Pakistan's Predicted XI vs Bangladesh, Cricket World Cup 2023: Hasan Ali To Make A Comeback?

Pakistan take on Bangladesh in match no. 31 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on October 31, starting at 2:00 PM IST, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Since beating Afghanistan in their tournament opener, Bangladesh have lost five matches on the bounce, the latest an 87-run drubbing at Eden Gardens against the Netherlands. The Shakib Al Hasan-led team are ninth in the World Cup 2023 points table with two points and a net run rate of -1.338. Pakistan, meanwhile, won two games, followed by four back-to-back defeats in the ongoing tournament. Babar Azam and Co. are sixth in the points table with four points, which is four points behind a top-four spot. (World Cup 2023 Points Table)

The Pakistan team lost a thrilling encounter against South Africa in Chennai last time out. Batting first, Pakistan posted 270 on the scoreboard, courtesy of fifties from Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel along with a 36-ball 43 by Shadab Khan. Aiden Markram's 91 set the foundation in the run chase for the Proteas, who got over the line with just one wicket to spare.

The other three defeats for the 1992 World Cup champions have come against Afghanistan, Australia and India. Pakistan have lost four games on the trot for the first time in World Cup history.

The Men in Green are expected to bring back Hasan Ali to the playing XI in their upcoming game against Bangladesh at Kolkata. They have won 33 of the previous 38 ODIs against the Bangla Tigers.

Openers: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq

Abdullah Shafique has been in good run-scoring form in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. The 23-year-old batter smashed 113 against Sri Lanka while scoring 64 and 58 versus Australia and Afghanistan, respectively.

Imam-ul-Haq, on the other hand, has failed to replicate his