Cricket World Cup 2019: Pakistan pray for miracle ahead of Bangladesh clash

Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed admitted his team needed a miracle to qualify for the World Cup semi-finals, as they prepare for their final group game against Bangladesh at Lord's on Friday.

Pakistan, fifth on the table behind New Zealand, who occupy the fourth and final knockout berth, have to bat first against Bangladesh and win by a margin of at least 316 runs to leapfrog the Kiwis on net run rate.        

"It is very difficult, 316 runs is a big margin," said Sarfaraz. "Only if you're batting first, if you score 600 runs or 500 runs. 

"I don't know what the study is behind this, but I can't do anything. Definitely, we're interested in finishing on a high note, so we will try our best in tomorrow's match."    

Pakistan will also be playing for pride, after losing to their South Asian rivals in their last four meetings, going back to 2015.    

"If you talk about the previous matches, yes, Pakistan lost four, but it is a World Cup match," Sarfaraz added. "Both teams look stronger, so hopefully, we will do well as a team." 

Meanwhile, Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes said his team were desperate to seal another victory over the 1992 champions in what would be skipper Mashrafe Mortaza's final World Cup game.           

"Bangladesh versus Pakistan at the beautiful Lord's - there's no such thing as a dead rubber," he said. "Both teams are desperate to beat each other, we certainly are.       

"I often use the word 'warrior', but he [Mortaza] goes to war for the team and people respect that, understand that and they love him because of that. 

"The players in the dressing room do love 'Mash'. He has said it's his last World Cup and it'll be emotional for him."            

Reuters 

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