CWC 2023, Pakistan vs Bangladesh: Shaheen Shah Afridi’s 3-23, Harish Rauf’s 2-36 and Abdullah Shafique-Fakhar Zaman’s 128-run stand are top performances. Pakistan beat Bangladesh and climb to 5th place in points table.
Brief Score – Pakistan – 205/3 (F. Zaman 81, A Shafique – 68, M. Hasan – 3/60) beat Bangladesh – 204 (Mahmudullah 56, Litton Das 45, Shaheen Afridi 3/23) by 7 wickets.
Player of the match – Fakhar Zaman (81 off 74)
Pakistan secured a clinical win over Bangladesh, winning their third match in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. After four defeats in six games, Pakistan needed to win the match against Bangladesh to keep alive their slim hopes of making the semi-finals. On the other hand, Bangladesh did not have a very good tournament so far. They have lost five of their six matches, winning just the first game.
Pakistan’s World Cup campaign has fallen apart since their match against India. They need to win every match now and hope that other results also go their way to have any chance of reaching the knockout stages. However, Bangladesh’s chances of reaching the knockout stage from here is impossible.
Bangladesh and Pakistan have faced each other two times in ODI World Cup history, with both sides winning one match each.
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Talking Point from Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Kolkata, CWC 2023
Pakistan bowling unit, getting the form back, performed as expected
Pakistan’s bowling unit is one of the best bowling units worldwide, but their bowlers were out of form in this edition of the World Cup. The bowlers struggled seriously in the last few matches as a result, they lost four matches in a row. Finally, the Pakistan bowlers got a positive start and are confident as they are back in form. They produced an amazing show with the ball today as they all-out Bangladesh on 204 runs. Pakistan’s strength lies in their fast bowling department, and their pacers again proved it with a brilliant bowling performance. In the last match, also they had a decent outing but ended up losing the match. Being one of the best bowling sides, the Pakistan bowling line-up displayed a performance that is expected out of them. This performance will boost their morale in the tournament, where every match from now onwards is very important for the Pakistan team.
Pakistan’s pace battery bowled Bangladesh on 204
Bangladesh won the toss and batted first against Pakistan at the Eden Gardens. The Pakistan side got an early boost with pacer Shaheen Afridi taking his 100th ODI wicket in the first over. Bangladesh didn’t get the start as expected, and they lost 3 early wickets, putting them in a serious situation. Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf provided Pakistan with early breakthroughs. Bangladesh batters Litton Das and Mahmudullah tried to control the game and produced some fight with their 79-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Mahmudullah, who is in brilliant form for the last few matches, hit his 28th ODI half-century. Bangladesh again got in trouble as they lost wickets at regular intervals after losing both the set batters. Skipper Shakib and Mahidy Hasan Miraz put on another rescue act but couldn’t continue for long. Pakistan showcased a dominant display in the first innings, demonstrating their mastery. Their pacers were amazing as they took 8 wickets between them, getting Bangladesh all-out on 204 runs.
Pakistan got a perfect start in the second innings with their new opening pair. The batters looked in control from the start of the innings, hitting some powerful shots. The Bangladesh bowlers struggled as they failed to pick early wickets. Besides Hasan, no bowler was able to pick a single wicket. Bangladesh’s bowling department has led them down since the start of the tournament. An all-round performance from the Pakistan team knocked Bangladesh out of the World Cup semi-final race.
Top three performances from Pakistan vs Bangladesh game in CWC 2023
Shaheen Afridi’s marvelous bowling performance troubled Bangladesh batters
Pakistan were brilliant as a bowling unit against Bangladesh. The best bowling performance came from their star pacer, Shaheen Shah Afridi. He bowled a sensational opening spell, getting Pakistan off to a flying start. He also reached the massive feat of 100 wickets in the first over after getting Tanzid Hasan dismissed. Afridi was particularly exceptional, bowling good lengths and troubling the Bangladesh batters. He delivered a fantastic bowling performance with three wickets, including the important wicket of Mahmudullah, who was looking in good touch.
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Haris Rauf disrupts Bangladesh’s batting line-up
Haris Rauf was the other pick of Pakistan bowlers against Bangladesh. He, alongside Shaheen Afridi & Wasim, helped their side to limit Bangladesh to 204. It has been a good comeback for Rauf, who has been very expensive at this edition of the World Cup. He took the very important wicket of the Bangladesh Skipper Shakib-Al-Hasan, who was controlling his side. He also sent back Mushfiqur Rahim. Finally, after a few poor outings, the Pakistan bowlers produced the performance that was expected from them.
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Shafique & Fakhar Zaman gave Pakistan a powerful start
A new opening pair of Abdullah Shafique & Fakhar Zaman gave Pakistan a strong start while chasing a modest total. Both the openers were in fine form and batted magnificently to reach their half-centuries. Veteran Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman had a dream outing in the World Cup as he scored a brilliant 81 runs. He, alongside Shafique, produced a sensational 128-run partnership against Bangladesh. Their partnership led Pakistan to a comfortable win, keeping their knock-out hope slightly alive.
Statistical Highlights from Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Kolkata, CWC 2023
- Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi reached the landmark of 100 wickets in ODI cricket.
- Afridi became the third-fastest bowler (51 matches) to reach the 100 wickets mark in ODI cricket.
- He also became the fastest to reach this milestone amongst Pakistan bowlers, overtaking Saqlain Mushtaq, who reached this feat in 53 matches.
- The opening stand of 128 runs between Abdullah Shafique & Fakhar Zaman is Pakistan’s third-highest opening partnership against Bangladesh in ODIs.
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ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Points Table
Points Table Scenario & What’s Next
With their third tournament win, Pakistan moved to fifth position on the points table with six points, whereas Bangladesh is in ninth position with just two points. New Zealand will take South Africa in the next match of the CWC 2023 on November 01 at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
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