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In the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 match, Bangladesh are set to face their arch-rivals, Pakistan, at the iconic Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata. However, their campaign in the World Cup has been far from impressive, and they are already out of contention for a spot in the semi-finals.

Bangladesh’s recent performance has been lackluster, most notably with their defeat to the Netherlands in their previous outing. This makes their upcoming match against Pakistan, a formidable team, even more challenging. Despite their struggles, there are a few key players in the Bangladeshi squad to keep an eye on.

Najmul Hossain Shanto

Najmul Hossain Shanto, a young batting talent, is one such player. In the last match, Bangladesh’s batting lineup faced a major setback, and Shanto was no exception, falling for a single-digit score. He did manage to score an unbeaten half-century in one game, but his overall performance has been disappointing, with just 83 runs from six matches. Shanto needs to find his form and contribute significantly to his team’s success in the upcoming clash.

Shakib Al Hasan

Shakib Al Hasan has struggled to leave a mark with the bat in the World Cup. He has mustered only 97 runs in five games, with a top score of 40. However, as a left-arm spinner, Shakib has been relatively more effective, claiming seven wickets in five matches. His leadership and all-round skills will be crucial for Bangladesh’s chances against Pakistan.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz

Another player to watch is Mehidy Hasan Miraz. In the previous match, he emerged as the standout performer with the bat, even though he only managed 35 runs. Throughout the tournament, Mehidy has displayed his potential with the bat, accumulating 144 runs, including one fifty. Additionally, as an off-spinner, he has taken six wickets at an economical rate of 5.33.