In the heart of Kolkata, at the iconic Eden Gardens, a cricketing spectacle unfolded that left fans on the edge of their seats. The match featured Pakistan and Bangladesh, and as the dust settled, Pakistan emerged victorious, while Bangladesh bowed out of the tournament. This one-sided affair displayed Pakistan’s dominance right from the start, leaving us with a memorable match to dissect.
Pakistan’s Enigmatic Affair with Eden Gardens
Eden Gardens in Kolkata holds a special place in Pakistan’s cricketing history. In seven matches played here, they’ve triumphed in six, leaving fans to wonder if there’s a secret recipe behind their success at this venue. Some speculate it could be the famed Park Street biryani that the team reportedly preferred over hotel food. Nevertheless, the fact remains that Eden Gardens has been a fortress for Pakistan, with their sole defeat at this venue dating back to the 1997 Independence Cup against Sri Lanka.
A Convincing Rout
The match was a masterclass in cricketing excellence, with Pakistan chasing down the target with remarkable ease. Their victory against Bangladesh, with a staggering 105 balls remaining, is a feat achieved only three times in their World Cup history. Two of these instances were against Canada in 1979 and the Netherlands in 1996.
A Resounding Win for Pakistan!
Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique set the stage for a resounding Pakistan victory at the historic Eden Gardens. Bangladesh felt the full brunt of Pakistan’s formidable bowling attack and an unstoppable opening partnership. Pakistan has now rekindled their hopes of a semi-finals berth with this dominant seven-wicket victory.
Fakhar and Shafique embarked on their innings cautiously, gradually upping the tempo and crafting a formidable partnership of 128 runs. Both batsmen notched impressive half-centuries. Fakhar, returning to international cricket in style, amassed 81 runs from 74 balls, with seven colossal sixes and three exquisite fours. Shafique played a vital role with 68 runs from 69 balls, featuring two mighty sixes and nine elegant fours. While Mehidy Hasan Miraz did manage to dismiss Pakistan’s top three, it was a case of too little, too late for Bangladesh to regain control of the match.
The foundation for Pakistan’s triumph was laid by their bowling unit. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf initiated Bangladesh’s collapse, and Iftikhar Ahmed and Usama Mir contributed with crucial wickets. Shaheen and Rauf returned to capture pivotal scalps, while Shadab Khan’s all-around brilliance sealed the deal for Pakistan.
Fakhar’s Six-Filled Knock
Fakhar Zaman’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. He launched a barrage of sixes, accumulating a total of seven in his innings. Only Imran Nazir has hit more sixes than Fakhar Zaman in an ODI World Cup game. Fakhar became the second Pakistani batsman to hit five or more sixes in a World Cup match. Although he narrowly missed out on a century, falling in the deep to give Mehidy his third wicket, his innings showcased the highest quality.
Mehidy’s Impact
Mehidy Hasan Miraz made a significant impact for Bangladesh, taking crucial wickets. He dismissed Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, who has been struggling in this World Cup. Babar’s tournament average remains underwhelming, and his attempt to take on Mehidy resulted in a catch at long-on.
The Fakhar Zaman Comeback
Fakhar Zaman’s comeback had been eagerly anticipated, and he did not disappoint. His performance served as a testament to his prowess as an opening batsman, setting the tone for Pakistan’s commanding victory.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s enduring love affair with Eden Gardens continues, and they leave this historic venue with yet another memorable victory. This match served as a stark reminder of the cricketing excellence witnessed in the World Cup, with Pakistan emerging as the dominant force.
As we wrap up this live report, we eagerly await more enthralling clashes in the ICC World Cup 2023. Stay tuned for further captivating cricket action!