Pakistan defeated Namibia by 45 runs to reserve their place in the semifinals of the T20 World Cup; Watch New Zealand vs Scotland, followed by India vs Afghanistan from 9:30 am Wednesday, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event
Pakistan starters Babar Azam (L) and Mohammad Rizwan shared a position of 113 in their T20 World Cup match against Namibia
Pakistani starters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan pulverized Namibia’s bowling alley to set up a 45-run victory that sealed their spot in the T20 World Cup semifinals.
Babar, who hit 70 of 49 balls, and Rizwan, unbeaten 79 of 50, shared a starting pair of 113 in Abu Dhabi, a fifth-century record position for any starting pair in the T20 internationals.
Namibia’s final four overs disappeared by 62 as the Group 2 leaders posted 189-2, more than enough to secure their fourth consecutive win and confirm a first appearance in the tournament semifinals since 2012.
All-rounder David Wiese topped the scorer with an undefeated 43 as Namibia responded with a spirited 144-5 effort, but never looked like a serious threat to review Pakistan’s total.
Babar won the toss and opted to hit for the first time in the tournament, but he and Rizwan were initially forced to take a moderate approach thanks to Ruben Trumpelmann’s greedy bowling game.
The left arm closer, who took three wickets on his first four balls against Scotland earlier in the tournament, got the ball swinging while reciting a maiden and allowed just two runs from the second.
Rizwan struggled to get going, doing just two before successfully reviewing the appeal of JJ Smit’s lbw and that proved to be the catalyst for him to settle into his rhythm, although it took him until the 12th to dispatch Trumpelmann for the first six. of the entrances.
By then, Babar was in full swing, punishing anything short and hitting his 39-ball half-century, with the association progressing past three figures before finally taking Wiese (1-30) into the hands of a wicket. medium deep.
Although Pakistan also lost Fakhar Zaman by five, with Namibia goalkeeper Zane Green nimbly changing course to take a superb left-handed grip, Mohammad Hafeez kept his team’s momentum going with an inventive 32 instead of 16.
But it was Rizwan who hit the gas the hardest, moving Wiese’s full pitch by six to raise his 50 and then skinning the unfortunate Smit by 24 in the final to ensure Pakistan made an impressive score.
Namibia took a hit early in the chase when Hasan Ali brought a ball back to rip off Michael van Lingen’s stump, but Stephan Baard (29 of 29) went for some bold shots, the best of which was a six over the ball. Haris Rauf’s square leg. .
He and Craig Williams added 47 of 43, but the partnership came to an unfortunate end when Baard set off in search of a second run and was sent back, unable to beat Rauf’s shot to the keeper.
Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus, hitting with a broken finger, hit a quick 15 before falling to Imad Wasim (1-13) and, when Williams (40 of 37) hit the finish line, his team’s feeble hopes were dashed. they effectively ended.
Hasan (1-22) and Rauf (1-25) pitched in an orderly fashion to close out the game, although there was still time for Wiese to have fun, burning both Rauf and Shaheen Afridi by six to finish 43 instead of 31 deliveries. .
Very simple, Babar Azam and Mohammad rizwan watch the best opening pair of white balls in international cricket right now, taking the game away from Namibia with their second century of the tournament.
However, Pakistan will also be pleased to see Mohammad hafeez between races, while duo sewing Hasan ali and Haris Rauf they both shot well to make sure they defended the target with ease.
For Namibia, the experienced David wiese stressed again how vital he is to the team with both the bat and the ball, but the starter Stephan baard – brought into the lineup for his first Super 12 appearance – also turned heads, playing fearlessly against the mighty bowling of Pakistan.
With Pakistan now guaranteed their place in the semi-finals, the battle escalates between teams vying for second place in Group 2.
First they are New Zealand, which can increase your chances of qualifying if you get fired Scotland in Dubai (10:00 am), and that would put additional pressure on the other main contenders, India and Afghanistan, which will meet later in Abu Dhabi (2pm).
Coverage of both games begins at 9:30 am, on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event.
Watch the T20 World Cup live on Sky from now until November 14.
