Picture : ICC/ X
Defending Champions England who had crashed out early ended their disappointing CWC23 campaign with a win as they beat Pakistan by 93 runs in a encounter in Kolkata.
Under- fire England Skipper Jos Buttler won the toss and opted to bat first . And his batting line-up woke up just late. Jonny Bairstow set the tone with 59 ( 61 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) , Dawid Malan ( 31). Joe Root too found late form 60 ( 72 balls , 4 fours). All- rounder Ben Stokes 84 ( 76 balls, 11 fours, 2 sixes). Left one wondering why Stokes was warming the bench in the opening matches? . Skipper Jos Buttler ( 27), Harry Brook ( 30), David Willey ( 15). England putting on an imposing 337/ 9 in their 50 overs.
Pakistan bowling was taken to the cleaners . Shaheen Afridi 2/ 72 ( 10 overs), Haris Rauf 3/ 64 ( 10 overs), Iftikhar Ahmed 1/ 38 ( 7 overs), Mohammad Wasim Jr 2/ 74 ( 10 overs), Shadab Khan 0/ 57 ( 10 overs), Agha Salman 0/ 25 ( 3 overs)
In reply Pakistan already out of the semis as England batted first tried hard but the target was simply too stiff. The openers fell early – Abdullah Shafique ( 0) and in-from Fakhar Zaman ( 1). Skipper Babar Azam ( 38), Mohammad Rizwan ( 36), Saud Shakeel ( 29), Agha Salman ( 51) got starts but could not carry on. Towards the end Shaheen Afridi ( 26), Mohammad Wasim Jr not out 16, and Haris Rauf ( 36) added some valuable runs but was not enough. Pakistan were bolwed out for 244 in 43. 3 overs. England winning by 93 runs
England bowling was sharp with David Willey 3/ 56 ( 10 overs), Chris Woakes 1/ 27 ( 5. 3 overs), Adil Rashid 2/ 55 ( 10 overs), Gus Atkinson 2/45 ( 8 overs), Moeen Ali 2/ 160 ( 10 overs)
Match: World Cup 2023, 44th Match
Venue: Kolkata | Date: November 11, 2023
