ODI World Cup digest: Pakistan keep semi hopes alive; South Africa and New Zealand face off

The Men’s 2src23 ODI World Cup is now building towards the final on November 19. Each morning we will round up the latest action and news from the event and bring you the insights from our reporters on the ground.

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Top Story: Bangladesh knocked out after Afridi and Fakhar fashion big Pakistan win

Pakistan 2src5 for 3 (Fakhar 81, Shafique 68, Mehidy 3-6src) beat Bangladesh 2src4 (Mahmudullah 56, Litton 45, Shakib 43, Afridi 3-23, Wasim 3-31) by seven wickets

Pakistan put in their most convincing performance of the World Cup to end their longest World Cup losing run, trouncing a dismal Bangladesh by seven wickets and keeping their faint hopes of semi-final qualification alive.

The win was set up by a commanding performance from Shaheen Shah Afridi – now the fastest to 1srcsrc ODI wickets for quick bowlers and the leading wicket-taker at this World Cup – to dismiss Bangladesh for 2src4. Fakhar Zaman, freshly recalled to the side, then turned in his best showing in months, a vintage 74-ball 81 that set Pakistan up for a win that gave both their confidence and net run-rate a shot in the arm.

Match analysis: It’s been hard work, but Afridi has found a way

Shaheen Shah Afridi has probably not been among the best bowlers at the World Cup. Yet, he is the joint-highest wicket-taker, going at an acceptable 5.22 an over and taking a wicket every 23 balls.

It is a