South Africa, who’re nonetheless heading in the right direction for the semi-finals, got here out blazing after a rain delay noticed their preliminary goal of 186 adjusted all the way down to 142, that means they wanted 73 runs in 5 overs.
Proteas batsman Aiden Markram. Picture: @OfficialCSA/Twitter
SYDNEY – Gutsy Pakistan saved their slim Twenty20 World Cup hopes alive with a 33-run win over South Africa in a dramatic rain-affected match on the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday.
South Africa, who’re nonetheless heading in the right direction for the semi-finals, got here out blazing after a rain delay noticed their preliminary goal of 186 adjusted all the way down to 142, that means they wanted 73 runs in 5 overs.
But the asking charge was an excessive amount of and so they completed 108-9 on the finish of a charming match that had a little bit of every part, from dangerous climate to good bowling and dropped catches.
Their win means Pakistan can nonetheless attain the World Cup semi-finals in the event that they win their final match towards Bangladesh on Sunday and different outcomes go their manner.
But they have to depend on India or South Africa dropping their remaining video games. India faces Zimbabwe and the Proteas play the Netherlands.
Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan had rescued Pakistan with the bat with an excellent 82-run partnership, their World Cup having seemed lifeless and buried previous to that.
Captain Babar Azam, who failed with the bat as soon as once more, was filled with reward for his combating aspect.
“These are our best players and everyone is ready to play,” Azam mentioned.
“Everyone is a match-winner. Our first two matches were close losses, but we’ve given 100 percent in the last two matches and you never know, cricket is a funny game.
“We hope for the perfect.”
Iftikhar, who came to the crease with Pakistan in big trouble at 43-4, scored 51 off 35 balls and Shadab blazed 52 from 22 as Pakistan finished their innings at 185-9.
Pakistan had looked headed for a certain early exit from the tournament as the South African seam attack tore through the top order.
But Iftikhar stayed firm, sharing a 52-run partnership with Mohammad Nawaz before he and Shadab took the much-vaunted South African attack apart, taking the score from 95-5 to 177-6.
- ‘Definitely disappointing’ –
After finishing strongly with the bat, the Pakistanis began well with the ball, Quinton de Kock chipping Shaheen Shah Afridi to Mohammad Haris at midwicket for a duck on the last ball of the first over.
Afridi then removed the dangerous Rilee Rossouw for seven in his second over, caught by Naseem Shah on the third-man boundary, leaving South Africa 16-2.
South African captain Temba Bavuma has been struggling for form this tournament but he looked in great touch as he cruised to 36. He and Aiden Markram took the score to 65.
But Shadab changed the game in his first over, the leg-spinner having Bavuma caught behind bowling Markram through the gate one run later, leaving South Africa teetering at 66-4.
The rain, which had been falling lightly on and off for much of the match in Sydney, then began to come down more heavily, forcing the players from the field with nine overs down.
When they returned South Africa needed 73 runs in five overs, a target that proved too great.
“It was undoubtedly disappointing the way in which we ended our bowling and fielding,” Bavuma said.
“Getting them 4 down early — we’ve inquiries to ask and wish to return up with options.
“We knew the weather could be an issue. We probably didn’t adapt quickly enough.
“We need to put this sport previous us as shortly as attainable and are available once more.”
India prime the group with six factors, with South Africa second with 5. Only the highest two attain the semi-finals.
Pakistan is third and Bangladesh is fourth. They every have 4 factors however Pakistan’s web run charge is superior.
