Summing up
So, another day, another one-sided game. After two cliff-hangers in two days over the weekend, we seem to have reverted to type in the past three days. Here, Pakistan suggested that their confidence has been boosted by their involvement in one of those cliff-hangers, against South Africa last Friday, as they romped to victory here. Shaheen Shah Afridi and then Mohammad Wasim in particular bowled brilliantly to shut down any hope given to Bangladesh by Litton Das and the ever-excellent Mahmudullah.
But 205 was no sort of target on this Eden Gardens pitch and Pakistan made mincemeat of it with a batting display of style and aggression, particularly from their openers. They face New Zealand on Saturday and England on Saturday week, and will need to beat both to have a chance of progressing. They have at least suggested they are capable of doing so in their past two games. Bangladesh’s desperately underwhelming World Cup continues though – and now they can only play for pride in their remaining two matches, against Sri Lanka and Australia.
And that’s us done for today. Stay on the site for a match report and return tomorrow for a significant and intriguing set-to between South Africa and New Zealand. Thanks for reading and reacting. Bye.
So Pakistan are up to fifth, two points off a coveted top-four spot albeit having played a game more than all the sides above them, while Bangladesh’s chances of progress are now mathematically over after a sixth straight defeat.
Fakhar Zaman is player of the match and reflects on the much-needed upturn in form seen today: “After the Asia Cup I practised a lot, thankfully I was feeling very good in the camp and looking to score runs but you know this is cricket. I got my chance, I know I worked hard for this and it paid off. It doesn’t matter how the wicket will play, I know I can hit sixes, I knew I had to see off the first four overs, my first role is always to help my partner at that stage.
“After too many failures I was always looking to score just even 30 runs and now hopefully I will make it big in the next game too.”
Pakistan win by seven wickets!
32.3 overs: Pakistan 205-3 (Rizwan 26, Iftikhar 17). Shakib does get another over but not a full one as Iftikhar clips a single and Rizwan pushes the winning single from the offside as Pakistan win with 17.3 overs to spare! Just the emphatic all-round performance Pakistan desperately needed.
32nd over: Pakistan 203-3 (Rizwan 25, Iftikhar 16). The all=spin thing continues as the admirable Mehedy bowls his ninth over. A couple of singles take Pakistan to 200 but they can’t work Mehedy’s canny legside line away and it’s “only” five from the over.
31st over: Pakistan 198-3 (Rizwan 24, Iftikhar 12). Shakib, back on the field and back in the attack, comes on for last knockings, giving Iftikhar something to think about with his flight and variation. But Iftikhar finds the gaps in the field from a slightly wider one to cut in front of square for four more. That might be the last bowl Shakib gets today. Seven needed.
30th over: Pakistan 191-3 (Rizwan 23, Iftikhar 6). Rizwan continues to look in encouraging touch, threading a deft cut off Mehedy through the field with precision past point for four. A couple more singles nudge Pakistan closer to the inevitable.
29th over: Pakistan 185-3 (Rizwan 18, Iftikhar 5). If you’re going to slash, slash hard, as Rizwan takes on a slower ball from Mustafizur, goes for the slog-sweep and sends a spiralling edge over the keeper for four. His next shot, though, is fierce and true – past mid-on for four more. They take another of the risky singles that have characterised this innings, and this time the fielder clatters the stumps, but Rizwan was comfortably in. It’s then Iftikhar’s turn to get his party tunes out, clouting over wide mid-off for four. And that’s drinks.
28th over: Pakistan 171-3 (Rizwan 9, Iftikhar 1). Mehedy isn’t far off taking a caught-and-bowled when Rizwan chips back awkwardly at him but it just drops short. No such worries for Hridoy in the deep though when Fakhar holes out, as a Pakistan batter again fails to reach 100. Still, a cracking, crackling innings. Mehidy has three wickets today and 100 ODI scalps in total.
Wicket! Fakhar c Hridoy b Mehedy 81
Fakhar Zaman’s dynamic, fun-packed knock is ended as he hoicks Mehedy to deep midwicket where Hridoy is waiting gratefully
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27th over: Pakistan 168-2 (Zaman 81, Rizwan 7). Mustafizur continues and is milked for three singles but finds some decent movement, variation and even bounce to restrict Pakistan to that for this over. Thirty-seven needed from 138 balls. The tension!
Wicket! Babar c Mahmudullah b Mehedi 9
26th over: Pakistan 165-2 (Zaman 80, Rizwan 5). Fakhar Zaman was considered rusty and out of form at the start of play. He’s not now as he swipes another perfectly serviceable Mehedi delivery way over square leg for SIX more. Babar tries to do similar down the ground though but doesn’t quite time it, and he’s caught in the deep by Mahmudullah. The new man in is also in good nick though, and Rizwan sweeps his first ball square for four.
Time to cheer up Bangladesh fans with a gratuitous link from the first Bangladesh-Pakistan game I can remember, that memorable day at Northampton in 1999. And what a Pakistan side that was that year too.
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25th over: Pakistan 153-1 (Zaman 73, Babar 9). Mustafizur reminds us he’s a canny bowler too with four dots, followed by a scurried single and a leg-bye, moving a hitherto becalmed Extras on to 3. We’re at the halfway stage of the innings, and Pakistan need 52.
“Serendipity – Pakistan-Bangladesh clash with an Indian umpire,” says Krishnamoorthy V.
24th over: Pakistan 151-1 (Zaman 73, Babar 8). Mehidy’s actually bowled well, with little to work with, and he starts the over with two dots. But he only has to stray by a fraction into the slot and Zaman’s gonna belt it into the crowd, which he does again over wide long-on for SIX. It’s still all too easy.
23rd over: Pakistan 142-1 (Zaman 66, Babar 6). Another bowling change, Mustafizur on to bowl his fourth over, and Babar greets him with one of modern cricket’s greatest sights (unless you’re in the field) – his cover drive. It’s four, of course it is. The next such drive only goes to a fielder though and is just a single. And then it’s Fakhar’s turn to shine with a rollicking well-timed square cut for four.
“From a couple of years earlier....” pipes-and-slippers Jeremy Boyce, continuing the sad middle-aged men music chat (guilty as charged). “Should Bangladesh not manage a Simple Minds today and, heaven forfend, finish BELOW England in the final rankings they would do well to remember this good advice from those fluffy bunnies The Cure”
22nd over: Pakistan 132-1 (Zaman 61, Babar 1). Shakib has gone off for the sub fielder, as Mehidy comes back into the attack and strikes straight away, pinning Shafique for a brilliant 68. The Bangladesh-majority crowd trebles the decibel level instantly. It brings to the crease the wonderful Babar Azam, who’s scored plenty of runs this tournament without looking at his world-class best. He’s off the mark with a single before a rare slog from Fakhar that doesn’t go for six – it’s a good turning ball, that’s why, and instead plugs on the outfield for two.
Wicket! Abdullah Shafique lbw b Mehidy 68
Mehidy returns and pushes a straight one through a fraction quicker, Shafique sweeps and misses. The finger goes up. The batter reviews but he’s bang to rights. It’s hitting middle. A small modicum of sweet relief for Bangladesh
21st over: Pakistan 128-0 (Shafique 68, Zaman 58). Any assistance from the conditions has now gone for Bangladesh’s bowlers, both the spinners and seamers. Shakib keeps plugging away, trying to get grip and spin, but it’s seen like a football by these batters now and they rotate with some singles.
20th over: Pakistan 124-0 (Shafique 66, Zaman 56). Pakistan are on course to climb to fifth place on the current net run rate, and they don’t have Australia, South Africa or India among their remaining opponents – and they do have thrashing-friendly England. Taskin is taken for four singles before Shafique picks out row C with a hoik over wide long-on for SIX.
19th over: Pakistan 114-0 (Shafique 58, Zaman 54). The foot is on the accelerator now, the finish line in sight, as Shafique dances down the track and hoists Shakib high into the night sky and the stands for SIX more. That’s his first six of the innings, remarkably. It’s almost followed by a run-out as Zaman sets off foolishly from the non-striker’s end and sent scurrying back. They do take a quick single next ball, Zaman chomping at the bit to take on Shakib, but he only manages a single.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Pakistan wrap this up by 10 wickets.
18th over: Pakistan 105-0 (Shafique 50, Zaman 53). Taskin returns to the attack for his fifth over – no point holding him back until the 40th after all – and Shafique duly nudges a single to complete an elegant and excellent half-century. His partner Zaman takes that as his cue to loft a straight SIX to bring up his own 50 in a manner reflective of his own belligerent innings.
“Echo and the Bunnymen,” says Jeremy Boyce, “I think what Bangladesh need now is more of a Simple Minds...
If all else fails, let us dwell in the soothing balm of the pop music of 1982, the guv’nor of all pop years.
17th over: Pakistan 97-0 (Shafique 49, Zaman 46). Shakib continues and Shafique milks him for two twos, either side of the wicket, and a single before Fakhar Zaman flicks the final ball of the over away for one more.
16th over: Pakistan 91-0 (Shafique 44, Zaman 45). Najmul Hossain Shanto, who’s had a desperately disappointing tournament with the bat, gets a chance to send down a few twirlers with the ball. Alas for him, his second ball – a tad too short and wide – is flayed through the covers for four. One more bunted single is the only other scoring stroke from an uneventful over. Not sure whether this experiment will be persisted with.
Time for some scoreboard appreciation: the one at Eden Gardens is magnificent, old-school, showing the full scorecard in non-digital fashion, along the lines of the old Adelaide Oval one. What are our favourite scoreboards? I’ve long liked the nicely adorned one between the City End and the Hollies stand at Edgbaston, while the nostalgist in me looks back fondly on the old grandstand one at Lord’s. Tell me yours.
15th over: Pakistan 86-0 (Shafique 39, Zaman 45). Shakib brings himself on, needing to conjure something, anything, from somewhere, anywhere. His flighted, reasonably accurate stuff keeps Zaman quiet for three balls before a couple of singles are milked, though they briefly entertain running two for one of them, a frankly daft idea given Shafique’s earlier cramp. And that’s drinks.
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14th over: Pakistan 84-0 (Shafique 38, Zaman 44). Mehedy returns as Bangladesh resort to spin again. It can’t stem the tide though, Fakhar advancing and clobbering yet another SIX high over long-on. Another single ensues.
Pakistan need from 122 from 36 overs – but do stick around for more NRR-fun.
13th over: Pakistan 77-0 (Shafique 38, Zaman 37). Abdullah Shafique is a sublime batter – again using his masterful timing to pump Mustafizur over mid-on and following it up with an effortless clip through midwicket for four. But he can do brawn as well as brain, and he soon muscles a pull across the line for a third boundary of the over.
12th over: Pakistan 65-0 (Shafique 26, Zaman 37). Even though it’ll almost certainly be a dead rubber, I am kind of looking forward to England v Pakistan. Both are still chock-full of (largely out of sorts) entertainers so anything could in theory happen. Back in this game, the definitely not out-of-sorts Shafique demonstrates some of that entertainment value by straight-driving Shoriful gloriously for four. More alarmingly, he then goes down with cramp and needs attention. After a delay and some physio, the batter is ready to continue. And when play resumes, Fakhar Zaman upper-cuts a forensic and brilliant SIX, properly Gilchrist-esque. Pakistan can do their NRR some favours here.
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11th over: Pakistan 54-0 (Shafique 21, Zaman 31). Mustafizur continues, but he’s not getting much by way of movement and swing. Like Echo and the Bunnymen, he’s sparing us the cutters, which brought him some success against the Dutch, until he tries one that turns out to be a low full-toss. But it’s an economical enough over.
10th over: Pakistan 52-0 (Shafique 20, Zaman 30). The early potential of the Bangladesh attack appears to have been nullified as the ball begins to age. The last over of the powerplay begins with Zaman tickling a wayward one from Shoriful down to fine leg for four. A couple of singles ensue. Pakistan in little danger at the minute. And they had Bangladesh at 37 for 3 at this stage.
“What civilians call The Bends (over 7) is known to the Royal Navy subsea-minded as The Staggers,” John Starbuck informs us landlubbers, “a much more accurate description of England’s form.”
9th over: Pakistan 46-0 (Shafique 20, Zaman 25). A pace for pace exchange, with the potentially dangerous Mustafizur replacing Taskin Ahmed. But Fakhar is purring now, and he cracks him through the covers for four more. Another flicked single keeps Pakistan well on top of the rate.
8th over: Pakistan 42-0 (Shafique 20, Zaman 20). For all that Bangladesh have bowled OK, the foundations for a cruise to victory are being laid here. Mehidy has a big shout for lbw against Fakhar but his captain, Shakib, disabuses him of the notion. It looked worth a look though – possibly clipping leg stump? – though replays suggest not. Fakhar then cashes in with his second SIX – again one that soars way over anyone in the front 10 rows, this over deep midwicket.
7th over: Pakistan 33-0 (Shafique 19, Zaman 12). Taskin v Fakhar again, who clobbered him for that epic six in the previous over. He has another legside swing, which isn’t too far off being held by Litton Das in the deep, diving forward athletically. They run one, bringing to the strike Abdullah, who demonstrates just what sort of his form he’s in with another delicious flick through midwicket for four – all poise and timing, no need for belligerence.
“It has occurred to me that England’s most recent crushing defeat might simply be the darkest hour before the dawn?” writes Kim Thonger. “On the other hand we might actually be so far underwater, in a very deep part of an enormous ocean, that light can no longer penetrate that far down, and we are doomed to an icy airless eternity of oblivion? Just thought I’d lighten the mood.” Yeah we’ve got the bends at this stage, if I may risk ushering in more of the Radiohead-riffing that has pockmarked the OBO during this World Cup. But England fans have been Let Down for sure.
6th over: Pakistan 28-0 (Shafique 15, Zaman 11). Spin into the attack with the always watchable Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who like so many of his teammates has not quite fired at this tournament. He starts well enough though, with some handy variations, but when he loops one up a little too obviously and too short, Shafique swats it to the square-leg boundary.
5th over: Pakistan 23-0 (Shafique 11, Zaman 10). Is Fakhar Zaman finding his form finally? Taskin tests him with an offside yorker but the left-hander digs it out well enough, and then finds his range with a searing swipe over midwicket for SIX high into the stands. It was a reasonably accurate delivery too. The next – cracked towards extra-cover – would have been four more but for a fine diving stop. Taskin responds well with a deceptive slower delivery on off-stump but the batter negotiates it.
4th over: Pakistan 16-0 (Shafique 11, Zaman 3). The ground isn’t full but there’s a pretty full-throated atmosphere, mostly behind Bangladesh, and the fourth over begins to a cacophany of fireworks from somewhere. Fakhar tucks Shoriful through the legside for two, and it prefaces Shoriful’s first wayward delivery, a wide sprayed down leg. The bowler then has a wildly optimistic lbw shout aginst Fakhar, who runs a leg-bye while the bowler’s making it. More frustration for the bowler ensues, as Shafique clips his next ball with supreme timing through midwicket for four. There’s nothing too wrong with the bowling but decent batters can score swiftly on this surface.
3rd over: Pakistan 6-0 (Shafique 5, Zaman 1). Bangladesh’s seamers have started decently, finding the right not-quite-full lengths and Taskin rips a rising snorter past Shafique’s edge. He’s a fine bowler and it’s another maiden.
2nd over: Pakistan 6-0 (Shafique 5, Zaman 1). The medium-fast Shoriful opens the bowling at the other end. He finds some decent early movement too against the returning left-hander Fakhar Zaman, who swipes inelegantly at thin air against the final ball of the over, which is a tidy maiden. Bangladesh need wickets to win this but parsimony can help.
1st over: Pakistan 6-0 (Shafique 5, Zaman 1). These are potentially seam/swing-friendly evening conditions, as Taskin takes the new ball to see if he can do owt with them. His first ball suggests yes, speared in and shaping away to beat Abdullah Shafique outside off. The batter is off the mark with a needlessly risky run following a push through the offside. If Shanto had hit, he’d have been gone, and Shanto is suitably annoyed with himself. The opening pair are undettered and snatch a similarly dicey run next ball. Shafique then creams a drive through the covers for four, which is a bit more like it. Pakistan are up and running and ahead of the required rate. Not a bad over from Taskin, mind.
The players are on their way out at this storied and atmospheric stadium, Bangladesh’s huddling on the edge of the outfield first.
Some reading – Jonathan Liew on an English disease:
For any seasoned watcher of English sport, this is a familiar pattern: the cathartic triumph, the parade and associated tie-in merchandise, the inevitable decline. The men’s Ashes winners of 2005 became the whitewashed carcasses of 2006-07. England’s rugby union World Cup winners of 2003 disintegrated pretty much overnight, leaving a swathe of after-dinner bookings in their wake
Cheers Daniel. Afternoon/evening everyone, for Pakistan’s chase. Bangladesh have been a big disappointment in this tournament – sure, you might not have them pegged as semi-final candidates, but they brought plenty to the 2019 tournament and were excellent eight years ago, and their form this calendar year hasn’t been too shabby. But with Shakib out of sorts – though he showed some old glimmers earlier with the bat – and the batting over-reliant on Mahmudullah rescuing the top order, they’ve fallen horribly short. They’ve not been much cop at defending targets either and have only Shoriful Islam, in 20th, in the top 20 wicket-takers of this World Cup.
But it’s been a seamer’s game so far, this, so let’s see. In the meantime, we can kick back and watch this Wasim Akram homage on Sky or continue the crisps chat, whatever. (Coming from a family of ready-salted puritans, I need to take my exotic crisp pleasures elsewhere, when I’m in the office canteen or wherever, when it’s go big[gleswade sweet chilli] or go home – what is it about Biggleswade’s micro-climate?). Anyway, on my telly, Wasim has just ripped through England at the MCG in 92, scaling heights that this current Pakistan side have fallen a fair way short of.
And with that, my watch is over. Tom Davies will be here shortly to coax you through what, if Pakistan pakistan, could still be a tense chase. But from me, it’s peace out.
This isn’t over – batting won’t, I don’t think, get easier, nor are Pakistan that good at it. But they should have enough to get home, the bowling of Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Wasim with the old ball, too good for Bangladesh, the batters who got in unable to make something definitive. Litton Das gifting his wicket was a turning point – he’s only just finished walking back from the middle – and Shakib also got himself out. He now needs a monumental effort in the field
Bangladesh set Pakistan 205 to win!
WICKET! Mustafizur b Wasim 3 (Pakistan 204 all out) He’s done it again! This is great stuff, the tail in at pace far too good for Mustafizur; a yorker bounces from boot onto stumps, and Babar will be delighted with how this has gone.
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45th over: Bangladesh 204-9 (Mustafizur 3, Shoriful 1) In comms, Waqar reckons Wasim’s ball is swinging more than Afridi’s – but of course you’ve still got to control it and get the ball in the right place. He’s got a tilted seam-position, good pace and a slingy action, the expert tells us, so his deliveries swing late; meantime, this latest over cedes just three singles. But back to more general chat, Waqar suggests moving to one ball after, say, 30 overs, so it gets older and we reintroduce to the game a skill that’s been far less influential in recent times.
44th over: Bangladesh 201-9 (Mustafizur 1, Shoriful 0) A tremendous over from Wasim, two wickets and two clean-bowleds which might just’ve broken the back of this match,
WICKET! Taskin b Wasim 6 (Bangladesh 201-9)
He’s done it again! Again, Wasim finds reverse, this time relying on movement away to defeat the batter, who tries to shove it down the ground only to be defeated by the movement through the air, missing as his stumps are splayed behind him. Big trouble for Bangladesh.
44th over: Bangladesh 201-8 (Taskin 6, Mustafizur 1) Mustafizur goes to pull then flicks to square leg for one.
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WICKET! Miraz b Wasim 25 (Bangladesh 200-8)
Waqar, it turns out, knows a thing or two about cricket and Pakistani bowlers. He said Wasim was better with an old, reversing ball, and shonuff he gets one to tail in, whizzing past Miraz’s mow across the line and slamming the top of off, knocking it out of the ground.
43rd over: Bangladesh 200-7 (Miraz 25, Taskin 6) Yup, Afridi returns and immediately Taskin flicks one slanted down leg. Rizwan takes the catch but when the appeal is rejected, says it was pad so there’s no review. A leg bye follows, then Afridi, coming around to Miraz, narrowly defeats the outside edge; a further single follows.
42nd over: Bangladesh 198-7 (Miraz 24, Taskin 6) I wonder if Babar will bring Afridi back soon, trying to finish this innings as soon as possible rather than keep his main man for the final push. Either way, though, this match has already shown us one reason Pakistan are struggling: they’re under-powered in the bowling department, a situation emphasises as I type; after the first two balls of Usama’s final over go for three, then Miraz goes inside-out over cover for four, and Babar can’t let these last eight overs be milked like that.
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41st over: Bangladesh 191-6 (Miraz 17, Taskin 3) Iftikhar returns for his final over and cedes three singles to finish with figures of 1-44 off his 10.
“Crisps for cricket picnics,” begins Alison Griffiths, reading me like she wrote me. “I love your OBO coverage but can’t understand how you have overlooked the umami perfection of Walkers Marmite crisps. What genius invented those?”
I’ve not tried these. A few overs ago, John Starbuck mentioned the ultra-processed nature of crisps, and Walkers have made their regular stuff healthier and therefore less tasty. I’m sure this is nothing to do with Sensations, left to their own devices, being dearer. Anway, I’m not a Marmite fan and wonder if these have enough bite for me, but also, I’ll be off the newsagent soon as I’m done here.
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4oth over: Bangladesh 188-7 (Miraz 17, Taskin 3) Taskin gets away with two to fine leg, Wasim doing well to prevent the boundary, then a single to point means he retains strike. With so many overs still remaining Bangladesh, and Miraz in particular, have a lot of work to do.
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WICKET! Shakib Al Hasan c Agha Slaman b Rauf 43 (Bangladesh 185-7)
He did his best, but when you’re not there you’re not there, and Shaklib’s struggles against the short stuff continues – which probably makes this delivery sound better than it is. It gets a little big on the batter but not with any menace, he just gets under it but with his feet in the wrong position, he can’t impart the necessary power, instead offering midwicket a dolly– that’s almost, but not quite dropped.
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40th over: Bangladesh 185-6 (Shakib 43, Miraz 17) Nas trails an interval feature with actual Wasim, one of my all-tie favourite bowlers – not many have had the magic ball, the stock ball, the variety, the leftiness, the temperament and the dirty action in their armoury. Anyway, Rauf returns and his first two balls yield two singles…
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39th over: Bangladesh 183-6 (Shakib 42, Miraz 16) Mohammad Wasim returns and Babar will hope he can exercise a little control; Afridi has just three overs left and, if we’re honest, he’s the only bowler who’s really threatened. Shakib takes one to third then Miraz tries a tickle to fine leg; Rizwan does really well to stop on the dive.
38th over: Bangladesh 182-6 (Shakib 41, Miraz 16) Suddenly, Shakib looks confident at the crease, his movements more positive and definitive. And after four singles, Miraz wants some of the action, takeing a step – it’s more of a stomp actually – down the track, slamming a slog-sweep over cow for six! Terrific shot making it 24 off the last two overs, the partnership is 42 off 39.
37th over: Bangladesh 172-6 (Shakib 39, Miraz 8) Iftikhar returns and Shakib is in now! He deposits the loosener over cover for four, follows it with a thundserous sweep for four more, then have a look! A glorious dvie over the top makes it three fours in three balls, and has the Bangladesh skipper played his way into form in front of our eyes? Fourteen off the over, and this is a really good contest.
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36th over: Bangladesh 158-6 (Shakib 26, Miraz 7) Pakistan need to take care, because if these two are still at the crease with, say, 10 to go, Bangladesh still have scope to set something challenging. So for now they’re just building, a two and two singles keeping things moving.
“I rarely indulge in crisps because they’re junk food (or UPFs as we have to say these days),” says John Starbuck. “But when I do, it’s always McCoys Flame-grilled Steak but only when paired with a Melton Mowbray pork pie. All the other exotic flavours leave me indifferent.”
My wife really enjoyed Chris van Tulleken’s book on the UPF topic and I try and stay away from such things to stat alive, but meaty crisps tend not to do it for me. I want sharpness of flavour.
35th over: Bangladesh 153-6 (Shakib 23, Miraz 5) Rauf returns but Miraz looks in decent touch and he eases a single to cover, then Shakib takes two to the same region. A further single follows, and both sides are allowing this to drift now. Bangladesh can’t afford to take risks, while Afridi looks Pakistan’s only reliable strike bowler.
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34th over: Bangladesh 149-6 (Shakib 20, Miraz 4) I wonder if Babar is regretting his omission of Nawaz, who’d be very useful right about now. Instead, though, Usama rattles through another over, ceding four singles, and Bangladesh will be lowering what they deem an acceptable total to around 230, I reckon. Good luck (with that plan i just imagined) lads.
33rd over: Bangladesh 145-6 (Shakib 18, Miraz 2) Afridi has a full over at Miraz, who quickly gets down the other end via single. Shakib then forces to cover and they run two, before doing well to jam out a nasty yorker.A single follows, and Pakistan are in total control of this now.
“The absolute God-King of all crisps, reckons Ed Clarke, “were Tesco’s Sea Salt and Cracked Pink Peppercorn, discontinued years past. I still yearn for them, preferably with an insanely strong gin-based cocktail.”
They sound a bit bland for my taste, I’m afraid. Just the other day, I was advising my niece – my wife’s family are Ghanaian, so grew up eating food that tastes, while I was raised on bland Ashkenazi fare – that I first got into hot food, through chilli McCoy’s and spicy Transform-a-Snacks and still want a crisp that, ideally, makes my tongue sore and mouth hurt.
32nd over: Bangladesh 141-6 (Shakib 15, Miraz 1) Bangladesh are in all sorts now, Shakib’s mind most likely made up. He can’t throw hands with so many overs in danger of going unbowled so will, I expect, look to occupy the crease and be grateful for whatever’s on offer – for another 10 overs at least, if the innings lasts that long.
WICKET! Hridoy c Iftikhar b Usama Mir 7 (Bangladesh 140-6)
This could get very messy very quickly. Next ball, Hridoy feels for it outside off but doesn’t move feet in that direction, edging high to slip.
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32nd over: Bangladesh 140-5 (Shakib 15, Hridoy 7) Shakib’s under pressure here: does he stick about, or does he commandeer the innings? He begins this latest Usama over with a single, then Hridoy steps down and mows a sweep that almost spins him around over midwicket for six!
31st over: Bangladesh 133-5 (Shakib 14, Hridoy 1) That’s the thing, isn’t it? When you’ve got a bowler like Afridi, you want him running in pretty much all the time because you know he can make stuff happen at any point. He’s not even bowled that well here, but he’s now joint-leading wicker-taker in the tournament, level with Zampa on 16; imagine what’ll happen if his needle hits the groove. And Hridoy, new to the team today, won’t be relishing the two balls he now has to see off, but Afridi obliges him with a wide, he then bunts one to mid-on to get away, and when Shakib drives, a direct hit allows a snaffled single.
WICKET! Mahmudullah b Afridi 56 (Bangladesh 130-5)
AND THERE IT IS! Afridi comes at Mahmudullah from around, slants in and, off a length, finds a little bit of movement and bounce – enough to beat a set batter in nick, which tells you this is a beauty – before rattling the top of middle. Bangladesh are in a situation; Afridi is a superstar.
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31st over: Bangladesh 130-4 (Mahmudullah 56, Shakib 13) Not before time – in my oh so expert opinion – Babar restores Afridi to his attack. I’m not sure why now, rather than a few overs ago when Shakib was fresh at the crease, but here we are, and he begins with a wide then a single.
30th over: Bangladesh 128-4 (Mahmudullah 56, Shakib 12) Shakib’s working so hard not to get out here, deliberate in his movements and considered in his shots. He’s desperate not to give it away, which is affecting his ability to play naturally so, though it sounds counter-intuitive, its heartening to see him miss a pull because at least he’s trying to attack. They run a leg bye and the over cedes four.
29th over: Bangladesh 124-4 (Mahmudullah 54, Shakib 10) Another quick over from Iftikhar, three singles from it. He quite fancies an lb off its final delivery, but only because ball hit pad; it wasn’t hitting, not a chance.
“Yes!” begins John Foster. “What a treat to find a fellow aficionado of the Co-op Irresistible Hand Cooked Sea Salt & Chardonnay Crisp. Truly eye-watering and bum puckering – proper old school ‘smoker’s crisps’ as my sainted grandmother would say. Paired with a pot of aioli or taramasalata for dipping, you’ve got a snack so indulgent it should only be consumed with a black shroud over your head in order to hide the sin from the eyes of God. Similarly in the Co-op cricket food line, they used to do the very best – mini chicken kiev bites. Like scotch eggs but with garlic butter inside instead of egg and chicken ‘stuff’ instead of sausage meat. Off the shelf, they were innocuous, typical beige buffet fodder, but – and this is the key – left in the packet, in the sun for a few hours, slightly warm and melty inside … they became something else altogether. Tragically they were discontinued a couple of years ago (I know this because I emailed customer services). Keep up the good work, brother in crisp!”
I love crisps so much, I don’t know what to tell you, and “smoker’s crisp” is a lovely phrase. However, I’d be dipping in hummus – the smooth, Kosher kind, not the grainy supermarket sort – though am intrigued that your kiev approach matches mine for Fruit Pastille ice lollies.
28th over: Bangladesh 121-4 (Mahmudullah 52, Shakib 10) Wasim returns and that’s more like it! His loosener is short and wide so Shakib steps forward and slaps to cover, where the fielder should intervene but doesn’t; four. These are the only runs from the over, but the partnership, 19 off 43, is slowly building Maureen Mentum.
27th over: Bangladesh 117-4 (Mahmudullah 52, Shakib 6) It feels like both sides are prepared to let this phase of the game drift: Bangladesh need these two at the crease for as long as possible – ideally they’ll still be there for the last 10 overs – while Pakistan can allow that if the score increases as slowly as currently. This latest go-around from Iftikhar yields four singles, a perfect example of what we just said: the status quo is tolerable to both parties.
26th over: Bangladesh 113-4 (Mahmudullah 50, Shakib 4) Shakib gets down the other end immediately, nurdling to backward square for a single; Mahmudullah responds with a cut to point for another. A further two ones make it four from the over, the second raising Rock me Mahmudullah’s fifty – off 58 deliveries – and what a fine knock it’s been. Coming in under pressure, I can’t recall a false shot, and for as long as he’s at the crease, his team are bang in this.
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25th over: Bangladesh 109-4 (Mahmudullah 48, Shakib 2) “Thirteen deliveries, one single,” announces Nasser of Shakib. “Keep him down.” And Pakistan try to, Iftikhar coming around with the field in tight; he manages five dots, before a single to midwicket means the Bangladesh captain retains strike. I’d be very tempted to, were I Babar, to toss Afridi the globule at this point.
24th over: Bangladesh 108-4 (Mahmudullah 48, Shakib 1) Rauf continues and sends down consecutive leg-side wides, then hits the pad; he appeals, the batters steal a leg bye. Mahmudullah has a problem now: does he keep playing as he has been, attacking whenever possible, or does he try and stay at the crease in the knowledge that if he departs, things could get very grim very quickly. My guess is he lets Shakib settle before doing anything risky, and the skipper gets off the mark with a cut to third man.
23rd over: Bangladesh 104-4 (Mahmudullah 48, Shakib 0) With the new man in, Babar will hope his spinners can rush through a few overs while he settles – Shakib is out of form – and his team rebuild. Another cheap over, one off it, and a run a ball from here will take Bangladesh to 266. I’m sure they’d take that.
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22nd over: Bangladesh 103-4 (Mahmudullah 47, Shakib 0) Babar brings Rauf back, which makes some sense; his spinners haven’t given him the control he needs, so he might as well try and purchase another wicket by reverting to pace. One off the over.
“You can get rid of an ear worm by replacing it with another,” advises John Starbuck. “So how about ‘Mahmudullah’ sung to the Mamma Mia bit of Bohemian Rhapsody?”
Also: Mahmudullah here i go again, Mahmu, how can I resist him.
21st over: Bangladesh 102-4 (Mahmudullah 46, Shakib 0) There’s not much batting to come, so this is the partnership; the last was 79 off 95.
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WICKET! Das c Salman b Iftikhar 45 (Bangladesh 102-4)
Oh man! Das can barely bring himself to leave, standing in shock at the evil he’s perpetrated, plopping a nondescript delivery – is nondescript delivery oxymoron? – into the hands of midwicket. He must’ve lost concentration, turning the face too early and imparting a leading edge; he’ll be feeling very poorly because he was batting nicely and in no trouble whatsoever. That could be a crucial breakthrough.
21st over: Bangladesh 102-3 (Das 45, Mahmudullah 46) Problems for Babar. Das takes one to long on, then Mahmudullah again makes sure not to miss out on a poor ball, flicking fine – finest – off the pads. I actually think the ball hits Rizwan’s glove, but it makes no odds, racing to the fence.
20th over: Bangladesh 96-3 (Das 44, Mahmudullah 41) Pakistan are struggling to sustain pressure, bowling too few good balls and too many bad ones; as I type, Usama flings Das a knee-high full-toss, and swipes it to cow for four. Then, after a dot and a single, Mah mah mah mah mah mah mah mah, mah mah mah mah mah Mamudullah Mamudullah makes room, espying a long hop, making a cuppa, confitting a duck and singing all of Shine on You Crazy Diamond, before hoiking over midwicket for the first six of the innings.
19th over: Bangladesh 81-3 (Das 38, Mahmudullah 32) It’s Iftkhar who returns and he’s gently milked for two singles and a two. The partnership is 62 off 78, and for as long as it lives, Bangladesh can aim to set a target of beyond 250.
“While I don’t really feel like change strips achieve much in cricket (everybody wears white/cream to play tests and it works fine),” says Andrew Cosgrove, “weren’t there change strips for the last World Cup? I seem to remember India had an orange (saffron, I guess) one, and Sri Lanka’s was an excellent yellow.”
That’s exactly my point: change kits aren’t required to help us see what’s going on, but there are some garish beauties we’re not getting, that we fully deserve.
18th over: Bangladesh 81-3 (Das 38, Mahmudullah 32) I wonder if the below is fully true; I’m sure England are enjoying hanging out, but I’m not sure you can have that much fun when getting battered every few days. Still, I’m glad if they’re able to compartmentalise – I don’t require them to suffer for me – and to say they’re in credit is an understatement. Anyroad, two singles then Usama drops short and Das cuts hard, earning four through backward point; both these two are batting with aggression and composure.
17th over: Bangladesh 75-3 (Das 33, Mahmudullah 31) These two are rotating the strike pretty well, Das taking one which allows Mahmudullah to free arms, punishing a short wide one just past the dive at 45. That raises the fifty partnership – off 63 deliveries – and this is some good work from the batters. Seven off the over, and Pakistan need something. Dare Babar give Afridi another couple?
16th over: Bangladesh 68-3 (Das 31, Mahmudullah 23) I keep saying this, but I think teams should have change kits; both today’s sides wearing green feels like a waste. Usama continues and after a single to Mahmudullah, Das goes at him but doesn’t get everything, Rauf sprinting in off the long-on fence … only for the ball to drop fractionally short of his forward dive. The batters run another single, four dots follow, and Pakistan have returned from the break the better.
Updated
15th over: Bangladesh 66-3 (Das 30, Mahmudullah 22) Pakistan have lost control of this a little but continue with Wasim after drinks, hoping the break breaks momentum and also that the ball starts reversing; Waqar advises us that in this competition, he’s done better when it’s older. There’s nary a hint of it for now, but he still rushes through a maiden ad Pakistan needed that, the run-rate up to 4.41.
14th over: Bangladesh 66-3 (Das 30, Mahmudullah 22) What I love about Mahmudullah is his preternatural refusal to miss out on anything that deserves treatment. When Usama strays down leg, he’s tickled around the corner to the fence, a wide follows, then a much better delivery that turns away from the bat as its face is opened; the edge means nothing, as there’s no slip in.
13th over: Bangladesh 61-3 (Das 30, Mahmudullah 21) In comms, Waqar isn’t happy. Pakistan had Bangladesh under the pump but then Rauf let them out by sending down his half-volleys – though he accepts the wicket-ball was a beauty. And this latest Wasim over goes for five singles; Pakistan could use a wicket.
“This match matters a lot for England in terms of Champions Trophy qualification,” writes Steve Rackett. “Pakistan who host the next competition will qualify as hosts. The other qualification places will be decided at this WC. The top seven will qualify bar Pakistan. If, somehow, Bangladesh win this and Pakistan come eighth, England will need to get into the top seven and their game against Netherlands could become a qualification play-off. It still might, but if Pakistan win, England need to finish in the top eight, which seems achievable? In short though, England need a Pakistan win for CT purposes as it gives them a better chance of finishing above Bangladesh.”
And, of course, these rules – in place since 2021 –had somehow eluded England until they were advised of them in Lucknow on Sunday.
12th over: Bangladesh 56-3 (Das 28, Mahmudullah 18) Usama replaces Rauf and that’s good to see; it’s not clear what, if anything, has been done to his hand, but he’s bowling. His first three deliveries yield two singles, but then he strays full and again Mahmudullah refuses to miss out, clouting through cover. Again, the fielder is Shafique, who chases, dives, and pulls the ball back on the fence … but it hits him while he’s in contact with the rope, and a further one means eight from the over. The rebuild is gathering speed, the partnership 33 off 36.
11th over: Bangladesh 48-3 (Das 25, Mahmudullah 13) Mohammad Wasim replaces Afridi and immediately, Das scents opportunity, taking two towards midwicket before timing away a wide one that lifts to backward point for four. That’s a vey good shot – he waited, then administered perfect contact at the top of the bounce. A single follows, then another four, cover-driven by Mahmudullah – he’s in nick – and my rumbling stomach reminds me to advise those with an interest in cricket picnics that Co-op’s Irresistible Hand Cooked Sea Salt & Chardonnay Wine Vinegar crisps are exceptional. Eleven off the over, and Bangladesh needed that.
10th over: Bangladesh 37-3 (Das 19, Mahmudullah 9) Inserting VT into the middle of overs is kind of odd, but who can complain about being reminded of Afghanistan’s behaviour yesterday? Jonathan Trott is doing a brilliant job there but we shouldn’t forget that they’ve impressed in the last two tournaments too; what’s changed, and perhaps this is Trott’s influence, is that they’ve learned ruthless and composure under pressure. Back, though, to our match, Das forces a single to mid-on at that’s the end of a powerplay which has gone very well indeed for Pakistan.
9th over: Bangladesh 36-3 (Das 18, Mahmudullah 9) Babar wants to break the back of this match. I’m sure that’s what motivated the review in the last over, and is also why Afridi continues now; one more wicket, and Bangladesh are close to done for. But with a 6-3 off-side field, he’s to bowl in the channel, rather than at the stumps, and when he pitches up wide and from around, Mahmudallah doesn’t miss out, flinging hands to send four hurtling through point. These are the only runs from the over and deliver yet another reminder: do not bowl full on this pitch.
8th over: Bangladesh 32-3 (Das 18, Mahmudullah 5) Mahmudullah shoves through cover and they run three, which is to say Rauf misses his length again. When he hits it, he’s tricky; when he doesn’t he’s drivable.
REVIEW! NOT OUT!
Going over.
8th over: Bangladesh 29-3 (Das 18, Mahmudullah 2) Rauf is still a little full for the pitch and Mahmudullah runs him away for two; is it just me who can’t stop singing his name to Amadeus? Anyway, after a dot, Rauf angles one in, hitting that shorter length, hits Mahmudullah on the pad and there’s a hopeful appeal as the impact was high; no says the umpire then, at the last second, Babar reviews!
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7th over: Bangladesh 27-3 (Das 18, Mahmudullah 0) This is not what Shakib had in mind when he opted to bat but he probably isn’t that surprised to see it. Still, Mahmudullah is his team’s form batter, such that they have one; this next partnership will need to do something. And it starts nicely, Das driving Afridi’s first ball for four through point, but when he pulls, Usama dives and does he get a hand underneath that? It doesn’t matter because even if he does, the ball pops out, but in comms they think it dropped short; I think he just got there, the back of his hand on the turf, but couldn’t hang on. Oh, and Usama’s hand is bleeding; I think he’ll be OK, but he goes off to have it treated.
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WICKET! Mushfiqur c Rizwan b Rauf 5 (Bangladesh 23-3)
That’s more like it! Rauf adjusts his length, dropping just a little shorter, finds a bit of bounce, and Mushfiqur, squared, feathers behind. The edge wasn’t obvious, but the batter must know because he departs in short order; Bangladesh are struggling in the powerplay yet again!
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6th over: Bangladesh 23-2 (Das 14, Mushfiqur 5) Haris Rauf into the attack and while he warms himself, back to England. I think they’ve really struggled to find the balance of their team – in terms of personnel but also mentality. Of course, the two are connected, but in 2019, they lost to Sri Lanka after keeping it circumspect while chasing a low target, so decided to play the style not the situation and it worked. It’s actually a reason Bazball works too, I think: clear messaging. Back in the middle, though, Das welcomes Rauf to the match in the grand style, driving two overpitched deliveries to the fence, one through mid-off and one mid-on. A dot and a single follow, then Mushfiqur opens the face and glides fo mo behind square on the off side! Thirteen from the over and still a ball to come…
5th over: Bangladesh 10-2 (Das 5, Mushfiqur 1) Afridi is 2-1 off two but has to wait while a sightscreen advertising issue is resolved; cricket is the winner. Then, when we get back under way, Das drives to mid-off and sets off, but Shakeel dives to pull off a fine stop, limiting the damage to a single. It’s the only run from the over, and already Bangladesh have a problem.
4th over: Bangladesh 9-2 (Das 4, Mushfiqur 1) So a terrible start for Bangladesh, who now have to rebuild – can you rebuild nothing? – when they should be throwing hands – while Pakistan have barely got going yet. Three singles off this second Iftikhar over, but really we’re waiting to see what Afridi manages when he has ball in hand and tail up.
3rd over: Bangladesh 6-2 (Das 2, Mushfiqur 0) I thought it’d be Shakib in next but it’s Mushfiqur, who leaves his first delivery … and his second.
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WICKET! Shanto c Usama Mir b Afridi 4 (Bangladesh 6-2)
Bangladesh are in trouble, and this is so avoidable! Shanto flicks off his toes but doesn’t roll his wrists over the ball, which zips to forward short where Usama dives right to take just off the ground. Decent catch, but careless batting.
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3rd over: Bangladesh 6-1 (Das 2, Shanto 4) Das shoves to mid-off and they sprint through for a single.
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2nd over: Bangladesh 5-1 (Das 0, Shanto 0) Looking at the wicket again, I was a little blithe about the review because it was one of those that just looked out. But actually, it was almost missing, so I can totally understand why Tanzid went upstairs. Anyroad, Das gets his team off the mark with a turn around the corner, then Shanto comes a long way down with a chunky stride, soft hands diverting the ball past Afridi at short third. He ought to have stopped that, but instead the ball races away to the fence.
1st over: Bangladesh 0-1 (Das 0, Shanto 0) A wicket-maiden to begin with, and Afridi now has 14 wickets in the tournament, the same as Bumra and Santner but two fewer than Zampa, who leads the way.
REVIEW! OUT!
Yup, the ball nipped in and was going to hit the top of leg.
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REVIEW!
I guess Tanzid felt he had to, but I’m not sure what he’s hoping for here.
WICKET! Tanzid Hasan lbw b Afridi 0 (Bangladesh 0-1)
Tanzid looks to defend one slanted in, hopping back, but pinned on the crease he misses with his waft and wears one on the pad. That’s Afridi’s hundredth ODI wicket.
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1st over: Bangladesh 0-0 (Tanzid 0, Das 0) Shaheen Shah Afridi hasn’t had the tournament he hoped for; that we expected from him. Perhaps he’ll enjoy himself more in the upcoming Test series away to Australia, but he starts well here with four dots…
And play…
Email! “Perhaps one of the reasons for England’s batting being so shoddy is Bazball,” suggests John Starbuck. “Part of this insists that players can be trusted to prepare themselves properly, to the extent that, if they don’t want to have a net, they don’t have to. Not being able to practise in very hot conditions means that, while they’re out on the golf course or sight-seeing, they have neglected the basics, especially facing local bowlers in their own environment. What do you reckon?”
I think that with all sporting failures, especially one as spectacular as this, there’s never one reason. I guess overconfidence might be one, but players losing form together feels most operative to me.
It is, of course, impossible to discuss renditions of TSSB without mentioning Marvin and Whitney, so here they are.
And now our teams. Anthem time – on which point, here’s Flava Flav’s interpretation of The Star-Spangled Banner.
Flavor Flav sings the National Anthem at the Milwaukee Bucks game pic.twitter.com/loNhi94VHr
— Glock Topickz (@Glock_Topickz) October 30, 2023
Here come our umpires.
What do we make of the pitches in this competition? And what are our ideal ODI conditions? I quite like what we’ve seen so far; I’d like a little more pace, I guess, but I’m glad we’re mainly seeing scores of 250-320 rather than 320+. As things have turned out, we’ve still not had close matches, but we’ve time yet. As for ideal ODI conditions, I might want South Africa, where we can have pace, bounce and just a touch of turn.
We’re watching Allan Donald explain how, as Bangladesh coach, he’s built himself a battery of seamers. Of course he has. And he’s got history with this competition…
The last match at Eden Gardens, in which Bangladesh were ravaged by Netherlands, the track had some green grass in the middle, which offered something to the quicks. Today’s offering, however, does not, meaning the onus will be on the spinners to force the game – which makes it odd Pakistan have dropped Nawaz.
Teams!
Bangladesh: Das (wk), Hasan, Shanto, Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur, Mahmudullah, Hridoy, Mehidy, Taskin, Mustafizur, Shoriful.
Pakistan: Shafique, Fahkar, Bbaar (c), Rizwan (wk), Shakeel, Iftikhar, Agha Salman, Afridi, Mir, Wasim, Rauf.
Babar would’ve batted too, and is looking for a big innings, rather than the 40s and 80s he’s been getting so far. His side shows three changes: Fakhar, Salman Agha and Usama come in for Imam, Nawaz and Shadab, who’s still injured.
Updated
Bangladesh win the toss and bat!
He thinks the wicket is dry, will get slower, and take spin at night. “Today’s the day,” says Shakib, “nothing to lose”. He’s disappointed with how his team have played so far, managing a few decent individual performances but nothing collective. Mahedi drops out with Hridoy coming in.
Preamble
Greetings all! And welcome to another glorious day of World Cup CricketTM!
It’s getting to that point, isn’t it? The four nations at the top are pulling away, those in pursuit finally consuming the monstrous margin for error generously donated by a 10-team group. In theory, it’s meant to force lots of meaningful matches; in practise, it’s looking like the better sides will be better enough to leave us needing the semis and final to elevate a fun tournament into a classic.
Pakistan, of course, are capable of beating any team, any time. So far, though, they’ve pretty much aped the form-book, beating Sri Lanka and Netherlands while losing to India, Australia, Afghanistan and South Africa; realistically, they’ll need to win today, then against New Zealand and England too, to have any chance of progression – but we know they’re capable.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, are already firmly ensconced in ignominy after the shame of losing to England. They’ve won just once, against Afghanistan, and everyone else has properly put them over the knee, so really they’re playing for respect – which I’m certain have them up for this one. Let’s do it.
Play: 2pm local, 8.30am GMT
