World Cup 2019: Mahela Jaywardene denies any possibility of fixing the result in Pakistan-Bangladesh match

Pakistan’s match against Bangladesh in the 2019 cricket World Cup at Lord’s though was of largely academic interest but yet, the fans were eager to see how the former champions play it out. At nine points from eight matches, Pakistan could still make the semi-finals by toppling New Zealand if they could produce a 300-run win over the Tigers which is unrealistic. Bangladesh, on the other hand, were out of the fray with their 28-run loss against India on Tuesday.

While memes and funny tweets were making the rounds on the social media about how Pakistan could still make it by thwarting the mundane, it was also revealed that there have similar instances in the past. However, it was not at the international level but in first-class cricket in Sri Lanka.

Two clubs, Panadura and Kaluthara had allegedly fixed their match whereby the two teams scored 600 runs in just 60 overs across three innings as a result of which the former club got promoted. After having started their batting on the final day at 180 for 2, Panadura made 223 runs in just 22.3 overs and then Kalutara was bowled out for 197 in 22.5 overs in their second innings. Panadura then made the required 167 runs for the loss of seven wickets in just 13.4 overs to win the game.

The result got Panudara promoted while it saved the other team from relegation. Soon after the match, the other teams complained and investigations revealed that the two teams had fixed the result. They had to pay the fine later and action was taken against them as well.

Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene replied to the tweet by his own country’s journalist Azzam Ameen revealing the past instance, saying it was not possible to do so at the ICC level. Pakistan needed to win by 316 runs to make the semi-finals, something even their captain Sarfaraz Ahmed found unrealistic as they said how could they bowl out the opponents for 50 runs on a pitch on which they could score 500 or 600 runs.

🙊🙉🙈 Dont think at ICC level you can do that….. 😬 https://t.co/wgu0ylerqg

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) July 5, 2019

Biggest win by a margin of runs so far is 290 (NZ over Ireland)

If Pakistan have to reach the semi-finals yet, they would have to set up a new world record. The biggest margin by runs in ODIs so far is 290 and it came in 2008 when New Zealand had beaten Ireland in Aberdeen. At the World Cup, the biggest win by runs was registered by Australia in the 2015 edition when they beat debutants Afghanistan by 275 runs.