10:55 pm: Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed – “We played very good cricket in the last four matches, but unfortunately we couldn’t qualify. Only the one match against West Indies cost us the whole tournament, but the way the boys responded after the India match was honestly commendable. The way we started the combination was not great, but when Shaheen Shah and Haris Sohail came in, I think we were a settled unit. We need to sit down together, and do lots of work - we have almost two months off. When your team wins, everything looks good (when asked about his own form). The way our batsmen - Imam, Babar, Haris, and the bowlers as well, the way they have responded is extremely good. The way Shaheen has bowled in the last four matches has been very encouraging, particularly today, I think he’s taken six wickets. I’d also like to thank the crowd for their support throughout the tournament.”

10:50 pm: Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza – “We are extremely sorry that we couldn’t lend a helping hand to Shakib who batted, bowled and fielded very well in every match in this tournament. In some important matches, the fielding has costed us a lot throughout the tournament. The bowling hasn’t been up to the mark either, but the batting is a big positive. Mustafizur was unplayable from the beginning of his career. He has struggled in the last two years with injuries, but since the Ireland series he has done well, and he is an asset for Bangladesh cricket. We could’ve finished on a good note. We have given our 100%, but sometimes we need luck, which has never been with us. I will go home and rethink my career.”

10:44 pm: Player of the match Shaheen Afridi – “I’m happy for this performance. It’s a special feeling for me, my family, for all of Pakistan. The wicket was slow. The first innings Mustafizur bowled well using cutters and I thought I would do the same.”

PAKISTAN WIN BY 94 RUNS!

19-year-old Shaheen Afridi bowls a sizzling yorker to rattle Mustafizur Rahman’s stumps. The left-arm pacer finishes with the best figures by a Pakistani bowler in a World Cup match. He returns with 6/35 in 9.1 overs.

Bangladesh 219/8 in 4343 overs – Mehidy 7

WICKET! It’s the turn of Bangladesh’s skipper to walk back to the shed. He tries to step out and slog one but is stumped. Leg-spinner Shadab Khan gets his second wicket. The end is near for the Tigers.

Mortaza stumped Shadab 15 (14)

Bangladesh 198/4 in 40.3 overs – Mehidy 1

WICKET! Shaheen Afridi has a five-for! This is turning into a nightmare for Bangladesh! Pakistan have the big wicket of Mahmudullah. Shaheen bowls a perfect yorker to castle the right-hander. He becomes the youngest ever to get a five-wicket haul in a World Cup match. Take a bow!

Mahmudullah b Shaheen 29 (41)

Bangladesh 197/7 in 40.1 overs – Mahmudullah 29

WICKET! And another one bites the dust for Bangladesh. Their innings is coming crashing down. Shaheen Afridi gets his fourth wicket as Mohammad Saifuddin hits it straight to mid-off. The Pakistani fans are delighted at Lord’s. Thei campaign looks set to end on a high.

Saifuddin c Amir b Shaheen 1 (1)

Bangladesh 197/6 in 39.4 overs – Mahmudullah 29

WICKET! The partnership is broken! Bangladesh were starting to look threatening but Shadab Khan has given Pakistan the breakthrough. Mosaddek Hossain tries to get another boundary but hits it to wide long-off.

Mosaddek c Babar b Shadab 16 (21)

Bangladesh 183/5 in 38 overs – Mahmudullah 21, Mosaddek 10

Pakistan have dropped two catches in the last two overs. Mohammad Hafeez and Babar Azam being the guilty fielders. Sarfaraz Ahmed and Co are on top at the moment but they can’t take things for granted. Bangladesh could very well mount a comeback.

Bangladesh 172/5 in 36 overs – Mahmudullah 13, Mosaddek 7

Amir is back in the attack and the scoring rate has dropped drastically over the past few overs. Amir, like Shaheen, is also relying on his cutters. Just four from his seventh over. Babar nearly effected a run out with his brilliance at cover.

Bangladesh 164/5 in 34 overs – Mahmudullah 10, Mosaddek 3

Another good over for Pakistan. Mohammad Amir concedes just three singles in his sixth over. Bangladesh have Mahmudullah and Mosaddek Hossain at the crease now. It’s going to take a special effort for them to get over the line from this position.

There’s that celebration again...

Bangladesh 154/5 in 32.1 overs – Mahmudullah 8

WICKET! Oh dear, oh dear! Shakib Al Hasan is gone! Shaheen Afridi can do no wrong today. He bowls a wide, innocuous delivery, Shakib slashes at it and edges it to ‘keeper Sarfaraz Ahmed. The end of another fine innings from the left-hander. Surely, this has to be Pakistan’s game now.

Shakib c Sarfaraz b Shaheen 64 (77)

Bangladesh 154/4 in 32 overs – Shakib 64, Mahmudullah 8

600 runs for Shakib Al Hasan in the tournament! Wow! He’s only the third man in history to score 600 runs in a World Cup. Bangladesh’s hopes depend on him today. He’s looking in complete control at the moment but needs support from the other end. Left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir returns to the attack and concedes three runs in his fifth over.

Bangladesh 144/4 in 30 overs – Shakib 57, Mahmudullah 6

Shot! Mahmudullah gets his first boundary with a proper slog off Shadab Khan. He’d got two centuries in the previous World Cup and is making a comeback from injury. Bangladesh would want the right-hander to stick around with Shakib Al Hasan at the crease. Not a lot of batting to follow for the Tigers.

Bangladesh 136/4 in 28.1 overs – Shakib 56

WICKET! Pakistan have broken the partnership! And it’s that man Shaheen Afridi who has dine the trick again. He comes back into the attack and strikes immediately. The left-arm pacer bowls a wonderful slower-ball first-up and Liton Das hits it straight to covers. Pakistan on top again at Lord’s!

Liton c Haris b Afridi 32 (40)

Bangladesh 136/3 in 28 overs – Shakib 56, Liton 32

Big over for Bangladesh! Shakib clips one for four past short-fine and Liton slog-sweeps one after that for another boundary. Shadab is struggling to find rhythm. Pakistan look tensed on the field now. 11 runs come from that over.

Shakib keeps marching on...

Bangladesh 122/3 in 26 overs – Shakib 50, Liton 24

FIFTY for Shakib Al Hasan! He gets there in 62 balls. This is the left-hander’s seventh fifty-plus score in eight innings in this World Cup. Absolutely brilliant effort from the senior pro.

Bangladesh 115/3 in 25 overs – Shakib 45, Liton 22

The records keep tumbling for Shakib Al Hasan. The left-hander has had a sensational tournament. Bangladesh will be in the hunt till he’s at the crease. Four runs come from Imad Wasim’s fifth over.

Bangladesh 105/3 in 23 overs – Shakib 41, Liton 16

Hundred up for Bangladesh! Imad bowls it wide, Shakib throws his bat at it and he gets a thick edge that runs away past short-third. The Tigers are have a good passage of play. Seven runs come from that over.

Bangladesh 98/3 in 22 overs – Shakib 36, Liton 14

Leg-spinner Shadab Khan joins the attack and Liton Das plays a superb slog-sweep over mid-wicket for four. Six runs come from that over. The Bangladeshi batsmen are playing with a positive approach.

Bangladesh 86/3 in 20 overs – Shakib 34, Liton 4

Another good over for Pakistan, just three runs come from it. Left-arm pacer Wahab Riaz has figures of 1/15 from 4 overs at the moment. Bangladesh have Shakib Al Hasan and Liton Das at the crease now. The Tigers need a big partnership. Sarfaraz Ahmed and Co are threatening to run away with this.

Bangladesh 78/3 in 17.2 overs – Shakib 31

WICKET! Pakistan have the breakthrough they wanted! And it’s the veteran Wahab Riaz who strikes! Poor shot from Mushfiqur Rahim. The right-hander tries to tap it to third man but the ball is too close to him and he ends up chopping it on to the stumps. Bangladesh are in trouble. Time for a drinks break.

Mushfiqur b Wahab 16 (19)

Bangladesh 77/2 in 17 overs – Shakib 30, Mushfiqur 16

Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim joins the attack and concedes just two singles in his first over. Shakib and Mushfiqur are looking comfortable at the moment. Both batsmen are capable of scoring big and Pakistan would want to see their backs soon.

Bangladesh 73/2 in 15 overs – Shakib 28, Mushfiqur 14

Shot! Wonderful straight-drive from Shakib. Shaheen pitches it up and the left-hander punches it straight back. Shot of a man in form. Rahim survives a close call after that as he tries to scamper back into the crease. The single was never on and he would’ve been out if there was a direct hit from the fielder at mid-wicket. Six runs come from Afridi’s fourth over.

Bangladesh 67/2 in 14 overs – Shakib 23, Mushfiqur 14

Wahab Riaz joins the attack and Mushfiqur Rahim takes the left-arm pacer for a boundary off the first ball. The right-hander is looking good at the moment. Another good over for Bangladesh, eight runs come from it.

Bangladesh 59/2 in 13 overs – Shakib 20, Mushfiqur 9

Shaheen Afridi is in the middle of an impressive spell. He concedes just two singles in his third over. The left-arm pacer has figures of 1/6 at the moment. The Bangladeshi batsmen will have to be careful.

Bangladesh 57/2 in 12 overs – Shakib 19, Mushfiqur 8

Mushfiqur Rahim is the new man at the crease for Bangladesh. The ‘keeper-batsman gets his first boundary with a powerful sweep past square-leg. Rahim and Shakib are the two best batsmen of their team. They need to settle in and build a big partnership. Eight runs come from off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez’s sixth over.

Bangladesh 48/2 in 10.4 overs – Shakib 18

WICKET! Bangladesh have lost both their openers! Tamim Iqbal’s uncomfortable stay at the crease is brought to an end by Shaheen Afridi. The left-arm pacer bowls a well-disguised slower-ball and the left-handed batsman fails to read it completely. The stumps are shattered and the veteran opener’s World Cup has come to a disappointing end. Pakistan on top at Lord’s!

Tamim b Afridi 8 (21)

Bangladesh 47/1 in 10 overs – Tamim 8, Shakib 17

Mohammad Hafeez rejoins the attack and gives away seven runs in his fifth over. That’s the end of the first powerplay. Bangladesh won’t be too disappointed at this point but this partnership needs to kick-on.

Bangladesh 40/1 in 9 overs – Tamim 6, Shakib 12

Shaheen Afridi joins the attack for Pakistan. The left-arm pacer hits the deck hard and concedes just two singles in his first over. There’s an appeal for LBW off the last ball but it hd struck Tamim Iqbal on his thigh. Easy decision for the umpire.

Bangladesh 38/1 in 8 overs – Tamim 5, Shakib 11

Four! Amir bowls it on Shakib’s pads and the left-hander flicks it stylishly past mid-wicket to pick up his second boundary. The left-arm pacer does well to concede just two singles in the remaining five balls.

Bangladesh 32/1 in 7 overs – Tamim 4, Shakib 6

Shakib Al Hasan is the new man at the crease for Bangladesh. The left-hander has been in prime form in this World Cup. He gets his first boundary with a comfortable pull past mid-wicket. Mohammad Hafeez had done well to bowl four dot balls before that. Five runs come from the off-spinner’s fourth over.

Bangladesh 26/1 in 5.5 overs – Tamim 4

WICKET! Sarkar departs just as he was starting to look threatening! The left-hander gets a boundary but then cuts it towards cover-point where Fakhar takes a fine low catch. It’s that man Mohammad Amir once against who has given Pakistan the breakthrough.

Sarkar c Zaman b Amir 22 (22)

Bangladesh 22/0 in 5 overs – Tamim 4, Sarkar 18

Shot! Soumya steps out and drives one in the air and well past mid-off for four. Another good over for Bangladesh, seven runs come from it. Hafeez is bowling most of his deliveries without much flight.

Bangladesh 15/0 in 4 overs – Tamim 3, Sarkar 12

Mohammad Amir is fired up. He gets Tamim Iqbal’s edge but the ball doesn’t carry to the slips. Just the two singles in that over. Pakistan would want to end their campaign on a high after being eliminated from the semi-finals race.

Bangladesh 13/0 in 3 overs – Tamim 2, Sarkar 11

After 11 good deliveries, the ball slipped out of Hafeez’s hand and Sarkar hammers the ball on the leg side for a boundary. Mind you, he almost found the deep-square fielder.

Bangladesh 8/0 in 2 overs – Tamim 1, Sarkar 7

It’s official: Pakistan are out of the semi-final race and New Zealand are the fourth team to qualify. Bangladesh have eight on the board after two overs. Meanwhile, Haris Sohail at first slip spooned a simple chance off Sarkar. Amir should have had one more to his tally.

Bangladesh 0/0 in 1 over – Tamim 0, Sarkar 0

Hafeez bowls down the slope and Tamim Iqbal is not taking any chances. It’s a maiden to start proceedings. The Bangladeshis need eight to kill whatever hopes Pakistan have of reaching the semis.

The players are back on the field. Sarfaraz Ahmed will be keeping for Pakistan despite suffering an injury.

PAKISTAN FINISH WITH 315/9 IN 50 OVERS!

Skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed plays out the hat-trick ball safely to pick up a single. Mustafizur Rahman finishes with figures of 5/75 from his 10 overs.

Pak 314/9 after 49.5 overs - Amir 8

WICKET! Mustafizur Rahman gets a five-for!

He got one against India and he gets one against Pakistan. The left-arm pacer has his name on the Lord’s honours board. Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed is walking out to the middle.

Amir c Mushfiqur b Mustafizur 8 (6)

Pak 314/8 after 49.4 overs - Amir 8

WICKET! The end of an excellent innings from Imad Wasim. He tries to cut another one over point but finds Mahmudullah at third man. Mustafizur Rahman gets his fourth wicket.

Imad c Mahmudullah b Mustafizur 43 (26)

Pak 308/7 after 49 overs - Imad 37, Amir 8

Two more boundaries for Imad Wasim! The left-hander has played a brilliant cameo here. Could prove to be match-wining. Mohammad Saifuddin struggles to bowl the right length and gets punished. 13 runs come from the right-arm pacer’s ninth over. Final six deliveries coming up! By getting to 307, Pakistan have avoided elimination. For now.

Pak 295/7 after 48 overs - Imad 26, Amir 5

Mohammad Amir comes to the crease and plays a superb cover-drive for four. Just the six runs and a wicket from Mustafizur Rahman’s ninth over. Top stuff from the left-arm pacer.

Let’s not forget, Pakistan will be eliminated automatically if they fail to get to 307.

Pak 289/7 after 47.1 overs - Imad 26

WICKET! Shadab Khan has come and gone in a hurry thanks to some stunning work by Mustafizur Rahman. The left-arm pacer does well to get low and take the return catch. Third wicket of the day for him. Pakistan are losing the plot. It’s all on Imad Wasim now.

Shadab c&b Mustafizur 1 (2)

Pak 288/6 after 46.5 overs - Imad 26

SIX! First maximum of the day and it comes from Imad Wasim’s bat! Mohammad Saifuddin pitches it on a length and the left-hander hits it for a 83-meter six over the long-on fence.

WICKET! Saifuddin comes back in style and bowls a brilliant yorker to rattle Wahab Riaz’s stumps. The right-arm pacer has bowled the most number of yorkers in this World Cup, inform the commentators.

Wahab b Saifuddin 2 (4)

Pak 279/5 after 46 overs - Imad 19, Wahab 1

Back-to-back boundaries for Imad! The left-hander is playing a fine cameo. He cuts one powerfully for four and then flicks the next one stylishly to pick up another boundary. 12 runs come from Mustafizur’s eighth over.

Pak 267/5 after 45 overs - Imad 9, Sarfaraz 2

Well, well Sarfaraz Ahmed has retired hurt! There was a lengthy delay in the last over after the Pakistani skipper was struck on his elbow at the non-striker’s end by a powerful Imad Wasim drive. He got taped up but can’t go on anymore. Wahab Riaz is the new man.

Pak 267/5 after 45 overs - Imad 9, Sarfaraz 2

Four! Imad waits on one and cuts it over point for a boundary. 11 runs come from that Saifuddin over. Pakistan will be eyeing at least 310 at this point. They’ll be out of the tournament automatically if they get lesser than 307.

Play delayed due to Sarfaraz Ahmed getting hit on his elbow at the non-striker’s end.

Pak 255/5 after 43.5 overs - Imad 1

WICKET! Mustafizur gets to 100 ODI wickets in just 54 games! Haris tries to cut it for six but gets a top-edge, Soumya runs in from the deep and takes a comfortable catch. Pakistan are throwing away a great platform.

Haris c Soumya b Mustafizur 6 (6)

A look at Imam getting to his century and then getting out hit-wicket...

Pak 248/4 after 42.4 overs - Haris 1

WICKET! Pakistan are losing their way here. Hafeez gets out yet again after attempting a slog-sweep. He always finds a way to pick out the fielder in the deep. Bangladesh are getting back into the contest.

Hafeez c Shakib b Mehidy 27 (25)

Pak 246/3 after 41.5 overs - Hafeez 26

WICKET! Oh no, Imam-ul-Haq is gone! He gets to his century but then ends up getting out hit-wicket. Got to feel for the left-hander. That’s one unfortunate way of getting out.

Imam hit-wicket b Mustafizur 100 (100)

Pak 244/2 after 41.3 overs - Imam 100, Hafeez 24

CENTURY for Imam-ul-Haq! He gets there in 99 balls. The left-hander follows his uncle Inzamam’s footsteps and gets his name on the Lord’s honours board. This is his seventh ODI ton. Classy knock from the 23-year-old. He has become the youngest Pakistani cricketer ever to get a World Cup hundred.

Pak 243/2 after 41 overs - Imam 99, Hafeez 24

Big over for Pakistan! Shakib tosses it up and Hafeez drives it over covers for four. The right-hander then clips the next ball past short-fine for another boundary. Freebies from the experienced left-arm spinner. Imam gets two off the last ball and moves on to 99. 13 runs come from that over.

Pak 225/2 after 39 overs - Imam 93, Hafeez 14

Seventh boundary for Imam! He moves into the 90s. Shakib pitches it full and the left-hander drives it straight over the bowler for four. Smart shot. Good over for Pakistan, nine runs come from it.

Pak 216/2 after 38 overs - Imam 87, Hafeez 11

What a shot! Imam comes down the track to Mortaza and hits a thumping drive over covers for four. The left-hander is looking good for his first century of this World Cup. The Bangladeshi skipper has figures of 0/46 from his 7 overs at the moment.

Pak 204/2 after 36 overs - Imam 79, Hafeez 8

Mohammad Hafeez gets his first boundary in some style. Mashrafe Mortaza pitches it full and the right-hander drives it over mid-off for four. Seven runs come from that over.

Pak 197/2 after 35 overs - Imam 78, Hafeez 2

Shakib Al Hasan returns to the attack and concedes three singles in his seventh over. Pakistan have Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez at the crease now. They have a good base here to get a big total. Time for a drinks break at Lord’s.

A look at Babar’s dismissal...

Pak 180/2 after 32 overs - Imam 63

WICKET! Oh dear, oh dear. Babar Azam has missed out on a richly-deserved century. He hits Saifuddin for back-to-back boundaries but then gets out LBW off the next ball. It was a low full toss and he missed it trying to flick it towards square-leg. Pakistan lose their review. This was a scintillating knock from the right-hander. Big breakthrough for Bangladesh.

Babar lbw Saifuddin 96 (98)

Pak 166/1 after 31 overs - Imam 59, Babar 87

A much-needed quiet over for Bangladesh. Off-spinner Mehidy Hasan does well to concede just three singles in his seventh over.

Pak 163/1 after 30 overs - Imam 57, Babar 86

Babar Azam is turning it on! The right-hander pulls Mustafizur Rahman for three boundaries in that over. He’s racing towards his second century of this World Cup. Class batting! Bangladesh are struggling for answers.

Pak 144/1 after 28 overs - Imam 53, Babar 71

Class from Babar! Mustafizur drops its short and the right-hander plays a brilliant short-arm pull for four. He rolled his wrists and hit it in front of square to beat the fielder in the deep. The left-arm pacer wraps him on the pads on the last ball, Bangladesh appeal but the umpire says not-out.

Pak 137/1 after 27 overs - Imam 52, Babar 66

Action-packed over!

Babar dances down the track and drives a low full-toss from Mosaddek through covers. To make matters worse, Saifudding then does a ridiculous misfield at deep extra cover to concede a boundary.

FIFTY for Imam! He gets there in 52 ball! The left-hander has had starts in the tournament and would want to finally convert. He’s looking good at the moment.

Dropped! Babar attempts a drive and gets a thick edge but Mushfiqur can’t hold on to it. That was a tough chance and the ‘keeper is in pain after getting hit on the knee.

Big over for Pakistan, 14 runs come from it. Their run-rate has finally gone over 5. Bangladesh are under pressure.

Pak 123/1 after 26 overs - Imam 45, Babar 60

Dropped! Oh dear, that could prove to be costly. Mustafizur Rahman returns to the attack and should’ve had Babar Azam. The right-hander cuts it straight to point but Mosaddek Hossain makes a complete meal of it. That was a sitter. Imam-ul-Haq ends the over with a pull past square-leg for four. Insult to injury.

Pak 115/1 after 25 overs - Imam 40, Babar 57

Kind of disappointing to see Pakistan playing sensible cricket today; today when they needed to go absolutely crazy. They usually adopt crazy without a second thought but today of all day, they flip over a new side.

Pak 108/1 after 23 overs - Imam 37, Babar 53

Fifty for Babar Azam. It has taken him 62 balls. A fluent knock and he is showing just why he is Pakistan’s best batsman but it is just not at the pace, Pakistan needs them to be. Can he kick off and make it a really big one?

Pak 98/1 after 21 overs - Imam 35, Babar 45

And Pakistan move along merrily. They seem to have abandoned their chase of 500 and settled for less. The highest ever win in ODIs in 290, Pakistan need to win by around 300.

Pak 94/1 after 20 overs - Imam 34, Babar 42

In normal circumstance, the 71-run stand off 76 balls would have been superb. But this just isn’t what the doctor ordered for them.

Pak 84/1 after 18 overs - Imam 28, Babar 38

At no point in this innings have the Pakistan batsmen really gone after the bowling. They clearly aren’t thinking 500. They are clearly not even thinking 400. Anyway, time for a drinks break. Will Arthur pass on a message?

Pak 72/1 after 15 overs - Imam 25, Babar 29

Sarfaraz Ahmed before the game: “We will do our best to get quick runs on the board. Our target is to score big runs.”

But Pakistan have shown no such intent. Sigh.

Pak 53/1 after 13 overs - Imam 15, Babar 25

Steady stuff by Bangladesh and perhaps by Pakistan too. Going at it from the first ball wouldn’t have been a strategy but if they can get to the 35th over with wickets in hand and runs on the board, who knows...

Pak 49/1 after 12 overs - Imam 13, Babar 23

Babar is the only who seems to be trying to score at a quicker rate. He has also had a lion’s share of the strike after coming in. A four off the first ball of the Fizz over and then nothing.

Pak 45/1 after 11 overs - Imam 13, Babar 19

Mashrafe Mortaza, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack. Singles off almost every delivery and a two off the other. Seven runs off the over.

Pak 37/1 after 10 overs - Imam 11, Babar 14

Babar has been there just for a bit but even then it is clear that is a touch of class in his batting. He hit one four in Mustafizur’s first over – met the ball right under his eyes and just timed it through the covers. Stunning shot.

Pak 31/1 after 9 overs - Imam 10, Babar 8

Babar is in and he has been Pakistan’s in-form batsman. But Hasan has found a sweet spot today – five overs, just 9 runs. Whatever hopes Pakistan may have harboured of getting to 450 have gone down the drain.

Pak 23/1 after 7.2 overs - Imam 10

WICKET! Wide ball, Fakhar looked to smash it, but it hit the toe-end of the bat and flew straight to the fielder. He just didn’t get going today. Just the 5th wicket that Bangladesh have picked up in the Powerplay in this World Cup.

Fakhar Zaman c Mehidy Hasan b Saifuddin 13 (31, 4x1)

Pak 23/0 after 7 overs - Fakhar 13, Imam 10

Hasan continues to be at his best – giving away nothing – just 6 runs in his 4 overs. Putting pressure on the Pakistan batsman – a different kind of pressure but given what Pakistan need, this should work.

Pak 22/0 after 6 overs - Fakhar 12, Imam 10

Once again, a four off the last ball. Beautiful shot by Imam but Saifuddin has to find a way to end his overs better. At the moment, it is five good balls and a poor sixth ball.

Pak 17/0 after 5 overs - Fakhar 11, Imam 6

Hasan is clearly having an impact on the proceedings. Fakhar seems tentative against spin and Imam’s strike-rate against spin has been among the lowest in the tournament. Great move to bring him on early.

Pak 16/0 after 4 overs - Fakhar 10, Imam 6

A four off the last ball by Imam spoiled what would have been a good over for Saifuddin. Pakistan’s approach will be interesting to follow – for how long are they going to hold back?

Pak 10/0 after 3 overs - Fakhar 9, Imam 1

Another good over by Hasan. Quick and accurate. He has conceded just 4 runs in his 2 overs so far. Fakhar miscued one and it luckily found the middle of nowhere.

Pak 7/0 after 2 overs - Fakhar 7, Imam 0

Saifuddin opens the bowling and not Morraza as he has been doing. Fakhar got a four and a two. What are Pakistan’s options?

Pak 1/0 after 1 over - Fakhar 1, Imam 0

Bangladesh chose to start the innings with the spin of Mehidy Hasan. And it worked. Just one run from the over.

2:56 pm - Sarfaraz Ahmed keeping faith with his winning combination

2:53 pm - Time for National anthems!

The two are out for the national anthems. Bangladesh are in their changes red strips today to avoid a clash with Pakistan’s green jersey

2:45 pm - Scenarios for Pakistan to qualify

Score 308 runs, beat Ban by 308 runs
Score 350 runs, beat Ban by 312 runs
Score 400 runs, beat Ban by 316 runs
Score 450 runs, beat Ban by 321 runs

Surely, not possible even for unpredictable Pakistan?

2:42 pm - LINEUPS!

Pakistan (Playing XI): Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Sarfaraz Ahmed(w/c), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim(w), Mahmudullah, Liton Das, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan, Mashrafe Mortaza(c), Mustafizur Rahman

TOSS UPDATE! Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bat first. It was an obvious choice as it is their only chance to qualify for the semi-finals. So for now, PAKISTAN ARE STILL ALIVE in this World Cup

Pakistan face Bangladesh in their final league phase game of the 2019 ICC World Cup knowing that only a miracle can take them to the semi-finals at the expense of the currently fourth-placed New Zealand.

Pakistan now need to surpass the record winning margin by runs in a one-day international of 290 if they are to overtake New Zealand.

But if Bangladesh win the toss and bat first, the 1992 champions’ slim hopes of a semi-final spot will evaporate even before a ball is bowled.

That is because net run-rate can only be boosted by so much if a team is chasing a target, and in Pakistan’s case it would not be enough for them to top New Zealand.

Bangladesh, on the other hand would look to end a fine campaign on a winning note.