In the 31st match of the ODI World Cup 2023, Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 7 wickets at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Riding on an amazing bowling performance from Shaheen Afridi and Fakhar Zaman's half-century, Pakistan won the game with more than 17 overs in hand. This win also eliminated Bangladesh from the ongoing tournament.
Earlier, after winning the toss, Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan opted to bat first. The decision soon came to haunt them as Bangladesh lost three wickets for just 23 runs. Pacer Shaheen Afridi dismissed Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto for 0 and 4 runs, respectively. Soon, Haris Rauf dismissed wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim.
After their departure, Litton Das and Mahmudullah added 79 runs for the fourth wicket. Das, in his inning, scored 45 runs off 64 balls with the help of six boundaries. After that, Mahmudullah also threw his wicket after a good start. He scored 56 runs off 70 balls with the help of seven fours and a six. In the end, a crucial 43-run knock from skipper Shakib Al Hasan helped Bangladesh cross the 200-run mark. For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi took three wickets as they restricted the opposition to 204/10.
Fakhar Zaman made a blistering comeback in the World Cup
Chasing a below-par total, Pakistan got a flying start opener from Fakhar Zaman, and Abdullah Shafique added 128 runs for the first wicket. Shafique, in his innings, scored 68 runs off 69 balls with the help of nine fours and two sixes. Meanwhile, Fakhar scored 81 runs off 74 balls with the help of three fours and seven sixes.
In the end, crucial knocks from wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan (26) and Iftikhar Ahmed (17) helped Pakistan win the game. For Bangladesh, all three wickets were taken by all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz. It's worth noting that this victory ended Pakistan's four-match losing streak and gave them a ray of hope in the ongoing tournament.
Here is how fans reacted to Pakistan's victory:
So poor that they can't even beat Minnows Pakistan 😜
— Cricket & Everything (@C4CricTalk) October 31, 2023
Bangladesh 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/Pdw1kvWAJT
— Groot 🚩 (@IAmGrootX18) October 31, 2023
— Cricket Guruji (@CricketGuruji6) October 31, 2023
First team to get eliminated from the World Cup 2023
— Cricket & Everything (@C4CricTalk) October 31, 2023
Their issues come to haunt them
The worst set of performances by any team in the world cup so far. Except for the opening match against Afghanistan, forget winning, they haven't even competed. What a massive let down by a team that qualified automatically on count of their ODI ranking.
— Zucker Doctor (@DoctorLFC) October 31, 2023
Finally Pakistan have done something in the world cup apart from eating briyani
— Kirkett (@bhaskar_sanu08) October 31, 2023
@BCBtigers have been below par in their performance. Their fans want their team to do well. Better luck next time.#PAKvsBAN
— MRS. RAJALAXMI (@MrsRajalaxmi) October 31, 2023
Can't even beat Pakistan pic.twitter.com/eFdpmHdvCo
— Sameer Khanal (@Sameer_knl18) October 31, 2023
This team without Shakib 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/j5VWlDAqQD
— Useer45 (@140of113) October 31, 2023
Legend 💀😆 pic.twitter.com/ShlgTvxRWI
— CricLoverShanky (@CricLoverShanky) October 31, 2023
What a strong comeback by Pakistan. Whenever you think Pakistan is finish, they slap you with their outstanding performance. 👏🏻 💯
— Hamza Tariq (@_HamzaPro) October 31, 2023