‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ did play out this time. Babar Azam and Co. got their fair share of support from the 27,940 spectators who had turned up at the Eden on Tuesday even though the Bangladeshi fans were more in number.
But as goes the record, the Pakistanis feel much more at home when in Calcutta and don’t really tend to mess up when playing at the Eden. Tuesday was no different either as they pulverised Bangladesh by seven wickets, their sixth ODI win at the venue in seven appearances.
That, even after captain Babar, having an ideal opportunity to regain some flow and tempo, managed only nine before perishing in the deep.
This much-needed win helps Pakistan to keep breathing in this World Cup and stay in contention for the last-four stage. While for Bangladesh, their sixth loss in a row brought about an embarrassing end to their chances of making the semi-finals.
On a pitch that was a little drier compared to the one in use on Saturday (during the Bangladesh-Netherlands game), captain Shakib-Al Hasan won the toss and elected to bat. But barring Mahmudullah (56), hardly any of the other batters could come up with any kind of resistance to tackle the Pakistan pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi (3/23), Mohammad Wasim (3/31) and Haris Rauf (2/36). Bangladesh were bowled out for 204 in 45.1 overs.
Yet again, Shakib (43), who too failed to convert a start, and his teammates couldn’t last the full 50 overs.
Openers Fakhar Zaman (81), returning in place of Imam-ul Haq for only his second appearance in the ongoing Cup, and Abdullah Shafique began the run chase cautiously. But once they got into their groove, Fakhar and Shafique (68) made merry with boundaries and maximums, hammering the listless Bangladeshi bowling to all corners.
The opening duo couldn’t reach three figures. But that should hardly matter to them or their team as this thumping win — with as many as 105 balls to spare — took Pakistan up to fifth in the standings and more importantly, gave their net run rate a little bit of lift as well.
As the match progressed, more vacant seats at the stands were noticed as the Bangladeshi fans had had enough of the “torture”. A group of them at ‘G1’ block, so frustrated with the proceedings, even yelled “bhuaa, bhuaa (fake, fake)” when skipper Shakib came on to bowl.
How far this convincing win takes Pakistan remains to be seen as they still need win to the rest of their games while the results of a few other matches too need to be favourable for them. But in this friendlier environment and conditions, Shaheen and the other quicks regaining some momentum certainly bodes well for them going forward.
This Eden track lacked a little in bounce and seemed a bit slower too. But with
some movement there early on for the quicks, Shaheen made proper use of it to rock the Bangladesh top order, striking twice within the first three overs.
In his next spell, coming round the wicket, the left-arm quick bowled the fuller length with late movement to clean up a well-set Mahmudullah. That was another killer blow.
