ICC World Cup 2023: Pakistan's Victory Over Bangladesh In Photos; Pacers And Openers In Spotlight

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Pakistan finally gained winning momentum and style on Tuesday (October 31) at the World Cup 2023 as they thumped Bangladesh by seven wickets at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Pacers Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim, and Haris Rauf picked wickets while Fakhar Zaman (81) and Abdullah Shafique (68) shone with the bat.

Bangladesh were all out for just 204 runs in match 31 of ICC World Cup 2023 while Pakistan chased down the target in 32.3 overs. Bangladesh are now knocked out of the semifinal run with two matches left to play while Pakistan keep themselves in the hunt.

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.

Earlier, Shaheen rattled the Bangladeshi top-order and became the fastest Pakistani to reach 100 ODI wickets. Mohammad Wasim Jr. then cleaned up the tail returning with figures of 8.1-1-31-3 as Bangladesh failed to last the distance yet again to be bowled out in 45.1 overs.

-With inputs from PTI