Pakistan, known for its resilience, scripted a much-needed turnaround by thumping Bangladesh by seven wickets and recorded its third victory to stay in the World Cup semifinal race at the Eden Gardens here on Tuesday.
Electing to bat on a dry pitch, Bangladesh did not last the 50 overs for the fourth time in its last six innings as it stuttered to 204 with Shaheen Afridi capturing three crucial wickets. Openers Fakhar Zaman and Shafique Abdullah’s authoritative half-centuries enabled the former champion to easily achieve the modest target and end its four-match losing streak.
The left-right combination of Zaman and Shafique got used to the track before toying with the dispirited Bangladesh bowlers to erect a 128-run stand.
