Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 6 wickets in Sunday’s Super-12 match between the two rival nations. Bangladesh, batting first, put up a paltry 124 runs on board in their 20 overs. The Pakistan batting line up was able to surpass the score with ease. 

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said he was happy with the way the team played. The pitch was a bit tricky and his plan, along with Mohammad Rizwan, was to take the game deep, the skipper, who has been slammed for Pakistan’s performance in the World Cup, said. He added that the team is excited to play the semi-finals. 

Shakib Al Hasan, the Bangladesh captain, says the batting side fell short of runs and that they were looking for something around 150 to defend. He echoed Azam’s sentiment that the pitch seemed slow. Hasan further said that this was Bangladesh’s best-ever T20 World Cup campaign. On being asked if he was going to continue playing, the 35-year-old said that as long as he remains fit he would love to go on playing for Bangladesh. 

Upon winning against Bangladesh, Pakistan have jumped to the top of Group 2. The team has played five matches winning three and losing too. It has six points in its kitty with a net run rate of +1.028. 

India are placed second having played four matches and losing one of them. The Men-in-Blue are playing Zimbabwe in a dead letter match as they have already secured their semi final entry after Netherlands defeated South Africa Sunday morning. 

Shaheen Afridi shone for Pakistan in Sunday’s match and was declared the Player of the Match. He said that his performance has improved and that it is difficult to bowl at the same pace upon returning from an injury. “I am improving day by day. Not easy to bowl at 140 after coming back from injury. We have played good cricket in the last few games. Team needed me to bowl well. We are looking forward to the final actually.” 

Shaheen Afridi took four wickets giving only 22 runs in his four overs.