Cricket World Cup 2023: Pakistan Knock Out Bangladesh With Seven-Wicket Win

Opener Fakhar Zaman capped his return with an attacking fifty after Shaheen Shah Afridi's fiery spell as Pakistan knocked Bangladesh out of the Cricket World Cup 2023 with a seven-wicket win to keep their slim semifinal hopes alive in Kolkata on Tuesday. Shaheen spearheaded their three-pronged pace attack with splendid figures of 9-1-23-3 as Pakistan bundled out Bangladesh for a lowly 204 in 45.1 overs. Fakhar, who missed five of their six matches because of a knee injury, smashed seven sixes and three fours in his 74-ball 81. Abdullah Shafique also struck a quick 68 off 69 balls (9x4, 2x6) as the new-look opening pair laid the foundation with an imposing 128-run alliance.

Just when it looked like a one-way traffic for Pakistan, off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz (3/60) took both the openers but with no scoreboard pressure Pakistan knocked off the paltry 205-run target in 32.3 overs.

This was Bangladesh's sixth loss on the trot as the Shakib Al Hasan-led side became the first team to be officially eliminated from the 10-team global showpiece with two matches in hand.

They next play Sri Lanka and Australia in their last two matches.

Having returned to winning ways after enduring four defeats, Pakistan with three wins from seven matches kept their faint semifinal hopes alive. They next take on New Zealand before concluding their league campaign against England.

Pakistan's new left-right handed opening duo started off with utmost caution, conceding two maiden off Bangladesh's new ball bowlers Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed in first three overs.

But that was it, as the Pakistani duo soon started milking the attack and raced to 52 for no loss inside the powerplay.

The duo soon switched gears with Zaman smoking Taskin Ahmed over