. Dark clouds continue to hover over the stadium after overnight rain, and umpires Adrian Holdstock and Michael Gough are scheduled to inspect the conditions once the weather clears.
Pakistan and Bangladesh are yet to secure a win in the tournament, having lost their first two matches, while India and New Zealand have already qualified for the semi-finals from Group A. Should the rain persist and the match be called off, both teams will exit the competition without a single victory.
Also Read: Pakistan Aims to Break Champions Trophy Winless Streak Against Bangladesh Today
Weather and Pitch Report
According to Accuweather, more rain is expected throughout the afternoon and evening, with temperatures around 18°C and mild winds of 5 km/h. This raises concerns of further delays, and potentially an abandoned match, similar to the South Africa vs Australia fixture at the same venue earlier in the tournament.
The pitch in Rawalpindi is traditionally flat, favoring the batsmen, and historically, it has been a venue for high-scoring encounters. However, with overcast skies and the likelihood of more rain, fast bowlers may find early movement, making their role crucial if the match proceeds.
Pakistan vs Bangladesh Head-to-Head
In One Day Internationals (ODIs), Pakistan has dominated Bangladesh, winning 34 out of 39 encounters. Bangladesh have only managed five victories, although they have occasionally challenged Pakistan, especially in ICC tournaments. Their most notable World Cup win came in 1999 when they shocked Pakistan by 62 runs in Northampton.
Despite Pakistan’s clear upper hand in their head-to-head record, Bangladesh will be hoping to finish their Champions Trophy campaign on a high and rewrite their history against Pakistan.
What Lies Ahead for Group B
Meanwhile, in Group B, South Africa, Australia, and Afghanistan are battling for the remaining semi-final spots, with England already eliminated. The final group stage matches will determine which teams advance to join India and New Zealand in the knockout rounds.
