Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed: "We will bat first!

"We will do our best to get quick runs on the board. Our target is to score big runs."

Asked about the heavy defeat by West Indies in their first match proving very costly, he said: "It is very disappointing. But the tournament is very long. We will do our level best to win this game and finish on a high note."

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza: "We would 100% like to have batted but we have to bowl well and restrict them to a total we can chase. We have been playing very well against them but they are starting to take off so it's not going to be easy. It's going to be my last World Cup match and I would love to win with this team."

Sarfaraz has done it! Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza call tails, it comes down as a head and Pakistan will - of course - bat.

The first thing he has to do is win the toss, it has been some time since the flick of a coin was so scrutinised but Mike Atherton is out there to conduct it.

Both teams going through some strenuous work-outs on the perfectly manicured Lord's outfield. Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed is aware of the size of the task ahead and is looking for all the help he can get.

The skipper said yesterday: "We will do our best to win the last game as well to end on a high and we will do our best to achieve that but we need to be realistic, but if Allah helps then miracles can happen."

Image source, Getty Images

Remarkably it's the first ODI at Lord's today for Bangladesh, who had harboured their own semi-final hopes after beating South Africa and then chasing down 322 in only 41.3 overs against West Indies, before defeat against India at Edgbaston ended their chances of qualification.

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Pakistan have been trying to catch up ever since their first match really, haven't they? Bowled out for 105 by a fired-up West Indian pace attack and losing in only 13.4 overs left their run-rate in a precarious state.

They responded with a fantastic 14-run win over England, when they amassed 348-8 at Trent Bridge, but their match against Sri Lanka was washed out and there were defeats against Australia and India.

Image source, Getty Images

The form book needs to go out of the window for Pakistan because it favours Bangladesh, who have won the last four matches between the teams, the most recent of which was in Abu Dhabi last year. Prior to that run Pakistan had won 25 successive matches against the Tigers.

Image source, Getty Images

A look at previous results in the tournament underlines the task facing Pakistan today, the highest total to date has been England's 397 against Afghanistan which also resulted in the highest winning margin of 150 runs.

So more than twice that is needed by Pakistan. Tall order doesn't really cover it, does it?

Now it has to be said the excitement could be over before a ball is bowled because if Bangladesh win the toss and bat first, Pakistan definitely cannot qualify.

Yes, to qualify for the semi-finals Pakistan need to win by at least 316 runs - a margin/chasm never before achieved in a one-day international - but it's a glorious sunny day at the Home of Cricket as we welcome you to our coverage of Pakistan against Bangladesh from Lord's in the 2019 Cricket World Cup.

Hello again, there has been Freaky Friday and Funky Friday, what on earth would they call today if Pakistan do this?