Pakistan vs Bangladesh Highlights, World Cup: Fakhar Zaman stars as PAK defeat BAN by seven wickets

PAK vs BAN match summary: Fakhar Zaman (81) and bowlers starred as Pakistan beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in a 2023 World Cup encounter in Kolkata on Tuesday.

Bangladesh’s decision to bat first after winning the toss backfired as they were bowled out for just 204 runs, with Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Wasim Jr picking three wickets each.

In reply, Fakhar and Abdullah Shafique (68) led the platform for the chase, before Mohammad Rizwan (26*) and Iftikhar Ahmed (17*) sealed the match with 17.3 overs to spare.

Preview: All but out of semifinal race, Pakistan would be desperate to snap their four-match losing streak and add some semblance of respect to their floundering campaign when they take on an equally struggling Bangladesh in their do-or-die World Cup match.

Pakistan have just four points in their kitty and they can add a maximum of six more to touch 10 by the end of league stage.

Three teams are already above Pakistan and it would be a miracle of sorts if they make it to the knockout stage.

Pakistan will not have to just win their remaining matches but they need to win with big margins to swell their net run rate (currently minus 0.205). A defeat against Bangladesh will certainly knock the 1992 champions out of the showpiece.

Pakistan’s biggest let down has been their batters who have failed to last the full quota of 50 overs on four occasions.

Squads:

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Wasim.

Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan (c), Litton Das (wk), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (vc), Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah Riyad, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nasum Ahmed, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib