WELLINGTON: It was heartbreak for Bangladesh in Palmerston North, as Pakistan staged a spectacular comeback to snatch a penultimate-ball victory from the jaws of defeat. Chasing 251 to maintain their 100% record and top Group D, Pakistan seemed to be going down when they lost their sixth wicket at 199, with 21 balls to go. But Mohammad Waqas who came in at number eight had other ideas, smashing two sixes and three fours in his 14-ball 34 that turned the match on its head in less than 15 manic minutes. The win put Bangladesh out of the tournament, while West Indies qualified at their expense to the quarters.
The day had begun well for Bangladesh, whose decision to bat was vindicated by a strong batting show. Openers Anamul Haque and Amit Majumder laid the foundation with a steady stand of 92 in 23.1 overs. Anamul carried on his good form in the series, before he fell for 55. Mominul Haque kept the Bangladesh flag flying in the middle overs and set them up for a strong finish, which was provided by captain Mahmudul Hasan who slammed 63 at close to run-a-ball. Shabbir Rahman upped the ante with Hasan, striking two sixes and two fours in his 34. Alauddin Babu who came in for the last ball of the innings smote a six to take his side to 250.
Pakistan employed a watchful approach to their chase, with Babar Azam and Ahmed Shehzad cutting out the risks in their steady 104-run opening stand, before Shehzad fell for 52. When Rameez Aziz fell at 113 in the 32nd over, Mahmudul Hasan had choked the innings of all momentum and Pakistan were in desperate need of a move-on. Azam provided the impetus in the company of his captain Azeem Ghummam, adding 60 in 56 balls. Bangladesh then hit back hard, removing both batsmen without addition to the score. Pakistan faltered further, losing two more wickets as their victory-hopes dimmed. But Waqas played out a script of his own, with a dramatic twist in the end.
“We thought we might be losing the game,” said Pakistan captain Azeem Ghumman. “But Waqas kept telling me that he was confident that he could score the runs. It was incredible - it turned from the impossible to the possible. Waqas really played well, the guy was confident and he showed it. It was the best debut by anyone.”
In the battle of the group B heavyweights in Queenstown, South Africa beat Australia in another nail-biter, reaching their target with only two balls remaining. Australia scored 276-7, with Jason Flores hitting 96 and Alex Keath 64, before Dominic Hendricks led the South African charge with 94. South Africa reached 278-8 to clinch their place at the top of the pool ahead of the quarter-finals.
Hosts New Zealand took top spot in group C after beating closest rivals Sri Lanka by seven wickets in Christchurch. Sri Lanka scored 195 all out in their 50 overs, with Danishka Gunathilleke topscoring with 69 and Tim Johnston and Logan van Beek each taking three wickets for New Zealand. The hosts reached the target with nearly seven overs in hand, as opening batsman Harry Boam held the innings together with an unbeaten 85. In the tournament’s final pool match Thursday, World Cup holder India and England will battle for top spot in group A.
Brief scores:
Group B:
Australia: 276-7 in 50 overs (Jason Floros 96, Alex Keath 64, Tim Armstrong 48; Graham Hume 3-35, Kirk Wernars 2-45, Malcolm Nofal 2-51) vs South Africa: 278-8 in 49.4 overs (Dominic Hendricks 94, Cody Chetty 32, Stephan Smith 30; Alex Keath 3-34, Kane Richardson 3-49)
Result: South Africa won by two wickets
Group C:
Sri Lanka: 195 all out in 49.1 overs (Danishka Gunathilleke 69, Rumesh Buddika 39, Kithuruwan Vithanage 35; Tim Johnston 3-32, Logan van Beek 3-49) vs New Zealand: 196-3 in 43.2 overs (Harry Boam 85 no, Jimmy Neesham 47)
Result: New Zealand won by seven wickets
Group D:
Bangladesh: 250-5 in 50 overs (Mahmudul Hasan 63, Anamul Haque 55, Amit Majumder 36, Muminul Showrav 35, Shabbir Rahman 34 no; Usman Qadir 2-44) vs Pakistan: 251-6 in 49.5 overs (Muhammad Babar 91, Ahmad Shahzad 52, Muhammad Waqas 34 no; Mahmudul Hasan 2-36)
Result: Pakistan won by 4 wickets. agencies
Source:dailytimes.com.pk/
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