Pakistan needed an unrealistic massive win to qualify for World Cup 2023 semi-finals but they ended up conceding a comprehensive defeat at the hands of Jos Buttler-led England. In the run chase of 338 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Pakistan got bowled out for 244 and lost the match by 93 runs. England booked their place in Champions Trophy 2025 whereas Pakistan retained their fifth position on the points table.
After winning the toss, Buttler chose to bat first and erase the bleak chances of Pakistan qualifying for the last four. Shaheen Afridi dropped an easy chance off his bowling to dismiss Dawid Malan. Malan and Jonny Bairstow got England off to a flyer. In the 14th over, off-spinner Iftikhar Ahmed broke the partnership with the wicket of Malan. He scored 31 runs from 39 balls including five fours. In the 16th over, Bairstow got to his half-century from 52 balls.
Haris Rauf after an expensive spell with the new ball was brought back into the attack and he dismissed Bairstow. He scored 59 runs from 61 balls including seven fours and a six. Afridi dropped another catch. Ben Stokes got an early reprieve when he was batting on 10. Stokes rubbed salt on Afridi's wounds with three boundaries in the next over. Stokes reached his half-century from 54 balls. Stokes went on a rampage after getting to his fifty. Meanwhile, Root scored his half-century from 65 balls.
Afridi had his revenge in the 41st over. Stokes got bowled for a 76-ball 84 featuring 11 fours and a couple of sixes. In his next over, Afridi dismissed Root with a slower ball. He scored 60 runs from 72 balls including four fours. Buttler and Harry Brook went ballistic in the slog overs. Brook smashed two sixes and as many fours in his 17-ball 30. In the 48th over, Buttler got run out for an 18-ball 27. In the penultimate over, Moeen Ali got bowled by Rauf. David Willey hit Wasim Jr for two fours and a six before getting out. Gus Atkinson got bowled for a golden duck. England posted a total of 337/9.
After a cameo, Willey pushed Pakistan on the back foot by trapping Abdullah Shafique in front of the wickets on the second ball he bowled. Skipper Babar started off with two fours. In his next over, Willey got the prized wicket of Fakhar Zaman as Pakistan were reduced to 10/2 in the third over. Atkinson in his second over got the wicket of Babar who could not control the Englishman's pace. He scored 38 runs from 45 balls including six fours. Mohammad Rizwan got bowled by Ali in a comical manner as he went down the track and fell. He scored 36 runs from 51 balls.
Saud Shakeel could not make use of the opportunity. He got bowled by Adil Rashid for a 37-ball 29. Pakistan lost half their side for 126 in 28 overs. Ali struck again as Iftikhar Ahmed handed an easy catch to Malan. Rashid then got the wicket of Shadab who got bowled by a brilliant googly. Afridi got off the mark with a six. Salman switched gears and got to his half-century from 42 balls. Willey came back into the attack and got the wicket of Salman. He scored 51 runs from 45 balls including six fours and a six. Atkinson was brought back into the wicket and dismissed Afridi lbw. He scored 25 runs from 23 balls. Rauf entertained the crowd with three sixes off Atkinson. He frustrated the English bowlers for a few more overs but Chris Woakes got his wicket in the 44th over to wrap up the proceedings. Rauf's 23-ball 35 included three fours and as many sixes. Wasim Jr remained not out for 16 as Pakistan were bowled out for 244 and lost the match by 93 runs.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
Gautam Gambhir reacts on India's 'Fielder of the Match' medal ceremony in World Cup 2023, says 'These traditions...'
Gautam Gambhir gives final verdict on India's chances of winning World Cup 2023 title, says 'If Rohit Sharma had...'
