A century by Imam-Ul-Haq and a six-wicket haul by Shaheen Afridi helped Pakistan seal a 94-run win over Bangladesh in the ICC World Cup 2019 match at Lord’s on Friday.
Pakistan bowed out of the World Cup by missing out on the semi-final stage of the Tournament, with New Zealand piping them to the post.
With an unenviable position to pull off a impossible task, Pakistan scored 315 for nine in 50 overs. Pakistan needed to put on board a total no less than 450-plus to stand a chance.
Imam-ul-Haq shines
Pakistan, batting first after winning the toss, lost Fakhar Zaman (13) early (23 for one in 7.2 overs). Imam-ul-Haq 100 (100b,7×4) and Babar Azam 96 (98b,11×4) batted freely and consolidated the innings for Pakistan by adding 157-runs for the second wicket.
After the fall of Babar Azam to Mohammad Saifuddin (180 for two), Imam-ul-Haq added 86-runs for the third wicket with Md. Hafeez 27 (25b,3×4). Imad Wasim 43 (26b,6×4,1×6) was the other useful contributor.
Pak ended up scoring 315 for nine in 50 overs. Left-arm medium-pacer Mustafizur Rahman impressed for Bangladesh by taking five for 75. Saifuddin (three for 77) lent him good support.
Bangladesh falter
Bangladesh, needing 316 runs to win, started badly losing Soumya Sarkar (22) early (26 for one in 5.5 overs). Tamim Iqbal (8) and Rahim (16) departed soon and Bangladesh were struggling at 48 for three in 17.2 overs.
Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan (64,77b,6×4) scored his seventh half-century of the tournament equalling Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 2003, before slashing wildly at a ball from Shaheen Afridi and being caught out behind for 64. Shakib became the highest scoring batsman of the tournament with 606-runs.
Shakib and Liton Das (32 (40b,3×4) added 88-runs for the fourth wicket. Wickets fell at regular intervals with Mahmudullah (29) and Mosaddek Hossain (16) being the other contributors. Teenage fast bowler Shaheen Afridi took six wickets for 35 runs and spelt doom to the aspirations of the Bangladesh batsman.
The 19-year-old became the youngest bowler to take six wickets in the tournament. Bangladesh were bowled out for 221 in 44.1 overs.
Brief Scores
Pakistan: 315 for 9 in 50 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 100, Babar Azam 96, Imad Wasim 43, Hafeez 27, Mustafizur Rahman 5 for 75, Saifuddin 3 for 77) bt Bangladesh: 221 in 44.1 overs (Shakib Al Hasan 64, Liton Das 32, Mahmudullah 29, Soumya Sarkar 22, Shaheen Afridi 6 for 35, Shadab Khan 2 for 59); Player of the Match: Shaheen Afridi.
This post was published on July 6, 2019 6:10 pm