Shadab Khan shines as Pak bounce back!

All-round show by leg-spinner Khan (52 & 2-16) helps Babar Azam & Co beat Proteas to stay alive

Shadab Khan produced a special all-round effort as Pakistan kept their semi-final hopes alive with a 33-run win over South Africa in a rain-curtailed T20 World Cup match here on Thursday. 

Shadab first led Pakistan’s strong batting display with a scintillating 22-ball 52, propelling them to 185 for nine.

Shaheen Shah Afridi (3-14) and Shadab (2-16) then blew away the South African top order as the Proteas could manage 108 for 9 in 14 overs. As per DLS method, South Africa were set a revised target of 142 runs in 14 overs. 

With the win, Pakistan (four points) moved up to the third spot in Group 2, While South Africa (five points) continued to stay second behind leaders India (six points).

While Shaheen got rid of the dangerous Quinton de Kock (0) and Riley Rossouw (7), Shadab accounted for skipper Temba Bavuma (36) and Aiden Makram (20) before rain interrupted play.

Also read: Former Pakistan players question team selection

With South Africa needing 73 off five overs after rain cut short the game by six overs, Tristan Stubbs (18) and Heinrich Klaasen (15) came all guns blazing. Under the pump, Klaasen slapped Shadab for a four before hitting Shaheen for back-to-back boundaries through the cow corner and over mid off, but couldn’t keep the antics going as the left-armer forced an inside edge to claim South Africa’s fifth wicket.

Earlier, Iftikhar Ahmed made 51 in 35 balls and anchored the innings after they were tottering at 43-4 in the seventh over. Shadab, who reached his half-century in 20 balls, struck four sixes and three fours in his whirlwind knock. 

Captain Babar Azam, who failed with the bat once again, was full of praise for his fighting side. “Everyone is a match-winner. Our first two matches were close losses, but we’ve given 100 per cent in the last two matches and you never know, cricket is a funny game. We hope for the best.”

Brief scores
Pakistan 185-9 in 20 overs (Shadab 52, I Ahmed 51; A Nortje 4-41) beat SA 108-9 in 14 overs (T Bavuma 36; S Afridi 3-14, Shadab 2-16) by 33 runs (D/L method)

How Pakistan can make it to the semis

. Beat Bangladesh on Sunday
. Hope either India or South Africa lose their final games against Zimbabwe and The Netherlands respectively.
. A no result for SA will also give Pakistan an opportunity to secure the semi-final spot

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