The performances of a lifetime
What a day out at Lord's for Imam-ul-Haq and Shaheen Afridi. Two youngsters who started their WC campaigns disappointingly, but ended with a bang. It is going to be a tough choice for man of the match but Shaheen might just eke it out. But Bangladesh have a lot of positives to carry through after this wonderful campaign.
The openers started decently before Soumya was dismissed off a good catch. Tamim was then left in knots by a Shaheen slower ball and Mushfiq castled himself. Liton Das looked good for a while before being deceived by another slower one from Shaheen.
All this while, Shakib quietly built up another patient half-century before Shaheen nicked him off. Mahmudullah and Mosaddek hung around for a bit but the latter holed out looking for a glory shot. Shaheen then got rid of Mahmudullah with a searing yorker which will make the Top 5 list for 'Balls of the World Cup' easily. He also cleaned up the tail to end up with six wickets.
Of course it was all possible because of a terrific hundred by Imam and a classy 96 by Babar Azam, who was unlucky to miss the century. Tomorrow there is a double header when India take on Sri Lanka and Australia take on South Africa. Do join us for both,and we shall see you then. Tada!
Ban 221 (44.1 overs)
44.1 Shaheen to Mustafizur, WIDE, short ball down leg
44.1 Shaheen to Mustafizur, OUT, was it ever in doubt. Poor Fizz. Got two world-class yorkers and no.11 can do nothing. Yorker on middle and the stumps are disturbed
Mustafizur b Shaheen 1(3)
Ban 220/9 (44 overs)
43.1 Shadab to Mehidy, FOUR, wants to cut, gets an outside edge which runs past slip
43.2 Shadab to Mehidy, DOT, gets forward nicely to defend this
43.3 Shadab to Mehidy, 1 run, yorks himself after coming down, and takes oneafter digging it out to deep mid wicket. Mash was never making it if they ran two
43.4 Shadab to Mortaza, OUT, clever stuff. Knew the Bangla skipper will run down at him, throws it wide, he does dance down and misses it, and it is an easy stumping in the end
Mortaza st Sarfaraz b Shadab 15(14)
The Fizz is the no.11 batsman
43.5Shadab to Mustafizur, DOT.
43.6 Shadab to Mustafizur, 1 run.
Ban 214/8 (43 overs)
Mashrafe Mortaza himself at no.10. He will want to hit a few long ones in his WC game
42.1 Shaheen to Mortaza, SIX, yes he does! Full on middle, he goes after it, and powers it over long on
42.2 Shaheen to Mortaza, DOT, typical response, he goes for a short one, does not rise up as much, defended to point
42.3 Shaheen to Mortaza, 1 run, backs away, advances and hits to deep extra cover
42.4 Shaheen to Mehidy, 1 run, full toss and he gets an outside edge to third man
42.5 Shaheen to Mortaza, DOT, backs away again, Shaheen throws it wide on seeing him, and he misses the slash
42.6 Shaheen to Mortaza, DOT.
Ban 198/8 (40.3 overs)
Mehidy Hasan is the man at no.9
40.3 Shaheen to Mahmudullah, OUT, what a way to get your fifer! That too at Lord's. Literally the dream delivery for a fast bowler. This is a full pace delivery, the arm action left it outside leg stump, the reverse swing brings it into the line of the stumps, lands it on their bases, and there is nothing Mahmud can do. Absolutely nothing. So two youngsters write their names on the Lord's honour board. And he is the youngest ever to pick a fifer
Mahmudullah b Shaheen 18(41)
Ban 197/7 (40.1 overs)
Mohammad Saifuddin is the new man in. Into the final powerplay and this will be a herculean task for Bangladesh.
They are down to their last pair, only because Saifuddin played a blinder against India last time out. Let's see how these last 10 overs pan out. Shaheen is back.
40.1 Shaheen to Saifuddin, OUT, strikes first ball again! Literally the first ball for Saif, he comes down the wicket and hammers it down the ground, but it is an easy catch for mid off
Saifuddin c Amir b Shaheen 0(1)
Ban 197/6 (39.4 overs)
39.1 Shadab to Mosaddek, FOUR, short and wide, asking for trouble, cut away past backward point and short third man
39.2 Shadab to Mosaddek, 1 run, down the ground
39.3 Shadab to Mahmudullah, 1 run, driven strongly down the ground and Imad at mid on smiles after he stops it with a dive
39.4 Shadab to Mosaddek, OUT, gone. First wicket for Shadab today. Comes down the wicket and looks for the big shot, gets it off the toe end and much straighter than he wanted. Easy catch for wide long off
Mosaddek c Babar b Shadab 16(21)
Ban 191/5 (39 overs)
38.1 Riaz to Mahmudullah, DOT, angled across outside off, he misses the steer
38.2 Riaz to Mahmudullah, 3 runs, flicks this away to deep mid wicket and Imam does really well in the deep. Has had a good day today. Still checking the boundary though. No harm done, he has saved one
38.3 Riaz to Mosaddek, DOT, short and he looks to pull, mistimes to mid on
38.4 Riaz to Mosaddek, 1 run, wide full toss, played to deep extra cover
38.5 Riaz to Mahmudullah, FOUR, short ball, he looks to pull and gets a top edge over the keeper
38.6 Riaz to Mahmudullah, DOT.
Ban 183/5 (38 overs)
Shadab is back.
37.1 Shadab to Mahmudullah, DOT, spinning away from off, played to backward point
37.2 Shadab to Mahmudullah, 2 runs, dropped at long off! Was a difficult chance though. This was full on middle, Mahmud went for the big hit down the ground, it goes high up and falls short of a diving long off
37.3 Shadab to Mahmudullah, 1 run.
37.4 Shadab to Mosaddek, DOT, driven to extra cover
37.5 Shadab to Mosaddek, 2 runs, gets an inside edge on the push, takes two
37.6 Shadab to Mosaddek, DOT.
Ban 178/5 (37 overs)
36.1 Riaz to Mosaddek, 1 run, length on leg, turned to square leg
36.2 Riaz to Mahmudullah, DOT, slower full ball, looks to flick but gets an outside edge
36.3 Riaz to Mahmudullah, DOT, length on leg again, defended to mid wicket this time
36.4 Riaz to Mahmudullah, DOT, defended to mid on
36.5 Riaz to Mahmudullah, FOUR, looks to push this angled ball without any feet, gets an outside edge that runs to the third man ropes
36.6 Riaz to Mahmudullah, 1 run.
Ban 168/5 (35 overs)
Mosaddek Hossain is in at no.7. Wahab Riaz is back.
34.1 Riaz to Mahmudullah, 1 run, some reverse swing away from off stump, steered to third man
34.2 Riaz to Mosaddek, 1 run, length ball on leg, glanced to fine leg
34.3 Riaz to Mahmudullah, DOT, slower length ball wide of off, beats the attempted cut
34.4 Riaz to Mahmudullah, 1 run, pushes this length ball outside off firmly to deep cover
34.5 Riaz to Mosaddek, 1 run, plays straight to point who misfields and allows an easy run in the end
34.6 Riaz to Mahmudullah, DOT.
Ban 154/5 (32.1 overs)
That last ball, Mahmudullah inside edged the ball onto his groin, and he is in some pain. Gets tended to by the physio, so the players have a short break in the middle.
32.1 Shaheen to Shakib, OUT, big wicket, that is the most important wicket in this WC. But what a tournament he has had. Fitting that he has ended it with a fifty. Has scored seven in a row, and that is a dream run. But this wicket may have signed Bangladesh's death warrant. This is fuller on off, he looks to drive it away without feet, gets an outside edge which carries behind easily
Shakib c Sarfaraz b Shaheen 64(77)
Ban 154/4 (32 overs)
Amir is back.
31.1 Amir to Shakib, DOT, length ball outside off, he chops the cut
31.2 Amir to Shakib, 2 runs, looks to push this length ball on off without feet, gets an outside edge wide of third man
31.3 Amir to Shakib, DOT, full on off now, defended back down
31.4 Amir to Shakib, DOT, angled in length ball keeps a bit low, he plays to short mid wicket
31.5 Amir to Shakib, 1 run, the bat is angled before the ball hits it and deflects to third man
31.6 Amir to Mahmudullah, DOT.
Ban 151/4 (31 overs)
30.1 Shaheen to Mahmudullah, DOT.
30.2 Shaheen to Mahmudullah,1 run, full on the pads, flicked to deep square leg
30.3 Shaheen to Shakib, 2 runs, slower length ball outside off, deftly steered to third man
30.4 Shaheen to Shakib, WIDE, too far down leg and Sarfaraz does well to not give away more extras
30.4 Shaheen to Shakib, 1 run, angling down leg, glanced to fine leg
30.5 Shaheen to Mahmudullah, 1 run, round the wicket and angling in on off, steered to third man
30.6 Shaheen to Shakib, 1 run.
Ban 144/4 (30 overs)
Mahmudullah walks out at no.6
29.1 Shadab to Mahmudullah, DOT, tossed up outside off, driven to point
29.2 Shadab to Mahmudullah, DOT, on middle now, driven down and short cover does very well
29.3 Shadab to Mahmudullah, DOT, spinning away from off, played to point
29.4 Shadab to Mahmudullah, FOUR, if off side does not work, the leg side will. Full and flighted, he slog sweeps to a vacant deep mid wicket fence
29.5 Shadab to Mahmudullah, DOT, length ball steered to short third man
29.6 Shadab to Mahmudullah, 1 run.
Ban 136/4 (28.1 overs)
Shaheen Afridi is back.
28.1 Shaheen to Liton, OUT, and he strikes right away! Steams in from round the wicket, and bowls full, but it is the slower one again, Das was through with the shot before the ball came to him chips an easy catch to short cover
Liton c Haris b Shaheen 32(40)
Ban 136/3 (28 overs)
27.1 Shadab to Liton, 1 run, short and pulled to deep mid wicket
27.2 Shadab to Shakib, FOUR, leg spinner on leg, glanced past the keeper for an easy boundary
27.3 Shadab to Shakib, 1 run.
27.4 Shadab to Liton, DOT.
27.5 Shadab to Liton, FOUR, great shot! Gets it full and slog sweeps it well wide of mid wicket and long on
27.6 Shadab to Liton, 1 run.
Ban 125/3 (27 overs)
26.1 Imad to Liton, 1 run, short and wide, cut to deep point
26.2 Imad to Shakib, DOT.
26.3 Imad to Shakib, DOT, chipped and just falls short of short mid wicket
26.4 Imad to Shakib, 1 run, down the track and he mistimes the hoick to long on
26.5 Imad to Liton, DOT, gets a leading edge on the onside drive
26.6 Imad to Liton, 1 run.
Can they sign off with a win?
Ban 111/3 (24 overs)
23.1 Shadab to Liton, 1 run, played to deep extra cover
23.2 Shadab to Shakib, DOT, the bowler fields well
23.3 Shadab to Shakib, 1 run, turned to square leg
23.4Shadab to Liton, 1 run, full outside off, pushed to long off
23.5 Shadab to Shakib, 1 run, nudged to mid wicket
23.6 Shadab to Liton, 2 runs.
Ban 105/3 (23 overs)
22.1 Imad to Liton, DOT.
22.2 Imad to Liton, 1 run, pushed to long off
22.3 Imad to Shakib, DOT.
22.4 Imad to Shakib, FOUR, short ball wide of off, he looks to cut and gets a thick outside edge which runs away to the third man ropes
22.5 Imad to Shakib, 1 run, inside edges the slog sweep to mid wicket
22.6 Imad to Liton, 1 run.
Ban 98/3 (22 overs)
Shadab Khan into the attack now.
21.1 Shadab to Shakib, DOT, full on off, wristily played to short mid wicket
21.2 Shadab to Shakib, 1 run.
21.3 Shadab to Liton, DOT, played to cover
21.4 Shadab to Liton, FOUR, good shot and well placed too. Full on middle, he got low, took his leg out of the way and slog swept to deep mid wicket
21.5 Shadab to Liton, DOT, tucked to mid wicket
21.6 Shadab to Liton, 1 run.
Ban 92/3 (21 overs)
20.1 Imad to Liton, DOT, clips the pad on the way past leg stump
20.2 Imad to Liton, DOT, full and pushed back to Imad
20.3 Imad to Liton, FOUR, deft! Full on leg stump, he shuffled across, got low, and merely touched it past the keeper. Not even a paddle or glance
20.4 Imad to Liton, 1 run, driven to long on
20.5 Imad to Shakib, 1 run, pushes this full one to long on
20.6 Imad to Liton, DOT.
Ban 86/3 (20 overs)
19.1 Riaz to Shakib, 1 run, length angling on leg, flicked to deep backward square
19.2 Riaz to Liton, WIDE, length ball wide of off, left alone. Strangely given wide
19.2 Riaz to Liton, DOT, defends this length ball down the wicket
19.3 Riaz to Liton, DOT, punches this back of a length delivery, and point does extremely well to stop it
19.4 Riaz to Liton, DOT, full and wide now, square driven straight to backward point
19.5 Riaz to Liton, DOT, short ball sailing over leg stump
19.6 Riaz to Liton, 1 run.
Ban 79/3 (18 overs)
They took drinks after that wicket. Liton Das at no.5. One diminutive keeper-batsman replaces another
17.3 Riaz to Liton, DOT, length ball wide of off, played to point
17.4 Riaz to Liton, DOT, goes back of a length, which is essentially short for Liton, he defends after jumping up
17.5 Riaz to Liton, DOT, angled across again outside off, defended to cover point
17.6 Riaz to Liton, 1 run.
Ban 78/3 (17.2 overs)
17.1 Riaz to Shakib, 1 run, hit straight to mid on who fails to prevent the single
17.2 Riaz to Rahim, OUT, gone! Just when the partnership was blossoming. Length ball angled across outside off, he wanted to dab it down Mushfiq, but got an inside edge onto his off stump
Rahim b Riaz 16(19)
Ban 77/2 (17 overs)
Imad Wasim into the attack now.
16.1 Imad to Rahim, DOT, length on off, defended
16.2 Imad to Rahim, DOT, length outside off, steered to short third man
16.3 Imad to Rahim, 1 run, short and wide, cut to deep point
16.4 Imad to Shakib, 1 run, fuller outside off, played to deep point
16.5 Imad to Rahim, DOT, darts it in on middle, punched back
16.6 Imad to Rahim, DOT.
Ban 75/2 (16 overs)
15.1 Riaz to Shakib, DOT, short and wide, should have been put away, he misses the cut
15.2 Riaz to Shakib, DOT, surprise short ball, he awkwardly fends to the off side
15.3 Riaz to Shakib, 1 run, length ball straying on the pads, tucked to fine leg
15.4 Riaz to Rahim, 1 run, length outside off, steered to third man
15.5 Riaz to Shakib, DOT, pacy length ball, he fails to flick it away
15.6 Riaz to Shakib, DOT.
Ban 67/2 (14 overs)
Wahab Riaz into the attack.
13.1 Riaz to Rahim, FOUR, a hostile welcome. Back of a length outside off, he leans into the punch and gets it to deep point
13.2 Riaz to Rahim, 1 run, steered to third man
13.3 Riaz to Shakib, 2 runs, played wide of third man for a couple
13.4 Riaz to Shakib, DOT, gets an inside edge on the drive off this full ball
13.5 Riaz to Shakib, DOT, length on off stump, defended straight back
13.6 Riaz to Shakib, 1 run.
Ban 59/2 (13 overs)
12.1 Shaheen to Shakib, 1 run, big, friendly full toss, driven straight to mid on for a quick single
12.2 Shaheen to Rahim, DOT.
12.3 Shaheen to Rahim, 1 run, back of a length outside off, played with an open face past point
12.4 Shaheen to Shakib, DOT, good, pacy short ball, surprised Shakib there who pulls out of the pull
12.5 Shaheen to Shakib, DOT, good yorker outside off, dug out to cover
12.6 Shaheen to Shakib,DOT.
Ban 57/2 (12 overs)
Mushfiqur Rahim joins Shakib at the crease.
11.1 Hafeez to Rahim, DOT,
11.2 Hafeez to Rahim, 1 run, nudges the length ball to square leg. 50 up
11.3 Hafeez to Shakib, DOT, darts it in on off, played back
11.4 Hafeez to Shakib, 1 run, almost a yorker, driven to long off
11.5 Hafeez to Rahim, FOUR, oh almost a repeat of his India dismissal! There was a square leg inside the circle for the sweep, he sweeps anyway, but gets it wide of that man
11.6Hafeez to Rahim, 2 runs.
Ban 48/2 (10.4 overs)
End of first powerplay and Bangladesh will be okay with this start. Shakib is out there looking as good as ever and Tamim needs one boundary to get going. These two should look to bat long.
10.1 Shaheen to Shakib, DOT, fuller length on off, defended on the front foot
10.2 Shaheen to Shakib, 1 run, length at his body, tucked to square leg, Shaheen chased after it and so Tamim refused the second
10.3Shaheen to Tamim, DOT, defends the length ball to the leg side
10.4Shaheen to Tamim, OUT, knocked him over! And the airplane celebration is out. This youngster has really hit his stride in the latter part of the WC. Rolls his fingers across on this length ball, completely bamboozles Tamim, who was looking to defend, and it went through his gate. Fitting that he ends his WC campaign by misreading a delivery
Tamim b Shaheen 8(21)
Fizz reached a landmark earlier today
Ban 40/1 (9 overs)
Shaheen Afridi into the attack now.
8.1 Shaheen to Tamim, DOT, starts with a fuller length on off, he tucks to mid on, and sends Shakib back in time
8.2 Shaheen to Tamim, 1 run, played to mid wicket for a single
8.3 Shaheen to Shakib, DOT, goes fuller on the stumps, he defends down the wicket
8.4 Shaheen to Shakib, DOT, looks to pull this short one away, mistimes it and it drops near his boots
8.5 Shaheen to Shakib, 1 run, length ball angling in at pace, steered at the last minute to third man
8.6 Shaheen to Tamim, DOT.
Ban 38/1 (8 overs)
7.1 Amir to Shakib, FOUR, angling in on a length, he easily flicks past mid wicket for an easy boundary. For him that is
7.2 Amir to Shakib, DOT, short and cramping him for room, Amir indicating that it zipped through a bit. Shakib misses his cut
7.3 Amir to Shakib, DOT, goes full now, on middle, defended back
7.4 Amir to Shakib, DOT, length on off, he tooks to turn it away, gets a slight leading edge to the off side
7.5 Amir to Shakib,1 run, full and straying on the pads, flicked to deep square leg
7.6 Amir to Tamim, 1 run.
Ban 32/1 (7 overs)
The player of the World Cup is in at no.3.
6.1 Hafeez to Shakib, DOT, played back to the bowler
6.2 Hafeez to Shakib, DOT.
6.3 Hafeez to Shakib, DOT, full outside off, driven back to Hafeez
6.4 Hafeez to Shakib, DOT, dropped short and angled in on leg, punched to cover
6.5 Hafeez to Shakib, FOUR, as I said- man in form. Dropped short again, he rocks back and pulls to deep mid wicket
6.6 Hafeez to Shakib, 1 run.
Ban 26/1 (5.5 overs)
5.1 Amir to Soumya, DOT, nice indipping knuckle ball, the batsman is beaten by pace or the lack of it, gets an inside edge on the drive to the pad
5.2 Amir to Soumya, FOUR, full and angling in, driven off the inside half to deep mid wicket
5.3 Amir to Soumya, DOT, short and wide, misses out as he mistimes the punch to point
5.4 Amir to Soumya, DOT, played to point
5.5 Amir to Soumya, OUT, super catch! Typical Pakistan this. They drop a dolly and take blinders. So indicative of their WC campaign and in general too. This was a length ball wide of off, Soumya punched aerially, it was dipping on cover point but he took a good, low catch
Soumya c Fakhar b Amir 22(22)
Ban 22/0 (5 overs)
4.1 Hafeez to Soumya, FOUR, comes down the track and crashes this inside out cover drive past the flock of fielders on the off side
4.2 Hafeez to Soumya, 1 run, comes down again, and pushes this to mid on
4.3 Hafeez to Tamim, 1 run, full on middle, nudged to square leg
4.4Hafeez to Soumya, DOT, played to short cover
4.5Hafeez to Soumya, DOT, to cover point now
4.6Hafeez to Soumya, 1 run.
4.4Hafeez to Soumya,
Ban 15/0 (4 overs)
3.1 Amir to Tamim, 1 run, full and angling in on middle, flicked to mid on for a quick single
3.2 Amir to Soumya, DOT, length on off, defended to cover
3.3Amir to Soumya, 1 run, outside edge and falls short of third man. Went looking for the drive on this full and wide away swinger
3.4 Amir to Tamim, DOT, edged and falls short of Sarfaraz. Bounces just in front of him as he went one handed. Lot of drama here
3.5 Amir to Tamim, DOT, length on off, he comes forward and pushes to mid off
3.6 Amir to Tamim, DOT.
Ban 8/0 (2 overs)
Mohammad Amir from the other end. The blow to the elbow has not dimmed Sarfaraz's enthusiasm one bit. Still is as chirpy as ever
1.1 Amir to Soumya, 2runs, full on leg, clipped to fine leg, and Soumya and Bangladesh are off the mark
1.2Amir to Soumya, FOUR, and there's the first boundary! Length ballwide of off, he reached out and drove on the up, and past the covers
1.3Amir to Soumya, DOT, beats the bat! Length ball on off, moving away off the pitch, and past the edge
1.4Amir to Soumya, 1 run, dropped at slip! Soumya was hanging back looking to defend, it catches the outside edge, and Haris drops a dolly
1.5Amir to Tamim, 1 run, and Pakistan are knocked out of the WC. Bangladesh have scored 8 and they needed to get them out before that. Was never gonna happen and the Kiwis will breathe a sigh of relief
1.6 Amir to Soumya, DOT.
Ban 0/0 (1 over)
Tamim and Soumya open for Bangladesh yet again. The target is similar to that of the India game, and they will want to give their captain a winning WC send-off. Good news for Pakistan- their skipper will keep for them, not that they had any other options. Spin to start things off here as well, Mohammad Hafeez with the new ball.
0.1 Hafeez to Tamim, DOT, starts off full on off, defended on the front foot
0.2 Hafeez to Tamim, DOT, drifting in full on off, defended again
0.3 Hafeez to Tamim, DOT, full again, no width at all, nudged to mid wicket
0.4 Hafeez to Tamim, DOT, pushed back to Hafeez
0.5 Hafeez to Tamim, DOT, comes down and drives to extra cover
0.6 Hafeez to Tamim, DOT, maiden to start!
Pak 315/9 (50 overs)
So Pakistan have made the minimum required score to go to the semis but have to knock Bangladesh out for 0, which we can safely say is not gonna happen.
49.1 Mustafizur to Imad, 2 runs, friendly full toss and heaved to deep mid wicket for a couple
49.2 Mustafizur to Imad, FOUR, smart, very smart! Backed away to open up the off side, got a low full toss, and he slashed it away past point
49.3 Mustafizur to Imad, DOT, dances around in the crease before deciding to shuffle across and scoop, misses the length ball altogether
49.4 Mustafizur to Imad, OUT, gone now! Slow short ball wide of off by the Fizz, Imad slashes it away, gets it high in the air and third man takes it reverse-cupped. But this is a superb innings, gave some momentum to Pakistan at the end
Imad c Mahmudullah bMustafizur 43(26)
Shaheen Afridi is probably the last man in
49.5 Mustafizur to Amir, OUT, second fifer in a row! One against India and one against Pakistan. Chose the perfect opponents to pull it off. Another slower short ball, Amir backed away and found an outside edge on the attempted carve away.
Amir c Rahim bMustafizur 8(6)
The skipper walks out! He is in pain and has to face a hat-trick delivery. He will go for the yorker for sure
49.6 Mustafizur to Sarfaraz, 1 run, does not go for it! Length ball, and Sarfaraz can do nothing but defend and run. Pakistan end on 315!
Pak 308/7 (49 overs)
48.1 Saifuddin to Imad, 1 run, pulled and falls short of deep mid wicket! Slow short ball and Soumya just could not get to it. Was horribly mistimed so that helped him
48.2 Saifuddin to Amir, 2 runs, low full toss outside off, Amir backed away but reached out and got it past backward point
48.3 Saifuddin to Amir, 1 run, shuffles across looking to scoop, only does so as far as short of short fine leg
48.4 Saifuddin to Imad, FOUR, he is playing a gem! Full and slow outside off, he backed away and carved it past extra cover
48.5 Saifuddin to Imad, FOUR, and one more! Short and wide this time, he slashes at it and gets it to deep extra cover again
48.6 Saifuddin to Imad, 1 run.
Pak 295/7 (48 overs)
Shadab Khan is the new man in
47.1 Mustafizur to Shadab, OUT, excellent catch! He bowled this full on middle, just short of yorker length, Shadab wanted to flick, gets a leading edge, and the Fizz got down low to his left on the follow through, and took it one-handed inches from the ground
Shadab c & bMustafizur 1(2)
Mohammad Amir walks out to the middle, still in the process of wearing his gloves, clearly he was not expecting to come out today
47.2 Mustafizur to Amir, DOT, length ball angled in, played back to him. He wants to keep Imad off strike so works out well
47.3 Mustafizur to Amir, FOUR, he wants to prove a point here! Full outside off, he drives it on the up past extra cover, would have put top order batsmen to shame that shot
47.4 Mustafizur to Amir, 1 run, angled in length ball, he backs away and fends to square leg
47.5 Mustafizur to Imad, DOT, Mushfiq appeals but he is always like that. And Imad has his hands on the hips. Wanted this short ball to be given a wide and stares at the square leg umpire
47.6 Mustafizur to Imad, 1 run.
Pak 288/6 (46.5 overs)
46.5 Saifuddin to Riaz, OUT, top nut! Perfectly executed yorker on middle stump, Wahab backed away looking to slog, but can do nothing about it
Riaz b Saifuddin 2(4)
Pak 279/5 (46 overs)
This is bad news- Sarfaraz Ahmed is walking back retired hurt. Has a few words of advice for Imad, and the umpires allow him the leeway. Nice to see a couple of Bangladesh players wish him well as he walks off. Wahab Riaz replaces the skipper.
45.1 Mustafizur to Imad, FOUR, poor fielding yet again! The Tigers really have been sloppy. This is short and wide, he cuts it away very well to deep point and the man dived over the ball. Horror
45.2 Mustafizur to Imad, FOUR, and another! Low full toss on leg, he flicks it away well, and into the backward square ropes
45.3 Mustafizur to Imad, 1 run, gets it short and he ramps it to third man
45.4 Mustafizur to Riaz, 1 leg byes, length on leg stump, tucked off the pads to square leg
46.5 Mustafizur to Imad, 1 run, short and he does well to defend it to cover
46.6 Mustafizur to Riaz, 1 run.
Pak 267/5 (45 overs)
Okay, he is back up but is still visibly in pain, still grimacing
44.3 Saifuddin to Sarfaraz, 1 run, does the right thing, softly defends this length ball and calls Imad through
44.4 Saifuddin to Imad, NO BALL, 1 run, almost a repeat! Saif has overstepped and Imad hit this full ball straight past but wide of his skipper this time. Free hit for the skipper
44.4 Saifuddin to Sarfaraz, 1 run, gets it in the slot and looks to hoick it away, mistimes it to deep mid wicket
44.5 Saifuddin to Imad, FOUR, short and wide, was very slow, Imad waited ages on it before slashing it away to deep point. Well watched and well placed
44.6 Saifuddin to Imad, WIDE, too wide past the tramline
44.6 Saifuddin to Imad, 1 run.
Pak 257/5 (44.2 overs)
Skipper is in at no.7 and he is not known for his big hitting these days. Will look to rotate strike and let Imad attack. By the way, Haris was the Fizz's 100th ODI wicket, in just 54 matches. Is fourth-fastest to the landmark, along with Shane Bond. Saifuddin is back.
44.1 Saifuddin to Imad, DOT, fuller on off, angled across, beats the push which was done without any feet
44.2Saifuddin to Imad, 1 run, that must have hurt! It was a full ball, Imad backed away and hammered it down, Sarfaraz is not able to get out of the way in time. Hit his elbow maybe and he is down here.
The physio is attending to him here. Imad was actually disappointed that it has not gone for four, good intent I must say. Not very humane but you can understand his displeasure. Sarfaraz looks really hurt here, 3-4 Bangladeshi players also surround him. Gets some spray applied on it, and the elbow has swollen up badly. Man, you can imagine how hard Imad hit it. Pakistan will hope he is okay, because his presence is needed in the second half of the match.
Pak 255/5 (43.5 overs)
Imad Wasim comes in ahead of his skipper
43.1 Mustafizur to Haris, FOUR, classy! Full outside off, and he times the drive ever so sweetly past short cover
43.2 Mustafizur to Haris, WIDE, angled too far down leg
43.2 Mustafizur to Haris, DOT, slower short ball, he ducked under it
43.3 Mustafizur to Haris, 1 run, low full toss on the stumps, flicked to deep backward square
43.4 Mustafizur to Imad, 1 run, great yorker, he backed away and dug it out to mid on
43.5 Mustafizur to Haris, OUT, big wicket! Slower short ball, Haris backed away and looked to slash, was through too early with it, and sweeper cover takes a relatively easy catch
Haris c Soumya bMustafizur 6(6)
Pak 248/4 (42.4 overs)
Haris Sohail is the new man in and he is in good form.
42.4 Mehidy to Hafeez, OUT, he gets out to the slog sweep yet again. He had to go for it granted but as the most experienced batsman in the line-up, should know better which shots to hit. This is not quite the length for a slog sweep, he hits it anyway and holes out to deep backward square leg
Hafeez c Shakib b Mehidy 27(25)
Pak 246/3 (41.5 overs)
On the last ball of the last over, Imam wanted a third, would have got him the century but Hafeez was not interested. Rightly so, he does not want to rush things, Imam has enough time to complete it. The Fizz is back.
41.1 Mustafizur to Hafeez, 1 run, steers this length ball from round the wicket to third man
The crowd is buzzing now
41.2 Mustafizur to Imam, DOT, oh nervy! Gets a full one outside, he pushes to mid off, Hafeez had set off, and he is sent back just in time
41.3Mustafizur to Imam, 1 run, there it is! Imam needed this. More than Babar, more than anyone else. He is a supremely good technical batsman but was just not getting the big ones after a start. Today he has played extremely well, and fittingly gets the single with a push to long on. He has gathered most of his runs through that shot and writes his name on the Lord's honour board with another one. He is the youngest Pakistani batsman to score a 100 at Lord's and follows his great uncle, Inzaman-ul-Haq, in doing so
41.4 Mustafizur to Hafeez, 1 run.
41.5 Mustafizur to Imam, OUT, oh this is unlucky. Or ignorant, depends on whose side you are. Imam was sat deep in his crease to power the slower cutter, gets a length ball, he tucks to square leg, but in the process goes back too far and steps on the stumps
Imam hit-wicket b Mustafizur 100(100)
Pak 243/2 (41 overs)
We are in the final powerplay and Pakistan desperately need atleast a 100 more. To have a remote chance and also a challenging total to try and win this.
40.1 Shakib to Hafeez, 1 run, punched to deep extra cover
40.2Shakib to Imam, 1 run, wristily works this full ball to long on. Goes to 97
40.3Shakib to Hafeez, FOUR, great shot! Well flighted outside off, he positions himself well and goes inside out over extra cover
40.4Shakib to Hafeez, FOUR, and another! Down leg now, he easily glances it away past short fine leg
40.5Shakib to Hafeez, 1 run, dropped a bit short, and he turns this to mid wicket
40.6Shakib to Imam, 2 runs, goes to 99!
Pak 230/2 (40 overs)
Mehidy is back.
39.1 Mehidy to Imam, DOT, flicked to short mid wicket
39.2 Mehidy to Imam, 1 run, glanced to short fine leg and quick single taken
39.3 Mehidy to Hafeez, WIDE, 1 run, way down leg and they take the bye
39.3Mehidy to Imam, DOT.
39.4Mehidy to Imam, DOT, drifted in on middle and punched back
39.5 Mehidy to Imam, 2 runs, nudges to short mid wicket and overthrows gives him another
39.6 Mehidy to Imam, DOT.
Can they do it?
Pak 216/2 (38 overs)
37.1 Mortaza to Imam, 1 run, angles it in on a length, Imam pushes it to long on on the front foot
37.2 Mortaza to Hafeez, 1 run, length on the hips, flicked to fine leg on the jump
37.3 Mortaza to Imam, FOUR, some aggression finally! Comes down and thumps this length ball wide of off up and over cover
37.4 Mortaza to Imam, DOT, goes fuller Mash and gets a firm defence as a reply
37.5 Mortaza to Imam, DOT, short, he wants to pull but is too high for him
37.6 Mortaza to Imam, 1 run.
Pak 209/2 (37 overs)
36.1 Shakib to Imam, DOT.
36.2Shakib to Imam, 1 run, well flighted on off, wristily played to long on
36.3Shakib to Hafeez, 1 run, comes down, yorks himself but has enough width, drives to wide long off
36.4Shakib to Imam, 1 run, quick single after nudging to square leg
36.5Shakib to Hafeez, 1 run, a bit short, and it is punched down the wicket
36.6Shakib to Imam, 1 run.
Pak 204/2 (36 overs)
We are back after drinks. The skipper is back to bowl.
35.1 Mortaza to Imam, DOT, angled in from round the wicket, pushed to short mid wicket
35.2 Mortaza to Imam, 1 run, length ball outside off now, punched to long on
35.3 Mortaza to Hafeez, FOUR, good shot this. Slower full ball wide of off, he came down a step and hammers this over extra cover. 200 up
35.4 Mortaza to Hafeez, 2 runs, short and wide, he cuts very well, third man does well to come across and cut it off
35.5 Mortaza to Hafeez, DOT, goes fuller and closer to the off stump, pushed to short cover
35.6 Mortaza to Hafeez, DOT.
Pak 197/2 (35 overs)
Shakib is back. Can he strike?
34.1 Shakib to Imam, DOT, goes back to defend this flighted ball
34.2 Shakib to Imam, DOT, full and played to short mid wicket
34.3 Shakib to Imam, 1 run, full again, and worked to long on
34.4 Shakib to Hafeez, 1 run, floated up on off, pushed firmly to long off
34.5 Shakib to Imam, 1 run, driven to long on now
34.6 Shakib to Hafeez, DOT.
Pak 194/2 (34 overs)
Mohammad Hafeez in at no.4
33.1 Saifuddin to Imam, FOUR, full and outside off, he leans a bit and crunches the square drive past backward point
33.2 Saifuddin to Imam, 2 runs, length on the pads now, tucked to deep backward square
33.3 Saifuddin to Imam, DOT, full and defended to point
33.4 Saifuddin to Imam, 1 run, another one on the pads, nudged to square leg
33.5 Saifuddin to Hafeez, DOT, defends the length ball to short mid wicket
33.6 Saifuddin to Hafeez, DOT.
Pak 180/2 (32 overs)
Saifuddin is back.
31.1 Saifuddin to Imam, 3 runs, starts full on the pads, flicked well, and the deep fielder does well to save one
31.2 Saifuddin to Azam, 1 run, full and driven to long on
31.3 Saifuddin to Imam, WIDE, down leg and Imam is furious because he did not glance it away
31.3 Saifuddin to Imam, 1 run, length outside off, played to third man
31.4 Saifuddin to Azam, FOUR, he is getting a move on! Walks down and punches this length ball to deep extra cover. Into the nineties he goes
31.5 Saifuddin to Azam, FOUR, and another! Drifting on the pads, he simply flicks it away past short fine leg to go to 96
31.6 Saifuddin to Azam, OUT, finger goes up! But Babar went for the DRS immediately. Full toss tailing in, he had come down and was looking to flick, wore it on the front pad though. No inside edge and he may be dead here. And that is three reds! He falls 4 short of a century
Azam lbw bSaifuddin 96(98)
Pak 166/1 (31 overs)
30.1 Mehidy to Imam, DOT, refuses the quick single, and sensibly so
30.2 Mehidy to Imam, 1 run, pushed to long off
30.3 Mehidy to Azam, 1 run, played to square leg
30.4 Mehidy to Imam, 1 run, nice press forward and pushed to deep cover
30.5 Mehidy to Azam, DOT, straighter ball dropped short, punched to extra cover
30.6 Mehidy to Azam, DOT.
Pak 163/1 (30 overs)
29.1 Mustafizur to Imam, 1 run, full outside off, firmly pushed to mid off and quick single taken
29.2 Mustafizur to Azam, FOUR, super shot. Not a very short ball, Babar stays on the front foot and pulls to the deep mid wicket fence
29.3 Mustafizur to Azam, 1 run, strays onto the pads now, flicked to deep square leg
29.4 Mustafizur to Imam, 1 run, short and pulled straight to deep square leg
29.5 Mustafizur to Azam, FOUR, authoritative! Short again, Babar was ready, he pulled it beautifully, and into the square leg stands
29.6 Mustafizur to Azam, FOUR, three in the over! Short yet again, and pulled again to square leg
Pak 148/1 (29 overs)
Mehidy is back with the older ball.
28.1 Mehidy to Azam, 1 run, to wide long on
28.2 Mehidy to Imam, DOT, drifted on off, defended
28.3 Mehidy to Imam, 1 run.
28.4 Mehidy to Azam, DOT, comes down and works it to short mid wicket
28.5 Mehidy to Azam, 1 run, full and bunted to long on
28.6 Mehidy to Imam, 1 run.
Pak 144/1 (28 overs)
27.1 Mustafizur to Azam, 1 run, length ball angling in from round the wicket, steered to third man
27.2 Mustafizur to Imam, 1 run, length again, cramping him for room, he lets it come to him and opens the face at the last second to get it to third man
27.3 Mustafizur to Azam, FOUR, short and he turns and pulls very well, past short mid wicket and it is good enough to beat the deep fielder's dive as well
27.4 Mustafizur to Azam, DOT, expected response, goes short outside off, Babar leaves it alone thinking it will be wide but not given. Should have been, was way over his head
27.5 Mustafizur to Azam, DOT, length from over the wicket, defended back
27.6 Mustafizur to Azam, 1 leg byes.
A truly world-class batsman
Pak 123/1 (26 overs)
Some pace now (not really) as the Fizz comes back
25.1 Mustafizur to Imam, 1 run, starts with some length on the stumps, tucked to deep square leg
25.2 Mustafizur to Azam, DOT, switches to round the wicket, Babar defends this angled in length ball to gully
25.3 Mustafizur to Azam, 2 runs, dropped at backward point! Second consecutive game that they have dropped an in-form batsman. Short and wide, Babar cut in the air, and Mosa there reacted late to it
25.4 Mustafizur to Azam, DOT.
25.5 Mustafizur to Azam, 1 run, length outside off, punched to deep cover
25.6 Mustafizur to Imam, FOUR, poor fielding again. Short and Imam pulled well to deep square leg, the fielder had to run a little but could have saved it with a dive. Dived too but allowed to run under him
Pak 115/1 (25 overs)
24.1 Mosaddek to Azam, 1 run, driven to long on
24.2 Mosaddek to Imam, 1 run, advances and pushes this half volley firmly to long off
24.3 Mosaddek to Azam, DOT, short and Babar shaped up to pull, gets an under edge onto pad
24.4 Mosaddek to Azam, DOT, inside edge and almost rolls onto the stumps! Lucky again
24.5 Mosaddek to Azam, 1 run, takes no chances, walks down and plays to long on
24.6Mosaddek to Imam, 1 run.
Pak 111/1 (24 overs)
23.1 Shakib to Azam, 1 run, to deep extra cover
23.2 Shakib to Imam, 1 run, to deep mid wicket
23.3 Shakib to Azam, DOT.
23.4 Shakib to Azam, DOT.
23.5 Shakib to Azam, 1 run, short and pulled to deep mid wicket
23.6 Shakib to Imam, DOT.
Pak 108/1 (23 overs)
22.1 Mosaddek to Azam, DOT, nice stride foward and defended
22.2 Mosaddek to Azam, DOT, a bit short, and the pull is mistimed to mid on
22.3 Mosaddek to Azam, DOT, punched back
22.4 Mosaddek to Azam, DOT, fuller and played back to Mosa
22.5 Mosaddek to Azam, FOUR, great shot to bring up the fifty! Short, he went back and punched it to deep extra cover. Welcome boundary too
22.6 Mosaddek to Azam, 1 run.
Pak 103/1 (22 overs)
21.1 Shakib to Azam, 1 run, drifting on leg, turned to square leg
21.2 Shakib to Imam, DOT, goes back to punch this full ball, short mid wicket does well to save the single
21.3 Shakib to Imam, 1 run, goes back and turns to square leg. 100 up
21.4 Shakib to Azam, 1 run, close call! Imam actually did well there. He set off early and dived in, but a direct hit may have been close
21.5 Shakib to Imam, 1 run, short and outside off, cut to deep backward point
21.6 Shakib to Azam, 1 run.
Pak 94/1 (20 overs)
19.1 Shakib to Imam, DOT, punched down the ground but the bowler fields well
19.2 Shakib to Imam, 1 run, comes down and nudges to short mid wicket
19.3 Shakib to Azam, 1 run, short and cut in front of point for one
19.4 Shakib to Imam, 1 run, bowled fuller but he still goes back to punch to long on
19.5 Shakib to Azam, DOT, defended and looks to run, Imam sends him back sensibly
19.6 Shakib to Azam, DOT.
Pak 91/1 (19 overs)
18.1 Mortaza to Imam, 2 runs, length ball wide of off, played wide of third man, does well to get back for two
18.2 Mortaza to Imam, 1 run, punches the length ball to long on
18.3 Mortaza to Azam, DOT, length on off, tucked to short mid wicket
18.4 Mortaza to Azam, 2 runs, length on off, angling in, wristily flicked to deep backward square
18.5 Mortaza to Azam, 1 run, length ball angling in again, tucked to deep square leg
18.6 Mortaza to Imam, 1 run.
Pak 84/1 (18 overs)
17.1 Shakib to Azam, DOT, dances down and Shakib throws it wide, defended to cover. It was chipped a bit too, lucky to not be caught
17.2Shakib to Azam, DOT, punched to backward point
17.3Shakib to Azam, DOT.
17.4 Shakib to Azam, 2 runs, full and flicked past short mid wicket
17.5 Shakib to Azam, DOT.
17.6 Shakib to Azam, DOT.
And that will be drinks!
Pak 82/1 (17 overs)
16.1 Mortaza to Imam, 1 run, jumps up and plays with an open face to third man
16.2 Mortaza to Azam, DOT, angles it in on a length, defended on the back foot
16.3 Mortaza to Azam, 2 runs, full and angling in on middle, flicked nicely to deep mid wicket for two
16.4 Mortaza to Azam, DOT, length ball outside off, Babar defends right under his eyes
16.5 Mortaza to Azam, 2 runs, shot. Full and wide, he drives nicely to deep extra cover, where there is protection
16.6 Mortaza to Azam, 1 run.
Pak 76/1 (16 overs)
15.1 Shakib to Azam, 1 run, drifted in on leg, punched to long on
15.2 Shakib to Imam, 1 run, to deep backward square
15.3 Shakib to Azam, 1 run, punched to long on again
15.4 Shakib to Imam, DOT, full on off, played to mid wicket
15.5 Shakib to Imam, 1 run, punched to long on off the back foot
15.6 Shakib to Azam, DOT.
Pak 64/1 (14 overs)
The star of the World Cup is here- Shakib Al Hasan, and he draws a huge cheer
13.1 Shakib to Azam, FOUR WIDES, poor start, down leg and Mushfiq cannot get to it
13.1 Shakib to Azam, 1 run, full outside off, pushed to cover for one
13.2 Shakib to Imam, 1 run, short and spinning in, turned to deep square leg off the back foot
13.3 Shakib to Azam, 1 run, drifted in on off, he gets forward nicely and gets an inside edge to square leg
13.4 Shakib to Imam, 1 run, another defence which fetches a run
13.5 Shakib to Azam, 1 run, dances down and nudges to long on
13.6 Shakib to Imam, 1 run.
Pak 53/1 (13 overs)
So there seems to be a certain plan to bowl short and wide to Babar. Understandable because he is sublime with his shots off full length deliveries.
12.1 Mortaza to Imam, 1 run, steered to third man again
12.2 Mortaza to Azam, 1 run, oh super running. Babar defends this, has no intention to run, but Imam is aware that Mash cannot really run with those knees, and made a good, early call
12.3 Mortaza to Imam, DOT, defended to short third man
12.4 Mortaza to Imam, 1 run, short and wide, cut straight to deep point
12.5 Mortaza to Azam, 1 run, too straight on the pads, flicked to backward square. Wanted the second, it was there too but Imam says no and he is not happy with him
12.6Mortaza to Imam, DOT.
Pak 49/1 (12 overs)
11.1 Mustafizur to Azam, FOUR, that would have been a big wicket! Short and wide, Babar slashes at it, gets an outside edge and the slip is positioned too wide, almost a fourth slip so no chance of a catch
11.2 Mustafizur to Azam, DOT, and again! He looks to cut but is beaten by pace. Lets out a loud grunt
11.3 Mustafizur to Azam, DOT, comes round the wicket now, bowls short and wide again, played to backward point
11.4 Mustafizur to Azam, DOT, goes for the bumper now, Babar does well to drop his wrists and sway away
11.5 Mustafizur to Azam, DOT, fuller length outside off, defended to point
11.6 Mustafizur to Azam, DOT.
Pak 45/1 (11 overs)
End of first powerplay and Bangladesh will surely be the happier side. It is thejoinest lowest powerplay start for Pakistan.Mashrafe brings himself on to bowl now. It is his last WC game as well, and Bangladesh's first ODI at Lord's, so it will be perfect if he can sign off with a victory at the home of cricket.
10.1 Mortaza to Azam, 1 run, driven to deep extra cover
10.2 Mortaza to Imam, 1 run, round the wicket to the left hander, steers the length ball easily to third man
10.3 Mortaza to Azam, 1 run, looks to defend the full ball, gets an inside edge to square leg
10.4 Mortaza to Imam, 1 run, another easy dab down to third man
10.5 Mortaza to Azam, 2 runs, full and drifting in on middle, flicked to deep backward square
10.6 Mortaza to Azam, 1 run.
Pak 38/1 (10 overs)
The Fizz is into the attack.
9.1 Mustafizur to Azam, DOT, starts full and wide, angled across, mistimed drive to cover
9.2 Mustafizur to Azam, 1 run, length on the pads, tucked to square leg
9.3 Mustafizur to Imam, DOT, length now outside off, he jumps and defends towards point
9.4 Mustafizur to Imam, 1 run, full on the pads, flicked to deep square leg
9.5 Mustafizur to Azam, FOUR, there's always a touch of class when this guy bats. Gets a length ball angled across outside off, he goes back, jumps a bit and punches past point
9.6 Mustafizur to Azam, 1 run.
Pak 31/1 (9 overs)
Pakistan's best batsman, Babar Azam walks out at no.3
8.1 Mehidy to Azam, DOT, length and spinning in, defended on the front foot
8.2 Mehidy to Azam, 2 runs, dropped a bit short, Babar punches well, and gets it to deep extra cover for a couple
8.3 Mehidy to Azam, DOT, full and nudged to mid wicket
8.4 Mehidy to Azam, DOT, another one played to mid wicket
8.5 Mehidy to Azam, DOT.
8.6 Mehidy to Azam, 1 run.
Pak 23/1 (7.2 overs)
7.1 Saifuddin to Fakhar, DOT, full and wide, crashes the drive to cover point Zaman
7.2 Saifuddin to Fakhar, OUT, gone, and he Zaman cannot believe what he has done. Stands at the crease shell-shocked. This is full and wide, there to be put away, he slashes at it hard, and holes out straight to backward point
Fakhar c Mehidy bSaifuddin 13(31)
Pak 23/0 (7 overs)
6.1 Mehidy to Fakhar, DOT, dances down and defends the short ball
6.2 Mehidy to Fakhar, 1 run.
6.3 Mehidy to Imam, DOT.
6.4 Mehidy to Imam, DOT, glanced straight to short fine leg
6.5 Mehidy to Imam, DOT, goes back to defend the in drifter
6.6 Mehidy to Imam, DOT.
Pak 22/0 (6 overs)
5.1 Saifuddin to Fakhar, DOT, fuller on middle, flicked towards mid wicket
5.2 Saifuddin to Fakhar, DOT, yorker outside off, dug out to mid off
5.3 Saifuddin to Fakhar, DOT, full outside off, he brings out the cross batted drive to mid off
5.4 Saifuddin to Fakhar, 1 run, fuller ball angled across, looks to drive and gets an outside edge to third man
5.5 Saifuddin to Imam, DOT, full outside off, driven with a nice press forward to short cover
5.6 Saifuddin to Imam, FOUR, all class! Full outside off again, he presses forward again and executes the perfect cover drive, piercing the only available gap on the off side
Pak 17/0 (5 overs)
4.1 Mehidy to Fakhar, DOT, fuller on off, pushed to cover point
4.2 Mehidy to Fakhar, DOT, drifts it on off, pushes without feet, gets an inside edge to the boot
4.3 Mehidy to Fakhar, DOT.
4.4 Mehidy to Fakhar, DOT, flighted on off, played to cover
4.5 Mehidy to Fakhar, DOT, hits the defence to backward point
4.6 Mehidy to Fakhar, 1 run.
Pak 16/0 (4 overs)
3.1 Saifuddin to Imam, DOT, length ball on leg stump line, tucked to mid on
3.2 Saifuddin to Imam, 1 run, tap and run, a direct hit would have got him! Imam softly played this to the off side and called immediately, had to dive in to make it
3.3 Saifuddin to Fakhar, DOT, back of a length outside off, punched towards point
3.4 Saifuddin to Fakhar, 1 run, full toss now, he plays to mid wicket for one
3.5 Saifuddin to Imam, DOT, short and wide, he steered it, but backward point fielded very well
3.6 Saifuddin to Imam, FOUR, his first boundary now! Gentle length ball on the pads, and glanced away easily past short fine leg
Pak 10/0 (3 overs)
2.1 Mehidy to Imam, DOT, outside off and full, defended to backward point
2.2 Mehidy to Imam, 1 run, length and drifting on leg, turned to square leg
2.3 Mehidy to Fakhar, DOT, full and he gets on front foot to defend
2.4 Mehidy to Fakhar, 2 runs, big shot and it lands safely! Comes down, Mehidy throws it wide, he reaches out and slashes it, goes high and lands short of long off
2.5 Mehidy to Fakhar, DOT, defends this in drifter
2.6 Mehidy to Fakhar, DOT.
Pak 7/0 (2 overs)
Mohammad Saifuddin from the other end.
1.1 Saifuddin to Fakhar, DOT, friendly full toss but he drives to mid on
1.2 Saifuddin to Fakhar, DOT, some inswing after pitching, but was sliding down leg after striking the pad
1.3 Saifuddin to Fakhar, DOT, goes a bit fuller now, on the stumps, played towards mid wicket
1.4 Saifuddin to Fakhar, FOUR, there's the first one! Short and wide, Zaman does not need anything more, cuts it in front of point
1.5 Saifuddin to Fakhar, DOT, length again now, on the stumps, defended
1.6 Saifuddin to Fakhar, 2 runs.
Pak 1/0 (1 over)
Imam and Fakhar are at the crease and the opening duo will want to give the huge Pakistani contingent something to cheer about (not that they need it). The southpaws will be attacking every ball, I'll say that with certainty. Mehidy will start with the new ball.
0.1 Mehidy to Fakhar, DOT.
0.2 Mehidy to Fakhar, DOT, drifted in on leg, turned to mid wicket
0.3 Mehidy to Fakhar, DOT, a nice front foot defence on this full ball
0.4 Mehidy to Fakhar, DOT, another defence. He is looking to get his eye in first
0.5 Mehidy to Fakhar, 1 run, walks down and pushes to long off to get himself and Pakistan off the mark
0.6 Mehidy to Imam, DOT.
Time for the national anthems!
Bangladesh's anthem is played first, followed by that of Pakistan
They have a massive task on their hands!
Lord's is rocking!
So the stadium erupted when Sarfaraz won the toss. The crowd is rocking and even the live broadcast is not so clearly audible, because the decibels are that high. Expect a lot of raucous reactions.
And also Bangladesh are playing in a red jersey, because they are the designated away side
Team News
Bangladesh XI: Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim(wk), Mahmudullah, Liton Das, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Mustafizur Rahman
Pakistan XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Sarfaraz Ahmed(wk/c), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi
Pak win toss; to bat first
Mortaza calls it wrong and needless to say, Sarfaraz chooses to bat first. No changes for Pakistan, he trusts his current XI, and it is their best one in my opinion.
Mortaza says he wanted to bat first as well. Mahmudullah is back for Sabbir, and Mehidy comes back in for Rubel
So these are the conditions in case you forgot
More than just a match
Pakistan and Bangladesh have had good WC campaigns. While one of them is definitely out while the other virtually, we can rest be assured this is not going to be a drab affair. Both teams will go on the attack immediately. Sarfaraz Ahmed has even said his team is capable of scoring a 500 if they bat first.
For Bangladesh, it is a moment of truth. They have come of age at this WC, rising from the shadows of their status as minnows. They have a stable core, and a skilled set of individuals. The campaign may not quite have worked out the way they wanted but signing off with a win will be first thing on their mind today.
You can read more of our preview here.
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