The reigning champions, England, concluded their challenging World Cup journey with a commanding 93-run victory over Pakistan in the 44th match of the World Cup at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday.
Despite their victory, England's earlier disappointments had already sealed their elimination from the tournament, prompting calls for a reevaluation of their one-day squad.
Opting to bat at Eden Gardens, England showcased a resilient performance, amassing a formidable total of 337-9. Notably, three of their top four batters, Jonny Bairstow (59), Joe Root (60), and Ben Stokes (84), delivered impressive half-centuries. This marked England's third instance of crossing the 300-run mark in the tournament.
While the victory provided a glimpse of the team's potential, it came too late to salvage their World Cup hopes. The six defeats in seven matches had already dashed their chances, leading to widespread discussions about the need for a thorough reassessment of the squad.
On the other side, Pakistan, the 1992 champions, faced disappointment as their dreams of a miraculous entry into the semi-finals were quashed. Their innings concluded at 244 in the 44th over, marking their fifth loss in nine matches and signalling the end of their World Cup journey.
With the conclusion of this match, New Zealand has secured a spot in the semi-finals, joining India, South Africa, and Australia in the penultimate stage of the 50-overs tournament. The dynamics of the tournament have evolved, leaving fans and analysts eager to witness the unfolding drama in the upcoming semi-final clashes.
