T20 WC: In a thrilling rain-affected match on Thursday at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Pakistan defeated South Africa by a score of 33 runs to maintain their tenuous T20 World Cup chances.
South Africa came out strong, needing 73 runs in just five overs after their initial aim of 186 was lowered to 142 due to a rain delay. South Africa is still on course to advance to the semifinals. Nevertheless, the asking rate was too high, and they were dismissed for 108-9 at the end of an exciting match that had a number of incidents, including bad weather, good bowling, and missed catches.
If they defeat Bangladesh in their final match and other factors align, Pakistan still has a chance to move to the World Cup semifinals with their victory.
They must, however, make the supposition that South Africa and India would both lose their most recent games.
Earlier, Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan of Pakistan’s batting team salvaged the team with an incredible 82-run combination.
When Iftikhar joined the game, Pakistan was in a dire situation at 43-4. He hit 51 off 35 balls, while Shadab exploded for 52 off 22, helping Pakistan finish their innings at 185-9.
The top order of Pakistan was completely devastated by the South African seam onslaught, and it looked like Pakistan might withdraw from the match early.
Iftikhar, however, stayed unwavering, combining with Mohammad Nawaz for 52 runs before he and Shadab destroyed the vaunted South African attack and increased the score from 95-5 to 177-6.
On the final ball of the first over, Quinton de Kock chipped Shaheen Afridi to Mohammad Haris at midwicket for a duck, demonstrating Pakistan’s capacity to start well with the ball following a strong showing with the bat.
As a result of Afridi’s second-over dismissal of the dangerous Rilee Rossouw for seven runs, caught by Naseem Shah on the third-man boundary, South Africa was reduced to 16-2.
Temba Bavuma, the South African team’s captain, advanced to position 36 despite having a challenging tournament with his form. He added Aiden Markram, bringing the total to 65.
Leg-spinner Shadab changed the outcome of the game in his first over when he caught Bavuma behind the stumps and bowled Markram through the gate one run later, leaving South Africa 66-4.
The players were removed from the field with nine over remaining as a result of the rain, which had been intermittently dropping lightly for the majority of the game.
When they came back, South Africa had a target of 73 runs in five overs, which was too lofty.
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