Fakhar Zaman’s brisk 81-run knock after a combined bowling effort propelled Pakistan to a thumping seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh.

Pakistan beat Bangladesh to keep World Cup dream alive. Babar Azam’s men secure seven-wicket win over Bangladesh

Pakistan defeated Bangladesh Tuesday by seven wickets at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata to keep their hopes of staying in the World Cup alive.

Opting to bat first, Bangladesh’s batting lineup failed completely and could only raise 204 before bundling out in the 46th over despite Mahmudullah’s half-century.

Pakistan ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, alongside Haris Rauf, ran through Bangladesh’s top-order to reduce them to 23/3 in six overs.

Litton Das and Mahmudullah then anchored the innings with a gutsy partnership for the fourth wicket.

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The pair added 79 runs to the total before Iftikhar Ahmed got rid of Das in the 21st over to halt Bangladesh’s progress.

Das fell shy of his well-deserved half-century, scoring 45 in 64 deliveries with the help of six boundaries.

Mahmudullah then put together a brief partnership with captain Shakib Al Hasan before falling victim to a stunning delivery by Shaheen Shah Afridi.

He remained the top-scorer for Bangladesh with a 70-ball 56, laced up with six boundaries and a six.

Skipper Shakib then took charge of Bangladesh’s batting expedition with a cautious 43. His 64-ball featured four boundaries.

All-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz then added valuable runs at the backend with a 30-ball 25 before perishing in the 44th over off Mohammad Wasim Jr.

The right-arm pacer struck again in the same over, castling Taskin Ahmed, to book Bangladesh on a paltry total.

Shaheen Shah Afridi and Wasim Jr led the bowling attack for Pakistan, taking three wickets each while Haris Rauf bagged two

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Agha Salman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf.

Bangladesh: Litton Das (wk), Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Shakib Al Hasan (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Towhid Hridoy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam.