Bangladesh become 1st team to be eliminated from WC 2023

Bangladesh suffered a seven-wicket defeat to Pakistan in the World Cup encounter at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Tuesday. The outcome also kept Pakistan alive in the race for the semifinals. With this defeat, Bangladesh became 1st team to be eliminated from the World Cup.

Pakistan chased down the target of 205 runs in 32.3 overs. Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique gave Pakistan a strong start in the run chase. The pair added 128 runs for the opening stand before Mehidy Hasan Miraz trapped Shafique LBW for 68(69). Shortly after he removed Babar Azam for 9(16) and Fakhar Zaman for 81(74) in the following over. Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed then guided Pakistan home as they completed the run chase in 32.3 overs. Rizwan returned unbeaten on 26(21), while Iftikhar chipped in with 15-ball 17.

Earlier, the Bangladesh batters were first rocked by the Pakistan pace battery spearheaded by Shaheen Shah Afridi. Mohammad Wasim Jr also made the same number of inroads as Bangladesh, who opted to bat first, were folded for 204 in 45.1 overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Wasim Jr scalped three wickets each, while Haris Rauf returned with two scalps.