(Cricket News) Pakistan finally ended their losing streak in this World Cup as they beat Bangladesh by 7 wickets, keeping their qualification hopes alive. The men in green stand in the fifth position of the points table with 6 points and a Net Run Rate of -0.024. To qualify for the semis, Pakistan needs to win their remaining matches against New Zealand and England, and they also need a few results to go their way, which is not in their control.
Bangladesh won the toss and decided to bat first, and this decision turned out to be a poor one as Bangladesh lost a wicket in the very first over, with Shaheen Afridi dismissing Tanzid Hasan for a duck. Later, a wicket fell on the third over, with Afridi dismissing Najmul Hossain Shanto. The third wicket fell in the fifth over, with Haris Rauf dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim. Bangladesh were 37-3 after 10 overs.
After the top order collapse, Litton Das and Mahmudulah stitched together a 100+ run partnership as they found frequent boundaries and rotated strike. Litton Das scored a handy 45, and Mahmudullah scored a fifty. The Bangladesh skipper also joined the party, scoring a valuable 43. Other than these three batsmen, no one else contributed with the bat. Mohammad Wasim Jr. ran through Bangladesh’s tail as Bangladesh were all out for 204 in 45 overs.
End of first innings: Pakistan 204-10; Mahmudullah 56 (70); Litton Das 45 (64); Shaheen Afridi 9-23-1-3; Mohammad Wasim Jr’ 8.1-31-1-3.
Pakistan started their chase with a bang as the returning Fakhar Zaman started smashing sixes for fun. Abdullah Shafique also joined in on the fun, scoring 68 of 69 deliveries. After 20 overs, Pakistan were 124-0. After the dismissal of the openers, Babar Azam came and went, scoring 9 of 16 deliveries. However, the target was already within reach due to the start given by the openers. Pakistan chased down the target in 32.3 overs as they beat Bangladesh by 7 wickets.
End of second innings: Pakistan 205-3; Fakhar Zaman 81 (74); Abdullah Shafique 68 (69); Mehidy Hasan Miraz 9-60-0-3.