DHAKA, Oct 31, 2023 (BSS)- Continuing their abysmal performance, Bangladesh tasted a seven-wicket defeat to Pakistan for their sixth straight losses in the ICC Cricket World Cup at Eden Gardens in Kolkata today.

    The Tigers put up a mediocre 204 before being all out in 45.1 overs, a score that Pakistan effortlessly gunned down in 32.3 overs, losing just three wickets. This was just fourth time Pakistan won an ODI World Cup game with over 100 balls to spare.

    Opener Fakhar Zaman who returned to the side, replacing out-of-form Imam-ul-Hauqe hastened the victory with 74 ball-81, an innings laced with three fours and seven sixes.

    His fellow opener Abdullah Shafique hammered 69 ball-68 with nine fours and two sixes.

    Fakhar and Shafique shared 128 for the opening stand to kill Bangladesh's any hopes to put any pressure with limited resources.

    Bangladesh offspinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz took all three fallen wickets of Pakistan.

    Mohamamd Rizwan was not out on 26 with Iftikhar Ahmed on 17 as they sealed the deal without any fuss after Pakistan lost three wickets in quick succession.

    In form Mahmudullah Riyad hit a half-century to help Bangladesh propel past 200-run mark after a familiar top order collapse.

    Opener Liton Das made 45 and skipper Shakib Al Hasan scored 43 to be the only two major contributors alongside Mahmudullah's 56 in a pitch that was otherwise a good batting track.

    Fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi (3-23) and Mohammad Wasim (3-31) wrecked havoc on Bangladesh batting, sharing six wickets between them. Another pacer Haris Rauf also played his part well with 2-36.

    After opting to bat first, Bangladesh were reduced them to 23-3, keeping the trend of their top order collapse which proved to a spot of bother in this World Cup for them.

    Afridi trapped Taznid Hasan Tamim leg-before in the first over for duck and then had Najmul Hossain Shanto (4) caught by Usama Mir at square leg as Bangladesh slumped to 6-2 in the third over.

    This was Shanto's sixth consecutive single-digit figure dismissal after a half-century against Afghanistan in the tournament's opening game.

    The situation got worsened when Haris Rauf dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim for 5.

    Liton and Mahmudullah resisted with the former looking to his sublime best. Mahmudullah also carried his form after getting the chance to bat at No.5 after a long time.

    Offspinner Iftikhar Ahmed dismissed Liton as he was just five runs short of his third half-century in the tournament, ending his 79-run partnership with Mahmudullah.

    Shakib joined Mahmudullah and looked determined to snap his bad patch but Afirid returned to his second spell to rattle Mahmudullah's stump with a gem of fast bowling.

    Mahmudullah played 70 balls for his 56 and hit six fours and one six.

    Towhid Hridoy who returned to the squad after being dropped in the last two matches, couldn't do anything worthy as he got out for 7.

    Shakib and Mehidy Hasan Miraz added 45-run for the seventh wicket before Haris Rauf broke through with the wicket of Bangladesh captain after he hit four boundaries.

    But his innings was crucial in driving the side past 200 runs, which looked unlikely at one phase.

    Wasim cleaned up the tail including Miraz who scored 25 off 30 with one four and one six.

    Bangladesh will take on Sri Lanka in their next match in Delhi on November 6.