Australia vs. Bangladesh: A High-Scoring Affair at MCA Stadium, Pune

In the 43rd match of the tournament, Australia faced Bangladesh at MCA Stadium, Pune, in a clash that, while lacking overall tournament significance, showcased remarkable performances. Australia won the toss and opted to bowl.

Bangladesh’s Innings:

Bangladesh, put in to bat, saw a strong opening stand of 76 runs between Hasan and Liton Das. Although Hasan was the first to depart, Shanto joined Liton, contributing 30 runs. The partnership of Shanto and Hridoy added 64 runs before Shanto’s dismissal. Hridoy went on to score 74 runs, and with valuable contributions from other batsmen, Bangladesh posted a formidable total of 306/8 in 50 overs. Adam Zampa and Sean Abbott claimed two wickets each.

Australia’s Chase:

Australia, tasked with chasing 307 runs for their 7th win, faced an early setback as T Head was dismissed in the 3rd over. However, M Marsh joined Warner, and the duo propelled the Australian score to 132 before Warner departed after scoring 53 runs. S Smith and Marsh then ensured a steady innings, reaching the target comfortably. Smith contributed 63 runs, but the highlight was Marsh’s outstanding century—177 runs in 132 balls. The match concluded in the 44.4th over, with Australia securing victory by 8 wickets. Marsh was rightly declared the Player of the Match for his unbeaten 177.

Pakistan vs. England: High Stakes for Pakistan’s Semifinal Hopes

In the second match of the day, Pakistan faced England, and the outcome carried significant implications for Pakistan’s journey to the Semifinals.

In the 44th match of the tournament, Pakistan faced England at Eden Garden, Kolkata. England, having won the toss, opted to bat, setting the stage for a crucial showdown.

England’s Innings

England’s opening pair of Malan and Bairstow took the score to 82, but Malan’s dismissal at 31 marked an early breakthrough for Pakistan. Bairstow contributed 59 runs before departing at 108. Stokes and Smith added a formidable 132 runs, guiding England to 240 when Stokes was dismissed after scoring 84. Despite losing wickets in the final overs, England managed to post a challenging total of 336/9 in 50 overs. H Rauf claimed 3 wickets, while Afridi and Wasim secured 2 each.

Pakistan’s Chase

With a daunting target, Pakistan faced an uphill task to qualify. The top order faltered, losing early wickets, including F Zaman in the 3rd over. Despite the struggle, S Agha’s resilient innings of 51 brought some stability. However, at 191/9 in the 38th over, it seemed Pakistan had conceded. H Rauf and Wasim added a commendable 53 runs for the last wicket, reaching 244 before Rauf’s dismissal. D Willey’s 3 wickets and valuable 15 runs earned him the Player of the Match as England secured a 93-run victory.

Semifinal Picture

Australia’s triumph in their 7th win positions them at 3rd place, setting up a Semifinal clash with South Africa at Eden Garden, Kolkata. Pakistan, finishing at 5th, can take pride in winning 4 out of 9 matches but may be disappointed with the team No 1 tag. Bangladesh, despite losses, secures the 8th position. England, after languishing at the bottom throughout the tournament, secures a relaxed 7th position by winning the last two matches. The Semifinalists are now confirmed: India, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Stay tuned for the exciting Semifinal matchups!