Why are Shadab Khan and Mahedi Hasan not playing in ICC World Cup 2023, match 31 between Pakistan and Bangladesh?

It is make-or-break time for Pakistan and Bangladesh as they lock horns in the ODI World Cup 2023 on Tuesday, October 31 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Bangladesh made just one change to their playing XI from the loss against the Netherlands. Mahedi Hasan was left out of the side and middle-order batter Towhid Hridoy was brought back. Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Babar Azam made wholesale changes to the playing XI, bringing Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha, and Usama Mir into the playing XI, while leaving out the trio of Imam-ul-Haq, Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Nawaz. 

For the unversed, Shadab suffered a concussion during Pakistan's eight-wicket loss to Afghanistan in their most recent game. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) gave an official statement that the all-rounder was ruled out of the match against Bangladesh by the medical team as he is yet to fully recover.

"Shadab Khan suffered a concussion in Pakistan's match vs South Africa. After a thorough assessment, the medical panel had no choice but to rule him out of the match against Bangladesh," the PCB statement read.

Usama Mir, who came in place of Shadab as a concussion substitute, was included in the XI against Bangladesh. Imam, on the other hand, was dropped after he managed to score just 162 runs in six matches in the tournament. Nawaz had also struggled to find his feet. Agha Salman is set to play his maiden World Cup game in place of the southpaw.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh strengthened their batting by bringing in Towhid Hridoy in place of all-rounder Mahedi Hasan.

What did the two captains say at the toss?

Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and opted to bat first. He felt that the pitch was on the drier side. The talismanic all-rounder hoped his team would click as a unit. Babar said that he would have also batted first. He reckoned that there could be some swing early on.

"We will bat first, looks like a dry wicket, we played the last game here, it was slow and there was turn. We have nothing to lose, we have to play well in the first 10 overs and hopefully we can go from there. We haven’t been consistent enough, we have been doing bits and pieces but haven’t performed collectively and that has been disappointing. There isn’t much difference between in here and Dhaka in terms of culture so hopefully we will have some good support," Shakib said.

Babar Azam said: "We would also like to bat first. There might be some swing in it early on because there is some moisture in it. Last match we were good in all three departments. There was some good energy. I am also waiting for a big innings, I will try to convert into a hundred. Three changes, Imam, Shadab and Nawaz out. Fakhar, Salman and Usama in."

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Litton Das, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan(C), Mushfiqur Rahim(WK), Mahmudullah, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam

Pakistan (Playing XI): Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam(C), Mohammad Rizwan(WK), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf

Also Check: ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Teams & Squads