CAPE TOWN, Feb 22: Pakistan produced one of their worst-ever performances in cricket World Cup history as they crashed to a humiliating 112-run defeat against England in the crucial Group ‘A’ match under lights at Newlands on Saturday.
Only a last wicket stand of 54 between Saqlain Mushtaq (12 not out) and Shoaib Akhtar, who blasted three sixes and four fours in a blistering 43 off 22 balls, lifted the final total to 134 in 31 overs.
The defeat leaves Pakistan in a precarious position to qualify for Super Six. They are now languishing in fifth place in the group while England are second in the standings with 12 points in four games.
Pakistan’s top batsmen had no answer to the cut and swing of Man-of-the-Match James Anderson, who finished with four for 29, including the first ball dismissals of Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana.
Scoreboard
ENGLAND 246-8 in 50 overs.
PAKISTAN:
Saeed Anwar lbw b Anderson 29
Shahid Afridi c Stewart b Caddick 6
Inzamam-ul-Haq c Knight b Anderson 0
Yousuf Youhana b Anderson 0
Younis Khan c Stewart b Flintoff 5
Abdul Razzaq b White 11
Rashid Latif c Stewart b Anderson 0
Wasim Akram c Giles b White 7
Saqlain Mushtaq not out 12
Waqar Younis c Knight b White 2
Shoaib Akhtar b Flintoff 43
EXTRAS (B-4, LB-4, W-11) 19
TOTAL (all out, 31 overs) 134
FALL OF WKTS: 1-13, 2-17, 3-17, 4-52, 5-59, 6-59, 7-71, 8-78, 9-80.
BOWLING: Caddick 7-0-27-1 (4w); Anderson 10-2-29-4 (3w); Flintoff 9-2-37-2 (4w); White 5-0-33-3.
RESULT: England won by 112 runs.
MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: James Anderson.
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