In the 31st match of the World Cup, Pakistan secured a comfortable victory against Bangladesh by seven wickets, rekindling hopes of their national team’s journey to the semi-finals.
Bangladesh had set a target of 205 runs for Pakistan to chase, which they accomplished in the 33rd over. Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique set the stage for the chase with an impressive opening partnership of 128 runs.
Abdullah Shafique played a crucial role in this partnership, scoring 68 runs, before being dismissed by Mehidy Hasan Miraz. He was followed by the team’s captain, Babar Azam, who managed to score nine runs before falling to Miraz’s delivery.
Fakhar Zaman, who was instrumental in the chase, contributed 81 runs before getting caught on a boundary in the 23rd over. His innings included seven boundaries and three sixes.
Pakistan’s third wicket fell at 169 runs when Fakhar Zaman was caught at mid-wicket by an opening batsman playing a delivery from the bowler. Fakhar Zaman played an exceptional inning, featuring seven boundaries and three sixes.
Muhammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed, with their partnership of 36 runs, ensured Pakistan’s victory. Rizwan scored 26 runs, while Iftikhar Ahmed contributed 17 runs to the total.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz was the standout performer for Bangladesh with the ball, claiming three crucial wickets during the match.
Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Shaheen Afridi and Muhammad Wasim, played a vital role in restricting Bangladesh to 205 runs. Shaheen Afridi secured two wickets in his first two overs, while Muhammad Wasim took three wickets.
Bangladesh’s innings was characterized by a constant loss of wickets, with Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, and Naim Sheikh being the top scorers. Miraz played an impressive inning, scoring 25 runs, but his effort couldn’t prevent the inevitable.
Pakistan’s solid performance in both batting and bowling secured a convincing win, reigniting their hopes of advancing to the World Cup semi-finals. The victory in this crucial match was the result of exceptional teamwork and individual brilliance.
With this victory, Pakistan has improved its position in the World Cup standings, and their upcoming matches against New Zealand and England will be crucial in determining their fate in the tournament.
