Pacies and Fakhar Zaman ensure comprehensive win for Pakistan

Bangladesh’s captain Shakib Al Hasan (C) reacts at the end of the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) match between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on 31 October  2023 – AFP

 Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman 

KOLKATA: Fakhar Zaman smashed seven sixes and three fours in his return to form knock of 81 off 74 balls to steer Pakistan to a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Bangladesh at Eden Gardens, Kolkata Tuesday and improve their net run rate vastly in the ongoing Cricket World Cup.

After Bangladesh was bowled out for 205, Pakistan openers Fakhar and Abdullah Shafique ensured the chase would be a cakewalk by posting a partnership of 128. Shafique notched up his fourth fifty plus score of the tournament – 68 off 69 balls (9 fours, 2 sixes). Pakistan lost three wickets, all to Mehidy Hasan in their quest to up the run rate and won with 17.3 overs to spare. It was the fourth time they have won a men’s ODI World Cup game with over 100 balls to spare.

Shaheen Afridi (3/23), Mohammad Wasim Jr (3/31) and Haris Rauf (2/36) produced a spellbinding bowling display to bowl Bangladesh out for a low score of 204. Opting to bat, Bangladesh only had four batters getting into double digits and none of them converted their starts into a substantial score. Wickets kept falling at regular intervals barring one partnership and Pakistan’s pacers extracted reverse swing at the back end to mop up the innings with 29 deliveries remaining. Shaheen Afridi struck twice early in the innings and went past 100 ODI wickets. Haris Rauf dealt the big blow when he dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim and at 23/3, Bangladesh was tottering. However, Mahmudullah promoted to no.5 combined for a 79-run stand with Litton Das. Once that partnership was broken, the run flow reduced significantly and Pakistan were relentless as they produced a complete bowling performance. – (ST)

Scores: Bangladesh 204 (45.1) (Litton Das 45, Mahmudullah 56, Shakib Al Hasan 43, Mehidy Hasan 25, Shaheen Afridi 3/23, Haris Rauf 2/36, Mohammad Wasim 3/31)

Pakistan 205-3 (32.3) (Abdullah Shafique 68, Fakhar Zaman 81, Mohammad Rizwan 26*, Mehidy Hasan 3/60)