In a crucial ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh in Kolkata, Pakistan made significant changes to their playing XI by dropping opener Imam-ul-Haq and all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz. This decision was made by the team management just a day after their chief selector, Inzamam-ul-Haq, who is also Imam's uncle, resigned from his role amid an investigation into alleged conflicts of interest in the team selection process.
Pakistan decided to go for Fakhar Zaman in place of Imam-ul-Haq and also opted to retain leg-spinner Usama Mir, while Shadab Khan remained excluded from the lineup. Shadab, who is also the team's vice-captain, had suffered a concussion injury during Pakistan's defeat to South Africa in Chennai last week, and Usama had replaced him as a concussion substitute in that game.
In the match, which took place on a hot afternoon at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat. Shakib Al Hasan's side made a change by dropping all-rounder Mahedi Hasan and bringing back Towhid Hridoy.
Imam-ul-Haq, who had shown good form in the lead-up to the World Cup 2023, had been struggling in the tournament, with just 162 runs in six matches and a single fifty-plus score to his name. Fakhar Zaman had opened for Pakistan in their initial match against the Netherlands but was sidelined from the team due to illness after that game.
On the other hand, Mohammad Nawaz had faced difficulties contributing effectively with either bat or ball, managing only 81 runs and taking two wickets in five matches. Captain Babar Azam seemed unimpressed with Nawaz's performance, particularly during their heart-wrenching defeat to South Africa in Chennai, where the left-arm spinner conceded easy runs to the South African tail-ender Keshav Maharaj.
Pakistan’s Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq Resigned
Pakistan cricket is currently facing a crisis, with Babar Azam's team enduring a string of four consecutive defeats in the World Cup 2023, which began after their loss to India in Ahmedabad. This challenging period for Pakistan cricket also witnessed the resignation of chief selector Inzamam amid allegations of conflict of interest. In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) formed a five-member committee to look into these allegations. Inzamam, however, expressed his willingness to cooperate with the investigation and resume his role if found not guilty.
Here’s a look at the playing XIs of both the teams:
Bangladesh (Playing XI) - Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (C), Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Mahmudullah, Towhid Hridoy (In for Mahedi Hasan), Mehidy Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam.
Pakistan (Playing XI) - Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman (In for Imam-ul-Haq), Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman (In for Mohammad Nawaz), Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir (In for Shadab Khan), Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf.