Pakistan revive campaign as Bangladesh slide to sixth straight defeat

For the third match in a row, including the one against Pakistan on Tuesday in Kolkata, Bangladesh failed to bat for the full 50 overs. At the same time they bowled out their opponents only once in seven games in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023, with performances lacking both in batting and bowling, compounded by subpar fielding.

Bangladesh, grappling with various challenges on the field, suffered yet another defeat in the World Cup.

On Tuesday, they were unable to present Pakistan with a formidable challenge when they batted first. They lost the match by a significant margin of seven wickets, defending a below-par total of 204.

This loss raises doubts about their participation in the next edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Pakistan in 2025.

Bangladesh‍‍`s captain, Shakib Al Hasan, who is also struggling along with his team, won the toss and chose to bat first. However, they failed to validate that decision, losing three wickets within just 23 runs.

Opener Tanzid Hasan was dismissed without scoring, while the next two batters—Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim—departed with only four and five runs, respectively.

Litton Das and Mahmudullah Riyad provided much-needed stability with a fourth-wicket partnership yielding 79 runs. Both seemed settled at the crease. However, Litton‍‍`s dismissal after a promising innings of 45 was a sudden setback. He had the platform for a bigger total, but once again fell short.

Mahmudullah, however, stood firm. He reached a fifty, becoming the only Bangladeshi in this World Cup to achieve both a century and a fifty, and he is the top run-scorer for Bangladesh in this tournament.

Ultimately, Bangladesh posted a total of 204 all out in 45.1 overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Wasim took three wickets for Pakistan, who chased it down in 32.3 overs with seven wickets in hand.

Abdullah Shafique and Fakhar Zaman laid a solid foundation of 128 runs in the opening stand. Both batsmen scored fifties. Fakhar‍‍`s return to the XI proved impactful. The rest of the job was carried out smoothly.

Pakistan lost three wickets, all to Mehidy Hasan Miraz. The other bowlers failed to pose a challenge to Pakistan‍‍`s top and middle order.

This marked Bangladesh’s sixth defeat in this World Cup, out of seven matches played. They still have two matches remaining—against Sri Lanka and Australia. If they face similar outcomes, it would mark Bangladesh‍‍`s worst-ever World Cup performance since gaining Test status in 2000.