Sports Desk: Bangladesh will play their first game in a World Cup against Pakistan, when the two sides meet at ‘Home of Cricket’ Lord’s on Friday. The match starts at 3.30 PM (Bangladesh Standard Time). It might sound surprising that two nations never met in a World Cup event since the 1999 but such was the system that they were never drawn in same group. Only the round robin league system this time gives them an opportunity to meet again. Despite their semifinal hope ended with 28-run defeat to India, stake is high for Bangladesh as they would try to win four matches for the first time in World Cup history. Bangladesh never won more than three matches in a single edition of World Cup. Having won three matches against South Africa, West Indies and Afghanistan, Pakistan is on their way, against whom they are expected to win. Pakistan are mathematically in the tournament but practically was eliminated after England’s crushing 119-run victory over New Zealand.
Pakistan could accumulate 11 points in case of victory against Bangladesh, same as New Zealand but the difference of run rate between the two side is such vast that Pakistan would have to win against Bangladesh by such a large margin which is only possible if they can produce any miracle. Miracle like Pakistan would have to beat Bangladesh at least by 316-run margin. It is only possible in dream but not in real. And if the result of the last five matches between the two sides is taken into consideration, Bangladesh will be absolutely favourite to win the game.
Bangladesh won last four matches in five games against Pakistan, including their historical 3-0 whitewash on the sub-continent rivals at home den in 2015. The latest win came in the Asia Cup last year. But before turning the things around in 2015, the battle was one-sided. Since 1986 to 2014, Pakistan won 31 matches and lost just one against Bangladesh that came in the 1999 World Cup. Before winning their first match in the 2015 bilateral series with which they kick-started their mission to whitewash Pakistan, Bangladesh lost 25 matches in a row, a record losing-streak for a Test nation against a particular country. But when Bangladesh broke the curse, they were never beaten by the Pakistan. Overall the two teams have faced off against each other in 36 matches since 1986 to 2018, of which Pakistan have won 31 and lost only 5.