CWC 2019 Flashback – Pakistan walk away with a consolation win over Bangladesh
The comparisons of Pakistan’s current World Cup campaign with the 1992 World Cup ended with this game. The team did defeat Bangladesh in their last league game by 94 runs at the Lord’s but their journey came to a close here. New Zealand pipped them to the fourth spot thanks to their superior net run rate. Yet, the Pakistani side had a lot to smile for today.
Faced with the impossible task of defeating Bangladesh by a margin of 300-plus runs, Sarfaraz Ahmed prioritised a win over getting into the semi-final. Defending 316 runs, the Pakistani bowlers ran through the Bangladeshi batting lineup with their express pace. Shaheen Afridi was the star of the night with a superb spell of 6/35. Imam-ul-Haq (100) and Babar Azam (96) were spectacular with the bat.
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Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq – Knights in the shining armour
Choosing to bat first, Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman early. Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq assumed the mantle of the innings. After getting two reprieves in the 60s, Azam did not give another opportunity to Bangladesh until he was trapped in front of the stumps on 96. He also went past Javed Miandad’s tally of 437 runs to become the highest run-getter for Pakistan in a World Cup.
Imam celebrated his seventh ODI century which he brought up in just 99 balls. Unfortunately, he stepped on his stumps on the very next ball and was out hit wicket.
Spinners and Mustafizur keep Bangladesh alive in the contest
At 246/2 in the 42nd over, Pakistan were well poised to press the accelerator. However, Imam’s dismissal brought a windfall of wickets. Mustafizur Rehman and Mohammad Saifuddin displayed their skills in the death overs. Earlier, Mehidy Hasan had completed a miserly spell of 30/1 in 10 overs on the slow Lord’s track. Together the bowlers were on course to stop Pakistan well under 300.
Matchwinner of the last game, Imad Wasim, came out swinging hard at the Bangla bowlers. His furious knock of 43 from 26 balls helped Pakistan cross the mark of 300 runs. They eventually posted 314/9 in their first innings.
Shakib continues his stellar form
Bangladesh’s superstar stood firm in another game. The left-hander scored his seventh half-century in eight World Cup matches. His lowest score in the tournament was 41. In the course of his knock of 64, Shakib became the leading run-getter of the tournament. He also became the third cricketer to score more than 600 runs in a single World Cup. Not to forget, Shakib had also taken 11 wickets.
Shaheen Afridi runs through Bangladesh
Pakistani pace bowlers had taken the top four Bangladeshi wickets but the chasing side was in the game till Shakib was at the crease. It was the young sensation, Shaheen Afridi, who sent him back and turned the game Pakistan’s way. Later, he dismissed Saifuddin and Mahmudullah in a single over to end Bangladesh’s hopes. He sent a searing yorker to clean up Mahmudullah’s stumps. The 19-year old wrapped up the game with another stunning yorker to register a six-wicket haul.
