Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Afridi keep Pakistan's slim World Cup hopes alive

31.10.2023 - 18:41 thenationalnews.com

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman returned to form with a sizzling 81 to help secure a comfortable seven-wicket win over Bangladesh in their World Cup clash in Kolkata on Tuesday, which kept their slim semi-final hopes alive.

Pakistan chased down a below-par target of 205 in 32.3 overs, for their third win following four straight defeats. The result moved them up to fifth in the points table but with the top four teams – India, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia – all enjoying vastly superior net run rate, Pakistan still have a very low chance of squeezing into the last four.

Earlier in the day, pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi was on fire on a sluggish surface to help limit Bangladesh to 204 all out.

Afridi (3-23) gave the perfect start to Pakistan, trapping Tanzid Hasan lbw in the first over for his 100th wicket in ODIs. He became the quickest fast bowler to the mark in one-dayers, breaking the record held by Australia pacer Mitchell Starc.

Pakistan Cricket cricket world cup 2023 cup Shaheen Afridi Shakib Al-Hasan Haris Rauf Australia South Africa New Zealand India Bangladesh Pakistan county Mitchell

Babar Azam's captaincy and Pakistan cricket team's poor show in Cricket World Cup 2023 has come under lot of scrunity. Pakistan failed to qualify for the semifinals of the tournament after finishing fifth in the points table, which led to several former cricketers demanding wholesale changes in the side, including the removal of Babar as skipper. The team, having stars like Babar, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, suffered losses against India, Australia, South Africa, England and a shock defeat at the hands of Afghanistan.

Kohli, Shami star as India beat New Zealand to reach World Cup final

MUMBAI: Virat Kohli scored a record-breaking 50th one-day international hundred and Mohammed Shami took seven wickets as India beat New Zealand by 70 runs to reach the Cricket World Cup final on Wednesday. Kohli made 117 to surpass the ODI century record he had shared with India great Sachin Tendulkar, and Shreyas Iyer clubbed a rapid 105 in a commanding total of 397-4. New Zealand were then dismissed for 327 despite Daryl Michell’s 134 with paceman Shami taking a sensational career-best 7-57. The Black Caps had hope of an improbable win during a third-wicket stand of 181 between captain Kane Williamson and Mitchell at the Wankhede Stadium Shami, however, all but ended the chase with two wickets in three balls during the 33rd over.

Babar Azam steps down as Pakistan captain after World Cup exit

:Babar Azam stepped down as Pakistan's cricket captain on Wednesday, days after a group stage exit from the World Cup.

Babar Azam Steps Down From Pakistan Cricket Team Captaincy After Cricket World Cup 2023 Debacle

Babar Azam has stepped down as Pakistan cricket team skipper following his team's disappointing run in the Cricket World Cup 2023. Pakistan lost five out of their nine matches and failed to qualify for the semifinals. Babar himself did not have a great outing in the tournament with 320 runs from 9 matches. The cricketer came under a lot of pressure from both experts and fans regarding his captaincy and his lack of form with the bat did not help matters. Currently, Shadab Khan was the vice-captain of Pakistan's World Cup team with Shaheen Afridi among the probable names to take over as the next skipper.

"Pakistan Team Was Too Soft...": Ex-India Star's Damning Cricket World Cup 2023 Verdict

Pakistan cricket team had a disappointing run in the Cricket World Cup 2023 and the Babar Azam-led side failed to qualify for the semifinals after losing five out of their nine group stage matches. A massive reason behind the capitulation was the lack of form shown by the Pakistan pacers and the bowling department as a whole. Former Indian cricket team star Mohammed Kaif took to social media and said that the Pakistan side was "too soft" and their pacers were "too nice" in this World Cup.