Pakistan’s World Cup journey comes to an end with defeat against England

KOLKATA, (Reuters): Current champions England ended their dismal World Cup campaign with a 93-run victory over Pakistan on Saturday, denying the 1992 champions the miracle they needed to make it to the last four of the showpiece 50-overs tournament.

England had already been eliminated after six defeats in seven matches in a debacle that has prompted demands for an overhaul of their one-day squad.

Electing to bat at Eden Gardens, England racked up a solid 337-9, with three of their top four batters smashing fifties in their third 300-plus total of the tournament.

Jonny Bairstow (59), Joe Root (60) and Ben Stokes (84) made half-centuries in a display that left their fans wishing the batters could have produced similar efforts more often in the tournament.

Read more: Pakistani team to fly back home tomorrow

Pakistan were all out for 244 in the 44th over and bowed out of the tournament after their fifth loss in nine matches.

New Zealand have joined India, South Africa and Australia in the semi-finals