This was Pakistan’s last match in the league round and they registered a convincing win of 94 runs over Bangladesh to end their world cup campaign on a high note. This win was the best thing that Sarfraj’s outfit could achieve from the encounter; the semifinal passage for them was virtually blocked well before taking to the field at Lords on Friday.
An improbable three hundred –plus- runs win was needed for Pakistan to make it to the semifinals.
As the match ended New Zealand got their semifinal berth confirmed. Australia, India, and England were the other three teams through to the top four.
Pakistan restricted Bangladesh at 211 runs- 94 runs before the target. Saheen Afridi eliminated 6 Bangla wickets just for 35 runs to inflict maximum damage. Afridi became the first bowler in this world cup to have a six-wicket haul.
Winning the toss Sarfraj let his batters to go first and they put 315 runs on the board; Imam-ul –Haq made a hundred ball – century to get his maiden ton in the world cup while Babbar Azam missed his second ton in the tournament by just 4 runs. Imad Wasim happened to be the other significant contributor; Riding his cameo- 43 of 26 balls towards the end Pakistan could hang 315 runs on the board otherwise the Bangladeshis had checked their advantage in the middle overs. Mustafizur claimed five wickets and Mohammad Saifuddin got three wickets.
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