Pakistan survives; Bangladesh is eliminated. The endgame picture is that. It was lopsided from the outset. Watch tomorrow for another thrilling matchup between New Zealand and South Africa.
Pakistan still adores Eden Gardens.
Pakistan has now participated in seven matches at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, winning six of them. I don’t know the secret to their success here (perhaps it’s the Park Street biryani they reportedly denied their hotel food for, or perhaps it’s not), but it’s clear that this venue has been a happy hunting ground for them for decades and generations! Their only loss on this field occurred in the 1997 Independence Cup against Sri Lanka.
A huge victory for Pakistan against Bangladesh!
At the Eden Gardens, Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique laid the groundwork for Pakistan’s resounding victory. Bangladesh’s prospects of securing a Champions Trophy spot, which is all they have left to play for, were crushed by the Pakistan bowlers and then by the two openers.
Obviously, this seven-wicket victory has kept Pakistan’s chances of making the semifinals alive.
Fakhar and Shafique began cautiously before gradually ramping up the pace. Both batsmen scored remarkable half-centuries during the opening stand, which totaled 128 runs.
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Mehidy removed Pakistan’s top three batsmen, but by the time he had an impact with the ball, Pakistan had already taken command.
In his return match, Fakhar scored 81 off 74 balls with seven sixes and three fours. Shafique’s 68-ball tally included two sixes and nine fours.
Obviously, the bowling unit was initially responsible for the victory. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf initiated Bangladesh’s decline before Iftikhar Ahmed and Usama Mir took two wickets each. Shaheen and Rauf returned to take crucial wickets before Wasim ran through the tail.
Fakhar’s sixty-pound hit:
Only Imran Nazir has struck more sixes for Pakistan in an ODI World Cup game than Fakhar Zaman. Fakhar became only the second Pakistani batter in ODI World Cup history to smash five or more sixes.
He falls short of his century, holing out at cow corner to give Mehidy his third wicket, but his innings are of the highest caliber, making this pursuit as simple as possible.
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