England emerged victorious against Pakistan in a crucial group match at Kolkata’s Edens Gardens, leading to Pakistan’s exit from the tournament.
Chasing a formidable target of 338 runs set by England, Pakistan’s batting lineup faltered, managing only 244 runs before being bowled out in the 44th over. The match began unfavourably for Pakistan, with openers Abdullah Shafique and Fakhar Zaman dismissed early, leaving the team at a precarious 10-2. Despite a brief period of stability brought by captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, the team lost momentum after their dismissal, standing at 100-4 after 22.3 overs.
Salman Ali Agha was the top scorer for Pakistan, contributing 51 runs, while Shaheen Shah Afridi added 26 runs lower down the order. Late efforts by Haris Rauf and Wasim, who collectively scored 53 runs, proved insufficient against England’s substantial target.
England’s Commanding Batting Display Sets Winning Tone
England’s batting performance was formidable, with Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow providing a strong opening stand of 80 runs. Despite losing early wickets, Joe Root and Ben Stokes formed a pivotal 132-run partnership, setting the stage for a robust total. With 84 runs, Stokes nearly achieved a century but was bowled by Shaheen Afridi. Root contributed 60 runs before falling to Afridi as well. Vital late contributions from Jos Buttler and Harry Brook helped England reach a challenging target of 338 runs.
For Pakistan, bowler Haris took three wickets, while Afridi and Wasim Jr each claimed two, and Iftikhar Ahmed managed one.
Pakistan’s journey in the World Cup ended with four victories from nine matches, placing them fifth in the points table with eight points. The match against England underscored the team’s challenges and marked the conclusion of their campaign in the tournament.
