Picture :PCB/X
Desperate to bag two points , Pakistan came out with a clinical all- round performance to thrash Bangladesh by 7 wickets at a CWC23 encounter in Kolkata, Eden Gardens.
Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan had won the toss and opted to bat first > The move backfired as Pakistan rocked them with early wickets. Tanzid Hasan ( 0), Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim ( 5). The innings was tottering at 23/ 3 . But Litton Das 45 ( 64 balls, 6 fours ) and in- form Mahmudullah 56 ( 70 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) , Skipper Shakib Al Hasan after struggling finally scored 43 ( 64 balls, 4 fours) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz chipping in with a cameo 25 helped Bangladesh cross 200 < But they were soon bowled out for 204 in 45. 1 overs.
Pakistan Bowlers were on target from the start. Shaheen Afridi outstanding 3/ 23 ( 9 overs) , Iftikhar Ahmed 1/ 44 ( 10 overs), Haris Rauf 2/ 36 ( 8 overs), Mohammad Wasim Jr bowled with pace 3/ 31 ( 8. 1 overs), Usama Mir was expensive 1/ 66 ( 10 overs)
In reply Pakistan were off to a blazing start . Openers Abdullah Shafique 68 ( 69 balls, 9 fours 2 sixes) and back in side Fakhar Zaman hammered Bangladesh bowlers all – around the ground in a superb opening stand of 128 runs for the first wicket.
Making a comeback at the top Zaman was devastating with his power knock of 81 ( 74 balls , 3 fours and 7 sixes). Pakistan Skipper Babar Azam in attempt to finish game early with run- rate in mind fell for ( 9) . But Mohammad Rizwan 26 not out and Iftikhar Ahmed not out 15 ensured no further loss of wickets and Pakistan cruised to 7 wicket win with plenty of balls to spare reaching 205/ 3 in 32.3 overs)
Bangladesh bowlers did not have runs on the board to challenge Pakistan. Taskin Ahmed 0/ 36 ( 6 overs), Shoriful Islam 0/ 25 ( 4 overs), Mehidy Hasan Miraz bagged all three Pakistan wicket 3/ 60 ( 9 overs), Mustafizur Rahman0/ 47 ( 7 overs), Skipper Shakib Al Hasan 0/ 30 ( 5. 3 overs), Najmul Hossain Shanto 0/ 5 ( 1 over)
The win keeps Pakistan’s hopes of a possible semis alive whereas Bangladesh crash out .
Match: World Cup 2023, 31st Match
Venue: Kolkata | Date: October 31, 2023
