Pakistan find winning rhythm after beating dismal Bangladesh
Fakhar Zaman made 81 off 74
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Mahmudullah Riyad: The last of Bangladesh’s ‘Big Five’ calls it a day
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Bangladesh faced another defeat in the ongoing World Cup as Pakistan found winning rhythm with a seven-wicket victory at Eden Gardens, Kolkata Tuesday.
This failure ensured that Bangladesh are no longer in contention for a top-four finish.
Pakistan’s openers, Fakhar Zaman, who replaced Imam-ul-Haq in the XI, and Abdullah Shafique made a 128-run partnership to chase down a small target of 205.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz broke the partnership with plumbing Shafique, when he tried to sweep a delivery after his 67-ball 68.
Miraz then sent back both captain Babar Azam (9) and Fakhar, who scored a firing 81 off 74 with seven sixes.
In-form wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan (26) and Iftikhar Ahmed (17) carried Pakistan to victory in 32.3 overs.
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Earlier, Mahmudullah Riyad hit a cautious half-century to help Bangladesh set 205 runs as Shaheen Afridi celebrated 100 ODI wickets for Pakistan.
Bangladesh found themselves in a spot of bother after electing to bat first. Shaheen Afridi took two quick wickets in successive overs to remove Tanzid Hasan Tamim (0) and Nazmul Hossain Shanto (4).
Shaheen completed his 100 ODI wickets trapping Tanzid for an LBW and returned off-form Shanto in his second over with a catch to Usama Mir at square leg.
Mushfiqur, who was shifted up the batting order failed to face the initial pressure and left the field getting caught behind off Haris Rauf.
From 23-3, Litton Das and Mahmdullah Riyad took charge of the game and added a 79-run partnership for the fourth wicket, aiding the side to cross the 100-run mark.
Litton had to depart on 46 as Ifthikar gave the breakthrough when the right-handed batter flicked the ball only to land in the hand of Usama.
Shakib al Hasan and Mahmudullah tried to stitch a good partnership until Shaheen struck for his third. Mahmudullah’s 70-ball 56 innings came to an end with Shaheen getting the middle stump.
Bangladesh captain Shakib fell short of seven runs to hit a half-century as he was picked up by Haris to break the 45-run partnership with Miraz.
Following the dismissal of the skipper, Bangladesh never could turn around and lost wickets in quick succession while Miraz brief 25-run innings.
Wasim Jr and Afridi shared six wickets together and Haris picked up a couple of wickets.
