Bangladesh vs Pakistan, 31st Match at Kolkata, World Cup 2023, Oct 31 2023 - Match Result

Not much of a surprise but it's exactly what Pakistan wanted. Bangladesh were outplayed thoroughly again and are now officially out of the semi-final race. That race is heating up with two of the favourites taking on each other. See you for New Zealand vs South Africa tomorrow. For now, it's goodbye from me, Ekanth, on behalf of my report-writing co-commentator Danyal Rasool and our scorers, Chandan Duorah and Ranjith P.

Babar Azam: Credit to the boys, the way they played in all three departments. We know how well Fakhar plays when he's going. Good to see him do it. We are trying to win our remaining matches and see where we stand. This win hopefully gives confidence in the coming matches. Shaheen started well with the ball. After 15-20 overs, they built a partnership. But our main bowlers struck. Main thing was our bowlers hit good lengths and took wickets. Thanks to the fans for supporting me and my team.

Shakib Al Hasan: Not enough runs. Wicket was really good. We lost early wicket. We had partnerships but not big ones that'd allowed us to go big in the last ten. We should've bowled better too. Pakistan did well in the first ten overs, credit to them too. We have to think about my batting order. I was batting early, didn't score runs. My confidence was low too. In this stage, changing too many things seems difficult. We are trying to force things but it isn't working. At this moment, we have to perform together, which is not happening. We are looking for answers but aren't getting it. Everywhere we go, fans come to the ground and are always behind us. They are our biggest strength.

Fakhar Zaman, POTM: Time off helped. I practised a lot after the Asia Cup. I felt good in the camp. I wanted to score big but, you know, it's cricket. I was talking to Abdullah that I'll see off the first four overs and then hit sixes regardless of how the pitch will play because I know I can and I know my role. NRR was in our mind. After 100, we were looking to finish the game before 30 overs. After too many failures, I was just looking to score the first 30 and struggling. Hopefully, I'll make it big in the coming games.

8:35pm Fourth time Pakistan have won a men's ODI World Cup game with over 100 balls to spare. It was as good as it gets for them with bat and ball. It was topped in the chase by Fakhar Zaman, returning to the side and to form, with a 74-ball 81 with three fours and seven sixes. He worked his way into his innings but then there was that monstrous six off Taskin, where he effortlessly hoicked a length ball like it was off a spinner. Shafique offered able support. The openers put on a 128-run stand at just over a run a ball to break the back of the chase and allow the batters coming in to coast along. Mehidy was the only bowler among the wickets, his full quick dart beat Shafique's sweep and had him lbw. Fakhar and Babar went for big shots and were caught in the outfield. But that didn't stop Rizwan and Iftikhar from hurrying through to the end.

jo: "With this loss bangladesh has been eliminated from the worldcup"

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Saurabh: "Pakistan just missed the opportunity to get a positive NRR."

Asif: "Let the "If and But" Party begin" Great name for a song