Pakistan still remains in the semifinal race technically by beating South Africa tonight. Babar Azam and his men won the game by 33 runs (D/L method) and handed over South Africa its first defeat in the tournament. It was all-rounder Shadab Khan who stole the show with both the bat and the ball (52, 2/16).
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first. Opener Mohammed Rizwan got out in the first over itself. Within no time, Pak lost the wickets of Babar Azam, Mohammed Haris and Masood as well. That’s when Ifthikar Ahmed (51) and Nawaz (28) settled the innings by making a partnership of 52 runs. After Nawaz got out, Ifthikar and Shadab’s (52 off 22 balls) 82-run stand ensured a high total for Pakistan. In the process, both of them scored their respective half-centuries. Shadab’s quickfire fifty was one of the fastest in World Cup history. Eventually, Pakistan ended its innings at 185/9. Anrich Nortje (4/41) scalped four wickets for South Africa.
South Africa lost the wicket of Quinton de Kock right in the first over during this chase. Within no time, Rilee Rossouw also got out. Then, Temba Bavuma (36) and Aiden Markram (20) played some good shots. That’s when Shadab Khan (2-0-16-2) came and got both their wickets. When the score was 69/4 in 9 overs, the rain stopped the play.
After the break, the target was revised to 142 in 14 overs. South Africa needed 73 runs in five overs. Tristan Stubbs (18) and Henrich Klassen (15) started off well by scoring 14 runs in the 10th over. But Shaheen Afridi turned the game by scalping Klassen’s wicket in the next over. After that, South Africa lost a wicket in every over. Eventually, it ended its innings by scoring 108/9 in 14 overs. Shaheen Afridi (3/14) took three wickets for his team.
Pakistan will play its last game against Bangladesh on November 6. South Africa will face the Netherlands on the same day. But for Pakistan to qualify, it should beat Bangladesh. On top of that, either Netherlands should beat South Africa or Zimbabwe should defeat India.
