WC: England secured a convincing victory over Pakistan by a margin of 93 runs

By siliconindia  |  Sunday, 12 November 2023, 10:21:25 AM IST

WC: England secured a convincing victory over Pakistan by a margin of 93 runs
England defeated Pakistan by 93 runs in the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023, ending their hopes of making it to the semifinals. After electing to bat first, England scored 337/9 with half-centuries from Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, and Ben Stokes. Pakistan was bowled out for 244, with David Willey, Adil Rashid, Gus Atkinson, and Moeen Ali taking wickets. Pakistan's slim chances of reaching the semifinals vanished as England built a sizeable first-innings score. Stokes' knock of 84 from 76 balls helped England secure a place in the top eight. England's bowlers, led by David Willey, were on the money from the start.
Willey finished with figures of 3/56, becoming the 14th England men’s player to reach 100 wickets in the ODI format, helping his team secure a guaranteed top-eight finish that cements the team’s qualification for the next Champions Trophy. A brilliant spell of swing-bowling early in the second innings saw Pakistan lose both of their openers, with Willey taking both wickets with the new ball. Abdullah Shafique was trapped in front, off just the second ball of the innings for a duck. And Fakhar Zaman departed two overs later, caught by Stokes for 1, leaving Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan requiring a rebuild.
Pakistan struggled in their match against England. Babar Azam played a good innings of 38 runs but was caught out. Mohammad Rizwan was bowled out for 36 by Moeen Ali. Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali took advantage of scoreboard pressure, with Rashid removing Saud Shaeel for 29 and then cleaning up Shadab Khan with a great googly. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Wasim, and Haris Rauf contributed some late runs, but it wasn't enough for Pakistan as they failed to advance beyond the group stage of the tournament along with England.
Earlier, after overcoming an early hostile spell from Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, the England openers flourished in Kolkata. They were also assisted by some wayward bowling from Rauf, who conceded three wides in his first three overs, two of which went over the keeper's head for a four. Once in, both the batters racked up several boundaries and ensured that England were going close to seven at the end of the first Powerplay. 
Mohammad Wasim's bowling in tandem with the spinners slowed down England's scoring rate, and Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow were dismissed soon after. Pakistan regained control and had a chance to take a third wicket, but Shaheen dropped a catch offered by Ben Stokes, who then hit four boundaries off the next 10 balls he faced against Shaheen. And after this, Stokes looked like he was continuing his form from Pune, unleashing boundaries at will to lift the England scoring rate to 5.82 at the 35-over mark. Along with Root, he picked the scoring rate even further, adding 36 runs in overs 36-40.
Stokes and Root got out quickly, putting England's innings at risk. However, Buttler, Brook, Ali, and Willey hit some great sixes towards the end and helped England go past 300. Despite Rauf's superb death bowling, England finished with 337/9, which was more than enough to win the game and end their campaign on a high note.
Source: IANS

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