London, Jul 5 (UNI) Riding on Imam-ul-Haq (100 off 100 balls) and Babar Azam (96 off 98 balls) helped Pakistan to post a total of 315 runs against Bangladesh in the World Cup match at the Lords here on Friday.
Despite losing Fakhar Zaman (13) early, on a score of 23 runs, Pakistan managed hold themselves in the game as Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam played handsomely and scored from each corner of the park. The duo was going fine with their bat and had stitched 157 runs and were looking to extend their partnership, but unfortunately in 32nd over Azam was lbw by Mohammad Saifuddin. Azam scored 96 off 97 balls decorated with 11 fours.
Later, Mohammad Hafeez joined Imam and supported him from the other end. The duo added 66 runs for the third wicket but left Pakistan on a score of 246 for three wickets in 41.5 over, when he hit the wicket on Mustafizur Rahman's ball. Imam played a sensible knock and scored 100 runs of 100 balls with the help of 7 fours.
Pakistan lost their fourth wicket when Mohammad Hafeez departed for 27 off 25 balls while trying to clear the park.
Mustrafizur claimed his 100th ODI wicket, when he gave another blow to Pakistan by dismissing Haris Sohail on a score of 6 runs. Mustrafizur achieved this feat in 54 matches. Pakistan were at 256/5 and had just 36 balls left in their innings and were expected to do something miraculous to set a big total.
Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed is going off the field. He is retired hurt in the 45th over, Wahab Riaz came in his place.
However, in last ten overs, Pakistan scored 85 runs and lost seven wickets.
Imad Wasim played handsomely and without getting support from the other end he took his team to 315 runs. He scored 43 runs off 35 balls with the help of 6 fours and 1 six before falling to Mustrafizur.
Wahab Riaz (2), Shadab Khan (1) and Mohammad Amir (8) while Shaheen Afridi remained unbeaten.
Now, Pakistan need to bowl Bangladesh out for seven runs to displace New Zealand out of the semi-final race.
For Bangladesh, Mustafizur Rahman took five wickets and Mohammad Saifuddin took three wickets while Mehedi Hasan claimed one wicket.
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