In the 44th match of the ICC World Cup 2023, England defeated Pakistan by 93 runs at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India on Saturday. This victory secured England’s place in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
England beat Pakistan: During their 338-run target chase, Pakistan was dealt two early blows when David Willey dismissed both of their openers, Abdullah Shafique and Fakhar Zaman, in the first three overs, leaving their side 10-2 in 2.4 overs.
Captain Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan gave the Green Shirts some security, but only after 22.3 overs, with Pakistan four down for 100 runs. This was a slight breakthrough for the side.
Salman Ali Agha scored the most runs (51), leading the struggling Pakistani team. Contributing to 26 runs down the batting line was Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Even though Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim Jr. combined for 53 runs at the end, their heroics were insufficient to overcome the enormous target that the English hitters had set.
The Green Shirts’ World Cup adventure came to an end as they were all out for 244 runs in 43.3 overs.
“England Dominates with a Total of 337: Strong Batting Display Secures Victory in World Cup Encounter”
However, England scored 337 runs when they batted first, thanks to a strong batting performance by their top order.
Their side got off to a commanding start thanks to Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow, who combined to amass 80 runs in 13 overs without conceding a wicket. After being out for 31 runs to Iftikhar Ahmed, the former batsman was the first to head for the pavilion.
Bairstow followed Malan shortly after, and the right-handed, aggressive batsman lost his wicket for 59 runs.
But Joe Root and Ben Stokes established a vital 132-run stand after losing two wickets, which put Jos Buttler’s team in a commanding position.
With 84 runs, mostly from two sixes and eleven fours, Stokes led his team in scoring. Shaheen Afridi bowled the left-handed hitter as he was about to reach his second World Cup century.
Root made 60 runs before falling prey to Afridi.
Buttler (27 off 18) and Harry Brook (30 off 17) however, gave their team crucial runs late in the contest to enable them reach their 338-run objective.
As for Pakistan, Afridi and Wasim Jr. claimed two wickets apiece, Iftikhar could only manage one, while Haris Rauf became the bowler to give up the most runs in a single World Cup edition with three.
Pakistan finished the World Cup with four victories from nine games and eight points, good for fifth place in the standings.
