World Cup 2023: Pakistan defeats Bangladesh by seven wickets, semi-final hopes still alive

In the 31st match of the ICC ODI World Cup, Pakistan defeated Bangladesh easily by seven wickets and entered the race to reach the semi-finals.

In the match played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and decided to bat first. Opener Tanzid Hasan was promptly dismissed by Shaheen Afraid for zero in the first over, later Najamul Hussain Shanto was also dismissed by Shaheen after scoring only four runs.

Haris Rauf sent Mushfiqur Rahim back to the pavilion, while Iftikhar Ahmed guided Latin Das to the pavilion after he scored 45 runs. Mahmudullah, who scored 56 runs for Bangladesh, was also dismissed by Shaheen. Captain Shakib Al Hasan scored 43, Tawheed seven, Mehidi Hasan 25, Taskin Ahmed six, and Mustafizur Rahman three. The entire Bangladesh team was bowled out for 204 runs in 45.1 overs.

On behalf of Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Wasim took three wickets each, while Haris Rauf took two wickets, and Iftikhar Ahmed and Usama Mir took one wicket each.

Chasing Bangladesh’s target of 205 runs, Pakistan got off to a good start, with openers Abdullah Shafiq and Fakhar Zaman putting on a brilliant 128-run partnership. However, Abdullah then got out after scoring 68 runs off 69 balls. Fakhar Zaman got out with after putting up a brilliant 81 runs off 74 balls, his innings included 7 sixes and 3 fours.

Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed remained unbeaten by scoring 26 runs and 17 runs on behalf of Pakistan, the green shirts easily achieving the required target in 32.3 overs.

Bangladesh’s Mehdi Hasan dismissed three players. Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman was named player of the match for his brilliant batting.

Cricket World Cup standings after Tuesday’s match (played, won, lost, tied, no result, points, net run rate):

India 6 6 0 0 0 12 1.405

South Africa 6 5 1 0 0 10 2.032

New Zealand 6 4 2 0 0 8 1.232

Australia 6 4 2 0 0 8 0.970

Pakistan 7 3 4 0 0 6 -0.024

Afghanistan 6 3 3 0 0 6 -0.718

Sri Lanka 6 2 4 0 0 4 -0.275

Netherlands 6 2 4 0 0 4 -1.277

Bangladesh 7 1 6 0 0 2 -1.446

England 6 1 5 0 0 2 -1.652

Note: Top four teams qualify for the semi-finals