Eden Gardens, Kolkata Pitch Report & Weather Forecast For PAK vs BAN ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Match 31

Add as a preferred source on Google

Eden Gardens in Kolkata will stage it's second match of the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 on Tuesday (October 31) when out of sorts Asian rivals clash as Pakistan take on Bangladesh in match 31 of the show-piece tournament.

Both sides come into the match on the back of defeats. While Babar Azam-led Pakistan lost to South Africa by 1 wicket at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Shakib Al Hasan's Bangladesh were handed a stunning loss by Netherlands at the Eden Gardens.

Pakistan failed to defend a total of 270 on a sluggish surface in Chennai, while Bangladesh struggled in their run chase of 230 and were bundled out for 142 on a wicket that provided some assistance for both the quick and slow bowlers.

A similar surface may be in store for the Pakistan-Bangladesh encounter in Kolkata, which has often seen only batter's find some joy especially with dew also setting in during the later stages of the match. But the first game of the World Cup at the venue saw the bowlers dominate.

Weather has not interrupted both Pakistan and Bangladesh's matches so far in the World Cup. But with some parts of India witnessing showers due to the retreating monsoon, here is a look at the Kolkata weather forecast and the Eden Gardens pitch report for PAK vs BAN World Cup match:

Kolkata Weather Forecast on October 31

There is no threat of rain in Kolkata on Tuesday (October 31) or in the lead up to match. It is expected to be a day for hazy sunshine and moonlight with temperatures touching 33° C at the start of play and reducing 26° C at the closing stages, according to AccuWeather.

As per Weather Channel, there is forecast for a clear day with no chance of rain. The temperatures will touch 32° C in the noon and reduce to 27° C at the closing stages. So, weather is unlikely to play spoilsport in the PAK vs BAN match in Kolkata.

However, like many other venues in the 2023 World Cup, dew could be a factor in the later stages of the second innings in Kolkata, meaning the team chasing may have an extra advantage. So, how is the Kolkata wicket going to play? How will they cope with dew?

Eden Gardens pitch report for PAK vs BAN World Cup match

Four pitches of the nine strips have been selected by the ICC to host the five ICC World Cup 2023 matches, including the semifinal, in Eden Gardens in Kolkata. All the wickets at the venue have been prepared using black cotton soil, which helps retain the bounce.

Dew is likely to be a factor helping the teams chasing, but sporting tracks have been prepared to stop one-sided matches. The most recent ODIs at the venue have seen low-scoring matches with both spin and pace finding joy.

In the most recent match, an all round bowling effort from Bangladesh had restricted Netherlands to 229, but the Dutch pacers dominated proceedings under lights to bundle out the Tigers for a paltry 142 to seal an 87-run victory.

The average first innings score in the 32 ODIs hosted by the venue is 235. Over the years, the teams batting first have had the advantage with spinners using the slowing surface as the game progresses. But recently even the quicks have found joy bowling under lights.

The captains will be tempted to chase especially with the dew factor in mind. However, the recent matches in the World Cup may force the captain to put runs on the board and defend the score, especially Bangladesh, who possess a better spin attack.