Stokes came into England’s final fixture of the competition against Pakistan in Kolkata off the back of scoring his maiden World Cup century in their previous match against the Netherlands. After Jos Buttler elected to bat first, England got off to their best start with the bat of the competition. Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow put on 82 runs between them, before both were dismissed within five overs of each other, bringing Stokes to the crease in the 19th over.

After he reached his half-century off 53 balls, Stokes put his foot down. He hit Mohammad Wasim for back-to-back boundaries – a six and a four through long on – before he gave Agha Salman the same treatment. After another four, he brought out a powerful reverse slog sweep to smash Salman over the square boundary.

Just four overs after reaching his 50, Stokes was into the 80s and eying up a century for the second time in as many games. However, Afridi put an end to his pyrotechnics in his first over back into the attack.

Bowling over the wicket, Afridi fired in one of his trademark, toe-crunching yorkers. Stokes attempted to flay it away into the leg side once more but missed completely. The ball cannoned into the base of off-stump, lighting up the zing bails and forcing it out of the ground.

The wicket brought Stokes’ World Cup with the bat to an end with an innings of 84. That number has added significance for Stokes who also finished the 2019 World Cup with an innings of 84. Although, that innings was played in the memorable Lord’s final, and he was famously not out at its end.

Watch: Ben Stokes bowled on 84 in final World Cup knock

 

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