Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets in the 31st match of the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India, on Wednesday and kept their semi-final hopes alive.
The important seven-wicket win, as Pakistan chased down a 205-run target in just 32.3 overs, helped them improve their net run rate (NRR) to an extent while also jumping to fifth position in the points table.
ICC World Cup 2023 points table after Pakistan beat Bangladesh
Pakistan's hope of qualifying for the semi-final of the World Cup relies heavily on New Zealand just as much as it is dependent on them.
In an ideal scenario, the Green Shirts require New Zealand to lose their remaining matches as they have eight points from six games. If the Black Caps lose their next three matches, they'd end the group stage with eight points, and Pakistan can qualify for the knockout stage with 10 points should they beat their next three opponents.
New Zealand play South Africa on November 1 in Pune, which is important for them while Pakistan play the Black Caps next on November 4.
Earlier today, Fakhar Zaman made his comeback after five matches and made sure that he makes the most of it as the left-handed batter scored 81 runs off 74 deliveries with three fours and seven sixes — with one of them being a 99-metre maximum.
Abdullah Shafique also scored 68 runs as he combined forces with Zaman to build a 128-run opening partnership that put the Green Shirts in a dominating position.
Batting first, Bangladesh met with Shaheen Afridi's first-over magic as Tanzid Hasan was removed for a duck in the first over by the left-handed pacer.
Problems continued for the Tigers as Najmul Hossain Shanto (4) and the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim (5) were removed by Afridi and Haris Rauf respectively in the next five overs, leaving Bangladesh at 23-3 in 6 overs.
However, Littos Das and Mahmudullah formed a 79-run partnership, helping their side to post crucial runs against the deadly pace attack of Pakistan.
However, Das lost his wicket to Iftikhar Ahmed as he was getting closer to his fifty. Mahmudullah followed his counterpart soon enough as he was bowled out by Afridi for 56 runs.
Skipper Shakib Al Hasan contributed 43 runs while Mehidy Hasan Miraz scored 25 but their efforts at the lower order were not enough to take their side to a completive total as the entire Bangladeshi team were all out for just 204 runs.