Watch: Ben Stokes was bowled for 84 in his final innings of the 2023 World Cup, falling to a scorching yorker from Shaheen Shah Afridi which uprooted his off-stump from the ground.
Stokes played in England’s final match against Pakistan in Kolkata after scoring his first World Cup goal in the previous game against the Netherlands. England had their best start in the tournament with the bat after Jos Buttler opted to bat first. Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow combined for 82 runs, but both were dismissed within five overs, with Stokes equaling Crees in the 19th over.
After reaching his half-century in 53 balls, Stokes stepped on the accelerator. He gave Mohammad Wasim two successive six-run and four-run long-ons before giving Agha Salman the same treatment. After four more he performed a powerful reverse throw sweep that sent Salman over the square boundary.
Just four overs after reaching 50, Stokes found himself back in the 80s and eyeing his second century in the match so far. However, Afridi ended the fireworks with his first overback in the attack.
Afridi bowled over the wicket and fired his trademark toe-crushing yorker. Stokes tries to flick it to his leg side again but misses completely. The ball hit the base of the off-stump and bounced off the ground, illuminating the sharp bail.
Wickett ended Stokes’ World Cup with the bat in 84 innings. This number was even more significant for Stokes, who finished the 2019 World Cup with 84 innings. But this time, it took place in a memorable road final, and as we all know, he was never eliminated in the end.
Watch: Ben Stokes bowled on 84 in final World Cup knock
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