Pakistan v Bangladesh: Cricket World Cup 2023 – live | Cricket World Cup 2023

29th over: Bangladesh 124-4 (Mahmudullah 54, Shakib 10) Another quick over from Iftikhar, three singles from it. He quite fancies an lb off its final delivery, but only because ball hit pad; it wasn’t hitting, not a chance.

“Yes!” begins John Foster. “What a treat to find a fellow aficionado of the Co-op Irresistible Hand Cooked Sea Salt & Chardonnay Crisp. Truly eye-watering and bum puckering – proper old school ‘smoker’s crisps’ as my sainted grandmother would say. Paired with a pot of aioli or taramasalata for dipping, you’ve got a snack so indulgent it should only be consumed with a black shroud over your head in order to hide the sin from the eyes of God. Similarly in the Co-op cricket food line, they used to do the very best – mini chicken kiev bites. Like scotch eggs but with garlic butter inside instead of egg and chicken ‘stuff’ instead of sausage meat. Off the shelf, they were innocuous, typical beige buffet fodder, but – and this is the key – left in the packet, in the sun for a few hours, slightly warm and melty inside … they became something else altogether. Tragically they were discontinued a couple of years ago (I know this because I emailed customer services). Keep up the good work, brother in crisp!”

I love crisps so much, I don’t know what to tell you, and “smoker’s crisp” is a lovely phrase. However, I’d be dipping in hummus – the smooth, Kosher kind, not the grainy supermarket sort – though am intrigued that your kiev approach matches mine for Fruit Pastille ice lollies.

28th over: Bangladesh 121-4 (Mahmudullah 52, Shakib 10) Wasim returns and that’s more like it! His loosener is short and wide so Shakib steps forward and slaps to cover, where the fielder should intervene but doesn’t; four. These are the only runs from the over, but the partnership, 19 off 43, is slowly building Maureen Mentum.

27th over: Bangladesh 117-4 (Mahmudullah 52, Shakib 6) It feels like both sides are prepared to let this phase of the game drift: Bangladesh need these two at the crease for as long as possible – ideally they’ll still be there for the last 10 overs – while Pakistan can allow that if the score increases as slowly as currently. This latest go-around from Iftikhar yields four singles, a perfect example of what we just said: the status quo is tolerable to both parties.

26th over: Bangladesh 113-4 (Mahmudullah 50, Shakib 4) Shakib gets down the other end immediately, nurdling to backward square for a single; Mahmudullah responds with a cut to point for another. A further two ones make it four from the over, the second raising Rock me Mahmudullah’s fifty – off 58 deliveries – and what a fine knock it’s been. Coming in under pressure, I can’t recall a false shot, and for as long as he’s at the crease, his team are bang in this.

25th over: Bangladesh 109-4 (Mahmudullah 48, Shakib 2) “Thirteen deliveries, one single,” announces Nasser of Shakib. “Keep him down.” And Pakistan try to, Iftikhar coming around with the field in tight; he manages five dots, before a single to midwicket means the Bangladesh captain retains strike. I’d be very tempted to, were I Babar, to toss Afridi the globule at this point.

24th over: Bangladesh 108-4 (Mahmudullah 48, Shakib 1) Rauf continues and sends down consecutive leg-side wides, then hits the pad; he appeals, the batters steal a leg bye. Mahmudullah has a problem now: does he keep playing as he has been, attacking whenever possible, or does he try and stay at the crease in the knowledge that if he departs, things could get very grim very quickly. My guess is he lets Shakib settle before doing anything risky, and the skipper gets off the mark with a cut to third man.

23rd over: Bangladesh 104-4 (Mahmudullah 48, Shakib 0) With the new man in, Babar will hope his spinners can rush through a few overs while he settles – Shakib is out of form – and his team rebuild. Another cheap over, one off it, and a run a ball from here will take Bangladesh to 266. I’m sure they’d take that.

22nd over: Bangladesh 103-4 (Mahmudullah 47, Shakib 0) Babar brings Rauf back, which makes some sense; his spinners haven’t given him the control he needs, so he might as well try and purchase another wicket by reverting to pace. One off the over.

“You can get rid of an ear worm by replacing it with another,” advises John Starbuck. “So how about ‘Mahmudullah’ sung to the Mamma Mia bit of Bohemian Rhapsody?”

Also: Mahmudullah here i go again, Mahmu, how can I resist him.

21st over: Bangladesh 102-4 (Mahmudullah 46, Shakib 0) There’s not much batting to come, so this is the partnership; the last was 79 off 95.

WICKET! Das c Salman b Iftikhar 45 (Bangladesh 102-4)

21st over: Bangladesh 102-3 (Das 45, Mahmudullah 46) Problems for Babar. Das takes one to long on, then Mahmudullah again makes sure not to miss out on a poor ball, flicking fine – finest – off the pads. I actually think the ball hits Rizwan’s glove, but it makes no odds, racing to the fence.

20th over: Bangladesh 96-3 (Das 44, Mahmudullah 41) Pakistan are struggling to sustain pressure, bowling too few good balls and too many bad ones; as I type, Usama flings Das a knee-high full-toss, and swipes it to cow for four. Then, after a dot and a single, Mah mah mah mah mah mah mah mah, mah mah mah mah mah Mamudullah Mamudullah makes room, espying a long hop, making a cuppa, confitting a duck and singing all of Shine on You Crazy Diamond, before hoiking over midwicket for the first six of the innings.

19th over: Bangladesh 81-3 (Das 38, Mahmudullah 32) It’s Iftkhar who returns and he’s gently milked for two singles and a two. The partnership is 62 off 78, and for as long as it lives, Bangladesh can aim to set a target of beyond 250.

“While I don’t really feel like change strips achieve much in cricket (everybody wears white/cream to play tests and it works fine),” says Andrew Cosgrove, “weren’t there change strips for the last World Cup? I seem to remember India had an orange (saffron, I guess) one, and Sri Lanka’s was an excellent yellow.”

That’s exactly my point: change kits aren’t required to help us see what’s going on, but there are some garish beauties we’re not getting, that we fully deserve.

18th over: Bangladesh 81-3 (Das 38, Mahmudullah 32) I wonder if the below is fully true; I’m sure England are enjoying hanging out, but I’m not sure you can have that much fun when getting battered every few days. Still, I’m glad if they’re able to compartmentalise – I don’t require them to suffer for me – and to say they’re in credit is an understatement. Anyroad, two singles then Usama drops short and Das cuts hard, earning four through backward point; both these two are batting with aggression and composure.

17th over: Bangladesh 75-3 (Das 33, Mahmudullah 31) These two are rotating the strike pretty well, Das taking one which allows Mahmudullah to free arms, punishing a short wide one just past the dive at 45. That raises the fifty partnership – off 63 deliveries – and this is some good work from the batters. Seven off the over, and Pakistan need something. Dare Babar give Afridi another couple?

16th over: Bangladesh 68-3 (Das 31, Mahmudullah 23) I keep saying this, but I think teams should have change kits; both today’s sides wearing green feels like a waste. Usama continues and after a single to Mahmudullah, Das goes at him but doesn’t get everything, Rauf sprinting in off the long-on fence … only for the ball to drop fractionally short of his forward dive. The batters run another single, four dots follow, and Pakistan have returned from the break the better.

15th over: Bangladesh 66-3 (Das 30, Mahmudullah 22) Pakistan have lost control of this a little but continue with Wasim after drinks, hoping the break breaks momentum and also that the ball starts reversing; Waqar advises us that in this competition, he’s done better when it’s older. There’s nary a hint of it for now, but he still rushes through a maiden ad Pakistan needed that, the run-rate up to 4.41.

14th over: Bangladesh 66-3 (Das 30, Mahmudullah 22) What I love about Mahmudullah is his preternatural refusal to miss out on anything that deserves treatment. When Usama strays down leg, he’s tickled around the corner to the fence, a wide follows, then a much better delivery that turns away from the bat as its face is opened; the edge means nothing, as there’s no slip in.

13th over: Bangladesh 61-3 (Das 30, Mahmudullah 21) In comms, Waqar isn’t happy. Pakistan had Bangladesh under the pump but then Rauf let them out by sending down his half-volleys – though he accepts the wicket-ball was a beauty. And this latest Wasim over goes for five singles; Pakistan could use a wicket.

“This match matters a lot for England in terms of Champions Trophy qualification,” writes Steve Rackett. “Pakistan who host the next competition will qualify as hosts. The other qualification places will be decided at this WC. The top seven will qualify bar Pakistan. If, somehow, Bangladesh win this and Pakistan come eighth, England will need to get into the top seven and their game against Netherlands could become a qualification play-off. It still might, but if Pakistan win, England need to finish in the top eight, which seems achievable? In short though, England need a Pakistan win for CT purposes as it gives them a better chance of finishing above Bangladesh.”

And, of course, these rules – in place since 2021 –had somehow eluded England until they were advised of them in Lucknow on Sunday.

12th over: Bangladesh 56-3 (Das 28, Mahmudullah 18) Usama replaces Rauf and that’s good to see; it’s not clear what, if anything, has been done to his hand, but he’s bowling. His first three deliveries yield two singles, but then he strays full and again Mahmudullah refuses to miss out, clouting through cover. Again, the fielder is Shafique, who chases, dives, and pulls the ball back on the fence … but it hits him while he’s in contact with the rope, and a further one means eight from the over. The rebuild is gathering speed, the partnership 33 off 36.

11th over: Bangladesh 48-3 (Das 25, Mahmudullah 13) Mohammad Wasim replaces Afridi and immediately, Das scents opportunity, taking two towards midwicket before timing away a wide one that lifts to backward point for four. That’s a vey good shot – he waited, then administered perfect contact at the top of the bounce. A single follows, then another four, cover-driven by Mahmudullah – he’s in nick – and my rumbling stomach reminds me to advise those with an interest in cricket picnics that Co-op’s Irresistible Hand Cooked Sea Salt & Chardonnay Wine Vinegar crisps are exceptional. Eleven off the over, and Bangladesh needed that.

10th over: Bangladesh 37-3 (Das 19, Mahmudullah 9) Inserting VT into the middle of overs is kind of odd, but who can complain about being reminded of Afghanistan’s behaviour yesterday? Jonathan Trott is doing a brilliant job there but we shouldn’t forget that they’ve impressed in the last two tournaments too; what’s changed, and perhaps this is Trott’s influence, is that they’ve learned ruthless and composure under pressure. Back, though, to our match, Das forces a single to mid-on at that’s the end of a powerplay which has gone very well indeed for Pakistan.

9th over: Bangladesh 36-3 (Das 18, Mahmudullah 9) Babar wants to break the back of this match. I’m sure that’s what motivated the review in the last over, and is also why Afridi continues now; one more wicket, and Bangladesh are close to done for. But with a 6-3 off-side field, he’s to bowl in the channel, rather than at the stumps, and when he pitches up wide and from around, Mahmudallah doesn’t miss out, flinging hands to send four hurtling through point. These are the only runs from the over and deliver yet another reminder: do not bowl full on this pitch.

8th over: Bangladesh 32-3 (Das 18, Mahmudullah 5) Mahmudullah shoves through cover and they run three, which is to say Rauf misses his length again. When he hits it, he’s tricky; when he doesn’t he’s drivable.

REVIEW! NOT OUT!

8th over: Bangladesh 29-3 (Das 18, Mahmudullah 2) Rauf is still a little full for the pitch and Mahmudullah runs him away for two; is it just me who can’t stop singing his name to Amadeus? Anyway, after a dot, Rauf angles one in, hitting that shorter length, hits Mahmudullah on the pad and there’s a hopeful appeal as the impact was high; no says the umpire then, at the last second, Babar reviews!

7th over: Bangladesh 27-3 (Das 18, Mahmudullah 0) This is not what Shakib had in mind when he opted to bat but he probably isn’t that surprised to see it. Still, Mahmudullah is his team’s form batter, such that they have one; this next partnership will need to do something. And it starts nicely, Das driving Afridi’s first ball for four through point, but when he pulls, Usama dives and does he get a hand underneath that? It doesn’t matter because even if he does, the ball pops out, but in comms they think it dropped short; I think he just got there, the back of his hand on the turf, but couldn’t hang on. Oh, and Usama’s hand is bleeding; I think he’ll be OK, but he goes off to have it treated.

WICKET! Mushfiqur c Rizwan b Rauf 5 (Bangladesh 23-3)

6th over: Bangladesh 23-2 (Das 14, Mushfiqur 5) Haris Rauf into the attack and while he warms himself, back to England. I think they’ve really struggled to find the balance of their team – in terms of personnel but also mentality. Of course, the two are connected, but in 2019, they lost to Sri Lanka after keeping it circumspect while chasing a low target, so decided to play the style not the situation and it worked. It’s actually a reason Bazball works too, I think: clear messaging. Back in the middle, though, Das welcomes Rauf to the match in the grand style, driving two overpitched deliveries to the fence, one through mid-off and one mid-on. A dot and a single follow, then Mushfiqur opens the face and glides fo mo behind square on the off side! Thirteen from the over and still a ball to come…

5th over: Bangladesh 10-2 (Das 5, Mushfiqur 1) Afridi is 2-1 off two but has to wait while a sightscreen advertising issue is resolved; cricket is the winner. Then, when we get back under way, Das drives to mid-off and sets off, but Shakeel dives to pull off a fine stop, limiting the damage to a single. It’s the only run from the over, and already Bangladesh have a problem.

4th over: Bangladesh 9-2 (Das 4, Mushfiqur 1) So a terrible start for Bangladesh, who now have to rebuild – can you rebuild nothing? – when they should be throwing hands – while Pakistan have barely got going yet. Three singles off this second Iftikhar over, but really we’re waiting to see what Afridi manages when he has ball in hand and tail up.

3rd over: Bangladesh 6-2 (Das 2, Mushfiqur 0) I thought it’d be Shakib in next but it’s Mushfiqur, who leaves his first delivery … and his second.

WICKET! Shanto c Usama Mir b Afridi 4 (Bangladesh 6-2)

3rd over: Bangladesh 6-1 (Das 2, Shanto 4) Das shoves to mid-off and they sprint through for a single.

2nd over: Bangladesh 5-1 (Das 0, Shanto 0) Looking at the wicket again, I was a little blithe about the review because it was one of those that just looked out. But actually, it was almost missing, so I can totally understand why Tanzid went upstairs. Anyroad, Das gets his team off the mark with a turn around the corner, then Shanto comes a long way down with a chunky stride, soft hands diverting the ball past Afridi at short third. He ought to have stopped that, but instead the ball races away to the fence.

1st over: Bangladesh 0-1 (Das 0, Shanto 0) A wicket-maiden to begin with, and Afridi now has 14 wickets in the tournament, the same as Bumra and Santner but two fewer than Zampa, who leads the way.

REVIEW! OUT!

REVIEW!

WICKET! Tanzid Hasan lbw b Afridi 0 (Bangladesh 0-1)

1st over: Bangladesh 0-0 (Tanzid 0, Das 0) Shaheen Shah Afridi hasn’t had the tournament he hoped for; that we expected from him. Perhaps he’ll enjoy himself more in the upcoming Test series away to Australia, but he starts well here with four dots…

And play…

Email! “Perhaps one of the reasons for England’s batting being so shoddy is Bazball,” suggests John Starbuck. “Part of this insists that players can be trusted to prepare themselves properly, to the extent that, if they don’t want to have a net, they don’t have to. Not being able to practise in very hot conditions means that, while they’re out on the golf course or sight-seeing, they have neglected the basics, especially facing local bowlers in their own environment. What do you reckon?”

I think that with all sporting failures, especially one as spectacular as this, there’s never one reason. I guess overconfidence might be one, but players losing form together feels most operative to me.

It is, of course, impossible to discuss renditions of TSSB without mentioning Marvin and Whitney, so here they are.

And now our teams. Anthem time – on which point, here’s Flava Flav’s interpretation of The Star-Spangled Banner.

Here come our umpires.

What do we make of the pitches in this competition? And what are our ideal ODI conditions? I quite like what we’ve seen so far; I’d like a little more pace, I guess, but I’m glad we’re mainly seeing scores of 250-320 rather than 320+. As things have turned out, we’ve still not had close matches, but we’ve time yet. As for ideal ODI conditions, I might want South Africa, where we can have pace, bounce and just a touch of turn.

We’re watching Allan Donald explain how, as Bangladesh coach, he’s built himself a battery of seamers. Of course he has. And he’s got history with this competition…

The last match at Eden Gardens, in which Bangladesh were ravaged by Netherlands, the track had some green grass in the middle, which offered something to the quicks. Today’s offering, however, does not, meaning the onus will be on the spinners to force the game – which makes it odd Pakistan have dropped Nawaz.

Teams!

Babar would’ve batted too, and is looking for a big innings, rather than the 40s and 80s he’s been getting so far. His side shows three changes: Fakhar, Salman Agha and Usama come in for Imam, Nawaz and Shadab, who’s still injured.

Bangladesh win the toss and bat!

Preamble