Pakistan restrict Bangladesh to 204

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi took three wickets to help restrict Bangladesh to 204 in a World Cup clash they need to win to keep alive their hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

Shaheen finished with 3-23 and was ably supported by Mohammad Wasim’s 3-31.

Haris Rauf took 2-36 as Bangladesh struggled on a dry and slow Eden Gardens pitch, where he retired after 45.1 overs.

Bangladesh, who won the toss and bat, crossed the 200 mark only thanks to Mahmudullah’s solid 70-ball 56, 45 from Liton Das and a 64-ball 43 from captain Shakib Al Hasan.

Shaheen struck with the fifth ball of his first over, trapping opener Tanzid Hasan just in front of the wicket, then saw Usama Mir catch Najmul Hossain Shanto’s shot (four) for his next round. His first dismissal gave Shaheen his 100th wicket in his 51st one-day international, making him the 21st Pakistani bowler to record such a batting record. century.

Pace’s partner Haris made it 23-3 with veteran Mushfiqur Rahim’s wicket for five in the sixth over.

It took 79 runs between Mahmudullah and Liton to take Bangladesh to 102 when Iftikhar Ahmed cleared the stands with a soft dismissal from Liton, caught on a loose shot.

Liton hit six boundaries in his 64-ball knock.

Shaheen returned for his second spell to finish off Mahmudullah’s knock, delivering a superb shot at the top of the stumps. Mahmudullah’s shot had a boundary of six and six.

Shaheen joins Australian spinner Adam Zampa as the leading wicket-takers at this World Cup with 16.

Shakib, who had had a poor tournament scoring just 61 runs in five innings before Tuesday’s match, misplaced Rauf and was caught by Agha Salman after hitting four boundaries.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz hit a six and a boundary to score a 30-ball 25, but Wasim dismissed him, followed by Taskin Ahmed (six) and Mustafizur Rahman (three) in quick succession as Bangladesh lost the last six wickets same for 74 runs.

Pakistan have made three changes from the team that lost to South Africa in Chennai, with Shadab Khan (concussion), Mohammad Nawaz and Imam-ul-Haq ruled out. They were replaced by Fakhar Zaman, Mir and Agha Salman. Bangladesh brought in Towhid Hridoy to replace Mahedi Hasan.