Pakistan pacers put on a sensational display in Kolkata to restrict Bangladesh to 204 in the 2023 Cricket World Cup. Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim, and Haris Rauf all picked up three wickets each as the Bangladeshi batsmen struggled to cope with the pace and bounce. Mahmudullah (56) and Shakib Al Hasan (43) were the only two batsmen to offer any resistance, but Pakistan were relentless and eventually bowled Bangladesh out in the 48th over.
Innings Highlights
Shahee2n Afridi strikes early
Pakistan got off to a perfect start after Bangladesh opted to bat first. Shaheen Afridi, who has been in devastating form in this tournament, struck twice in the first over. He first bowled Liton Das with a peach of a delivery and then had Tamim Iqbal caught behind for a duck.
Bangladesh recover through Mahmudullah and Shakib
Bangladesh were in deep trouble at 2/10, but Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan put on a fighting partnership to revive the innings. The duo played cautiously at first, but gradually started to open up as the innings progressed. Mahmudullah reached his fifty off 74 balls, while Shakib took 68 balls to reach his half-century.
Pakistan pacers strike back
Just when it seemed like Bangladesh were getting back into the game, Pakistan pacers struck back to remove Mahmudullah and Shakib. Wasim trapped Mahmudullah lbw for 56, while Rauf had Shakib caught at mid-off for 43.
Bangladesh collapse
With the two senior batsmen gone, Bangladesh collapsed in a heap. They lost their last seven wickets for just 63 runs as Pakistan pacers ran riot. Afridi, Wasim, and Rauf all picked up wickets as Bangladesh were bowled out for 204 in the 48th over.
Pakistan bowling performance
Pakistan's bowling performance was simply outstanding in Kolkata. Afridi, Wasim, and Rauf all bowled with great pace and accuracy. They were also able to exploit the conditions well and extract bounce from the pitch.
Afridi was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for 23 runs. He bowled with great control and was able to trouble the Bangladeshi batsmen with his pace and bounce.
Wasim was also very impressive with three wickets for 31 runs. He was able to swing the ball both ways and also extract some good bounce from the pitch.
Rauf chipped in with two wickets for 36 runs. He bowled with great pace and was able to unsettle the Bangladeshi batsmen with his short-pitched deliveries.
Conclusion
Pakistan's bowling performance was one of the key factors in their victory over Bangladesh. Afridi, Wasim, and Rauf all bowled with great skill and discipline to restrict Bangladesh to a modest total. Pakistan's batsmen then chased down the target with ease to secure a comfortable victory.
Impact on the tournament
Pakistan's victory over Bangladesh was a significant one in the context of the tournament. It helped them to consolidate their position at the top of the table and also boosted their net run rate. Pakistan are now looking like one of the favorites to win the tournament.
Analysis
Pakistan's bowling performance in Kolkata was a testament to the quality of their pace attack. Afridi, Wasim, and Rauf are all world-class bowlers who can trouble any batting lineup in the world. They are also able to adapt to different conditions and pitches, which makes them even more dangerous.
Bangladesh's batsmen were simply outplayed by Pakistan's pacers in Kolkata. They struggled to cope with the pace and bounce, and were also unable to read the variations in the bowling. This is something that they will need to address if they want to challenge the top teams in the tournament.
Overall, Pakistan's victory over Bangladesh was a well-deserved one. Their bowlers were simply outstanding, and their batsmen did the job required. Pakistan are now looking like one of the favorites to win the tournament.
Additional Thoughts
Pakistan's bowling performance in Kolkata was particularly impressive considering the conditions. The pitch was flat and there was not much movement on offer. However, Pakistan's pacers were still able to generate
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