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Ben Stokes and Joe Root led England to 337 for nine against Pakistan as they attempted to end their World Cup \u2013 and their era \u2013 on a high in Kolkata.<\/p>\n
England\u2019s chaotic and unsuccessful title defence will not carry on to the semi-finals and it is widely expected that the core of the team that conquered this tournament in 2019 will now begin to break up after this game.<\/p>\n
But two central pillars of the golden days came to the fore here, Stokes following up his century against Netherlands by crashing 84 and Root adding a workmanlike 60 as he became the first English batter to reach 1,000 World Cup runs.<\/p>\n
Like many of their fellow thirtysomethings they face an uncertain future in ODI cricket, with a fresh-faced squad set to be announced on Sunday for the forthcoming tour of the West Indies, but they ensured their side did not slink meekly into the past tense.<\/p>\n
Stokes will never forget Eden Gardens, where he was hammered for four successive sixes in the final, decisive over of the T20 World Cup in 2016, but he added a few happier memories this time with 11 fours and two maximums of his own.<\/p>\n
The second was a staggering stroke, switching his hands and reverse-scooping Agha Salman over the ropes at deep third.<\/p>\n
Stokes earlier saw a return catch put down by Shaheen Shah Afridi on 10 but knuckled down with Root to share a run-a-ball stand of 132 for the third wicket.<\/p>\n
That gave the England innings its foundations before a flurry of action at the death.<\/p>\n
In the last 10 overs there were nine fours, five sixes and seven wickets as the game accelerated into a highlights package.<\/p>\n
Jos Buttler (27 off 18 balls), Harry Brook (30 off 17) and the retiring David Willey (15 off five) all hit out then got out as Pakistan played their part.<\/p>\n
Haris Rauf had a busy time, carrying a catch into the boundary rope to spare Buttler only to make amends with a superb direct run-out, and finishing with three for 64.<\/p>\n
Dawid Malan (31) and Jonny Bairstow (59) put on England\u2019s most productive powerplay of the tournament in the first 10 overs, finally getting their tempo right at the same time.<\/p>\n