ICC World Cup 2019 warm-ups: Pak vs Ban: Three players to watch out for

Having arrived to the World Cup after two back-to-back series losses, Pakistan cricket team was stunned by Afghanistan in the warm-up game on Friday. The Men in Green had nothing in their bags to stop the confident as ever Afghan side. They displayed extra-ordinary effort in both batting and bowling department to cruise past the otherwise under-confident Pakistan. However, the Sarfaraz Ahmed-led team can reassemble themselves ahead of the World Cup as they face Bangladesh in the second warm-up game at Cardiff today.

Bangladesh though is also not a team that can be easily knocked down. The Mashrafe Mortaza-led side has a very balanced squad. Nonetheless, both these teams will give it all to find the winning form before going into the main event. There are quite a few players who would are expected to perform in this match. Here, we take a look at three of them:

Shakib Al Hassan

The iconic Bangladesh cricketer, Shakib Al Hassan recently regained the top spot in the ICC ODI All-rounder rankings. The southpaw returned to the Bangla colours after remaining out due to some injuries. The Bangladesh side and fans back at home always see him as the player who can turn the tables whenever team needs him there. Pertinently, he doesn't disappoint them most of the times. Meanwhile, how he presents himself in the much-anticipated World Cup would be the key for Mortaza and Co. He needs to take responsibility of the middle-order and also give Bangladesh some breakthroughs with the ball.

Fakhar Zaman

Remember 2017 ICC Champions Trophy finals? Who can forget that unbelievable knock of Fakhar Zaman! The right-handed batsman led Pakistan to a historic win over India with swashbuckling hundred. He would be hoping to repeat the same as Pakistan takes to the field in the World Cup. The southpaw has shown some touch in the recently concluded England series, indicating he can be a threat to any opposition in the mega tournament. Knowing Bangladesh lacks depth in their seam bowling, Fakhar might turn the tables for Men in Green in this very first match.

Mohammad Amir

After being left out of the preliminary World Cup squad, Mohammad Amir finally made it to the team, replacing Junaid Khan. Owing to the constant failures, the left-arm pacer was a forced entry in the squad. Even many people criticised his inclusion, considering his empty wickets column in some of the last few matches. However, he can for sure prove the critics wrong by performing well in the World Cup. There is no doubt about his skills with the ball, though it's the commitment that has been missing in his bowling. With Bangladesh having struggled with the bat recently, Amir can get a chance to make a case.