KOLKATA: England secured an impressive 93-run victory over Pakistan in their final group match at Kolkata’s Edens Gardens on Saturday, resulting in the Green Shirts exiting the tournament.
In the chase of a daunting 338-run target, the team led by Babar Azam faced challenges from the outset, losing wickets at crucial junctures and eventually being bowled out for 244 runs in the 44th over.
During the second innings, the Green Shirts encountered early setbacks as openers Abdullah Shafique and Fakhar Zaman were dismissed by David Willey within the first three overs, leaving the team at 10-2 in 2.4 overs.
Although skipper Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan provided some stability, both were dismissed after 22.3 overs, with Pakistan at four down for 100 runs.
Salman Ali Agha emerged as the top-scorer for the struggling Pakistani side, contributing 51 runs. Shaheen Shah Afridi added 26 runs down the batting order.
In the late stages of the innings, Haris Rauf and Wasim showcased some power-hitting, contributing 53 runs. However, their efforts fell short of the substantial target set by the English batters.
England Batting Against Pakistan
Earlier in the first innings, Ben Stokes played an impressive 84-run innings in what is likely his final one-day international (ODI), contributing to England’s total of 337-9 against Pakistan in their last group match of the ICC World Cup.
Stokes, who had a stroke of luck after being dropped on 10 by Shaheen Shah Afridi off his own bowling, played a dynamic 76-ball innings. Joe Root also made a valuable contribution with a 72-ball 60 after England won the toss and opted to bat.
Jos Buttler’s decision to bat, having won the toss, essentially eliminated Pakistan from the semifinal race. To surpass New Zealand in the standings on net run-rate, Pakistan needed to beat England by 287 runs if they had batted first.
Stokes and Root capitalized on a strong opening partnership of 82 between Jonny Bairstow (59) and Dawid Malan (31), exploiting a slow Eden Gardens pitch and some erratic bowling.
Bairstow, with seven boundaries and a six in his 61-ball knock, achieved his second fifty in an otherwise lackluster tournament. Malan was the first to depart, miscuing a reverse sweep off-spinner Iftikhar Ahmed, while Bairstow was caught in the covers off Haris Rauf, who proved to be Pakistan’s most successful bowler with figures of 3-64.
Stokes, who returned from ODI retirement for the World Cup, showcased his prowess with 11 boundaries and two sixes before being yorked by Shaheen in the 41st over.
Root, securing his third half-century of the World Cup, hit four boundaries but was caught off a leading edge against Shaheen, who finished with 2-72.
Harry Brook contributed 30, featuring two sixes and as many fours, while Buttler added 27 with a six and three boundaries. The pair’s quick 45-run partnership allowed England to score 97 runs in the last ten overs.
With Pakistan virtually out of contention, New Zealand is set to be the fourth team in the semifinals and will face the undefeated India. The other semifinal will see Australia take on South Africa.
