Imam's 100

Pakistan beat Bangladesh but New Zealand reach semi-finals

Imam's 100
Imam’s 100

ICC World Cup Men’s Cricket at The Lords, London

 Bangladesh Vs Pakistan

 Pakistan 315-9 (50 ov) Imam 100, Babar 96, Musgafizur 5-75

 Bangladesh 221 ao ( 44.1 ov) Shakib 64, Shaheen 6-35

 Pakistan won by 94 runs

Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 94 runs at Lord’s but all their efforts were in vain as they could not pip New Zealand to the last World Cup semi-final place.

 The 1992 winners need victory by a record margin of 308 runs to finish fourth on a better run-rate.

 Imam ul-Haq century and 96 from Babar Azam was not enough as they posted 315-9 before they dismissed Bangladesh for 221.

 Shakib Al Hasan top-scored for Bangladesh with 64 but seamer Shaheen Afridi took 6-35 with hit magical match winning spell.

New Zealand joins Australia, India and England in the semi-finals.

 Australia will top the group if they beat South Africa at Old Trafford (13:30 BST) but if they lose, India can overtake them by winning against Sri Lanka at Headingly at 10:30.

Pakistan knew their tournament was over before a ball was bowled at Lord’s even though captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said “ If Allah helps then miracles can happen.”

The minimum score needed to stand any theoreticakl chance was 308, but even that would have meant Bangladesh needing to be bowled out for nought.

 In the end Imam and Babar’s 157 run partnership off 151 balls for the second wicket helped them to post 315-9.

Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said “Unfortunately we played very good cricket in the last four matches but we have not qualified.” Only one match cost us the whole tournament the heavy defeat by West Indies. The way Shaheen is bowling very good. Today it was one of the best bowling performances I have seen in a long time.”

 Bangladesh Captain Mashrafe Mortaza said “ The whole team is disappointed but on the other hand with the way we have played we could’ve finished higher in the table. A few things have been very good, but others have not been very good. Little things in games do make a huge difference. Shakinb Al Hasan has been absolutely brilliant in this tournament and I feel sorry for him that the team have not been able to back up those performances.”