After back-to-back defeats, Babar Azam-inspired Pakistan have clinched a comfortable seven-wicket victory against Bangladesh in the 31st match of the World Cup on Tuesday.

PAKISTAN'S INNINGS

Chasing a target of 205, Pakistan completed the equation with 105 balls to spare. Fakhar Zaman, who was only playing his second game in the World Cup went on to score the leading score for the team in this match. In his 74-ball 81, Fakhar clobbered three fours and seven sixes before he was removed by Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Fakhar found an able partner in Abdullah Shafique as both of them racked up a brilliant 128-run partnership to allow their team to brim with joy.

Shafique continued to show his prowess with the bat and went on to compile a 69-ball 68, lacing with nine boundaries and two sixes, before being trapped by Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

After the departure of Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam arrived on the wicket but was removed by Mehidy Hasan Miraz on merely 9.

But it was the Peshawar Panthers (now a defunct domestic team of Pakistan) couple of Mohammad Rizwan (26) and Iftikhar Ahmed (17), who ensured to tick all the boxes and steer their team to a must-win victory to keep a slight hope of qualifying for the semifinals.

The lone-ranger for Bangladesh with the bowl was Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who took all three wickets, conceding 60 runs.

Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Wasim’s bowling brilliance helped Pakistan bundle out Bangladesh for 204 in the 31st match of the World Cup at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Tuesday.

Taskin Ahmed (0-36), Shoriful Islam (0-25), Mustafizur Rahman (0-47), Shakib Al Hasan (0-30) and Najmul Hasan Shanto (0-5) went on to remain wicketless.

BANGLADESH'S INNINGS

Opting to bat first, the Shakib Al Hasan-inspired side had been skittled out with 29 balls to spare. The Bangladesh top-order had to go through a rough patch, courtesy of the challenge posed by Shaheen Afridi.

Bangladesh were three down for 23, but it was the partnership racked by Mahmudullah and Litton Das, that showed the team a ray of hope before the departure of the latter (Das).

Mohammad Wasim of late, came back strongly and exposed the tail of Bangladesh.

Apart from the batting woes, Mahmudullah looked once again brilliant and went on to notch up a circumspect 70-ball 56, studding with six boundaries and one towering six.

Skipper Shakib experience counted for his team for a while before he was shown the way to the pavilion by Haris Rauf on 64-ball 43.

Litton Das also looked good for his 45-ball 64, lacing with six fours, before being removed by Iftikhar Ahmed.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who continues to show his batting prowess, was looking good on the wicket before being perplexed by Mohammad Wasim on 30-ball 25, clobbering one six and one four.

Other batters, Tanzid Hasan (0), Najmul Hossain Shanto (4), Mushfiqur Rahim (5), Towhid Hridoy (7), Taskin Ahmed (6), Mustafizur Rahman (3), Shoriful Islam (1) failed to show significant resistance.

For Pakistan, Mohammad Wasim (3-31), Shaheen Shah Afridi (3-23) scooped up three wickets apiece. Haris Rauf (2-36) bagged two wickets apiece.

Iftikhar Ahmed (1-44) and Usama Mir (1-66) took a scalp each.