Pakistan Keep Their Semi-Final Hopes Alive With 33 Run Win Against South Africa Via DLS Method

PAK vs SA: Pakistan, after losing 2 out of 3 matches, defeated the undefeated South Africa side to keep their semi-final hopes alive. Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan were the stars with the ball as Pakistan managed to clinch the rain-interrupted match by 33 runs against South Africa via the DLS Method. 

Chasing 186 runs to win, South Africa's top-order batting was shattered by the Pakistani bowling. Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan grabbed a couple of wickets each as South Africa were struggling at 69/4 after 9 overs. 

The rain stopped play after the 9th over, and the target was revised to 142 runs to win in 14 overs. This meant, South Africa required 73 runs more to win off 5 overs. South Africa batters - Tristan Stubbs (18) and Heinrich Klaasen (15) tried to smash but Pakistan's bowling got the better of the Proteas' batters. 

Temba Bavuma was the top scorer for the African team with 36 runs off 19 balls with 4 fours & a six. For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi picked up 3 wickets while Shadab Khan grabbed 2 wickets. Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr. & Naseem Shah also managed 1 wicket each. After the openers departed early yet again, Iftikhar Ahmed and Shabad Khan smacked thunderous fifties as Pakistan posted 185/8 against South Africa in an important Super 12 match. 

While Mohammad Rizwan (4) was dismissed in the first over, Babar Azam stayed on till the 6th over before getting dismissed for just 6 runs in 15 balls. Playing his first match in T20 World Cup, Mohammad Haris smacked 2 fours & 3 sixes for his 28 runs (11 balls) before Anrich Nortje got the better of him. 

Shan Masood (2) was also dismissed cheaply by Nortje. Theron, Iftikhar and Shabad etched a smashing partnership of 82 runs in 36 balls for the 6th wicket. Shadab smacked his half-century in just 20 balls and scored 52 runs in 22 balls with 3 fours & 4 sixes before getting dismissed in the 19th over. 

Iftikhar on the other hand was dismissed in the last over after smashing 51 runs off 35 balls with 3 fours & 2 sixes. For South Africa, Anrich Nortje starred with 4 wickets to his name. Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Tabraiz Shamsi managed 1 wicket each. 

Also Read: Today Live Match Scorecard

Earlier, Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss & opted to bat first against South Africa in the Super 12 match of the T20 World Cup 2022. This match is being played at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. 

Brief Score:

• PAK – 185/8 (Shadab - 52(22), Nortje - 4/41)
• SA – _ (Bavuma - 36(19), Shaheen - 3/14)