Pakistan skipper Babar Azam was delighted after their comprehensive win of seven wickets against Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Tuesday. Azam gave credit to the boys for the way they played in all three departments as they kept their semifinal hopes afloat.
Pakistan was able to skittle out Bangladesh for a below-par score of 204 runs. Shaheen Shah Afridi was able to strike early as he dismissed Tanzid Hasan for a blob in the very first over. Usama Mir then took a good catch to send back Najmul Hossain Shanto whereas Mushfiqur Rahim was also dismissed by Haris Rauf as Bangladesh was reduced to 23-3 after six overs.
In-form Mahmudullah and Litton Kumer Das added 79 runs for the fourth wicket but with latter’s dismissal, Bangladesh could not stitch crucial partnerships in the middle overs. Mahmudullah top-scored with 56 but Das and Shakib Al Hasan could not convert their promising starts.
Pakistan was right on the money with the ball with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Wasim Jr taking three wickets each. The Babar Azam-led team was able to chase down the score in 32.3 overs with Fakhar Azam, who made a return to the playing XI, scoring an impressive 81 off just 74 balls.
Abdullah Shafique continued to impress as he scored another fine innings of 68 runs from 69 balls. Pakistan openers 128 runs for the opening alliance to lay down the perfect foundation.
Babar Azam said in the post-match presentation, “All credit to the boys the way we played in all three departments. We know, if Fakhar bats for 20-30 overs, it’s a different ball game, he played his natural game. Good to see him.”
He added on the hopes of qualifying for the last four, “We are trying to win the next two matches, we’ll see where we stand. We started well, the way Shaheen started. After 15-20 overs, they built a partnership, our main bowlers picked wickets. We picked wickets in the middle overs. Thank you (fans) so much for the support.”
Pakistan will next take on New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Saturday.
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