Pakistan kept their slim hopes of reaching the World Cup semi-finals alive by securing a convincing seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh on Tuesday. Opting to bat first, Bangladesh struggled to recover from an early top-order collapse, ultimately posting a total of 204 runs before getting all out in the 46th over at the Eden Gardens.
Pakistan's
three-pronged pace attack made a strong impact, both at the beginning and end
of the innings. Only Mahmudullah managed to reach a half-century for
Bangladesh, scoring 56 runs. Openers Fakhar Zaman (81) and Abdullah Shafique
(68) formed a formidable 128-run partnership, setting the stage for Pakistan's
comfortable win with 17.3 overs to spare, significantly improving their net
run-rate. With this victory, Babar Azam's team climbed to fifth place in the
standings after their third win in seven matches, while Bangladesh became the
first team to be eliminated from contention.
Following
his team's sixth defeat in seven matches, Bangladesh's captain, Shakib Al
Hasan, expressed his frustration, saying, "We are trying to force things
but it isn't working. We have to perform together, which is not happening. We
are looking for answers but aren't finding them."
Grant
Bradburn, the head coach of Pakistan, had previously lamented the lack of swing
in India, which had neutralized Pakistan's typically potent pace attack. He
must have been pleased to see Pakistan's pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad
Wasim, and Haris Rauf take eight of Bangladesh's ten wickets. Afridi claimed
his 100th one-day international wicket with his fifth delivery, dismissing
Tanzid Hasan lbw. Najmul Hossain Shanto fell in Afridi's next over, and with
Rauf removing Mushfiqur Rahim in the sixth over, Bangladesh found themselves in
a precarious position at 23 for three.
While
Litton Das (45) and Mahmudullah tried to stabilize the innings, Bangladesh
failed to mount a substantial recovery. Shakib contributed 43 runs, but Wasim's
three wickets in his last seven deliveries accelerated Bangladesh's downfall.
Fakhar
Zaman, who replaced Imam-ul-Haq as the opener, rediscovered his form alongside
Abdullah Shafique, who took charge right from the start. Fakhar reached his
half-century with a spectacular six off Taskin Ahmed, shortly after Abdullah
had achieved his own fifty with a single. Abdullah was dismissed lbw by the
off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz, a decision upheld after a review. Although
Babar Azam was also dismissed, and Fakhar fell just short of a century,
Pakistan's victory was all but assured by then.
Babar
expressed hope for Pakistan's semi-final chances, saying, "We are trying
to win our remaining matches and see where we stand. This win hopefully gives
us confidence in the coming matches."
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