T20 World Cup Semifinal: In a game that was literally down to the wire, fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi delivered career-best stats of 4-22 to help Pakistan defeat Bangladesh by five wickets and advance to the T20 World Cup semifinals. With 11 balls remaining in their modest 128-ball goal-scoring attempt in Adelaide, Pakistan beat their opponent and joined bitter for India in the final four of Group 2. The Netherlands’ stunning victory over South Africa in the day’s opening match, which advanced India to the semifinals, effectively changed the match into a quarterfinal.
To determine who will face whom in the final four, India takes on Zimbabwe in the tournament’s final Super 12 game later on Sunday in Melbourne. England and New Zealand advanced from Group 1.
Man-of-the-match Shaheen, who was injured and missed the most recent Asia Cup, stated: “I have improved. It’s challenging to recover from an injury, but I’m giving it my all.
Together, we are quite content. We performed admirably. The goal was to bowl quickly and in the proper spots.
When asked if he was anticipating the semifinals, he joked, “Now we are anticipating the final.”
Pakistan outperformed South Africa last week after losing to India in their first game and shockingly to Zimbabwe.
They were more upbeat following the shocking South Africa defeat earlier that day, and Shaheen struck first when the left-arm quick sent back Liton Das for 10 at the Adelaide Oval after Bangladesh elected to bat first.
When the always cautious Shadab Khan dropped the left-handed batsman on 11 at short extra, Najmul Hossain Shanto profited from the reprieve. The first player ended up scoring the most for Bangladesh with 54.
Shadab struck twice in quick succession, including a lbw call on Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan. Shadab afterwards examined the call and saw that the ball appeared to have touched the bat before it reached the pad on the replay.
Shakib appeared surprised, waved his hands, and refused to leave the field, but the third umpire affirmed the on-field decision.
Afif Hossain prevented a Shadab hat trick.
The loss of Shakib seemed to have an impact on the Bangladesh batsmen, who posted a below-par score despite Afif’s unbroken 24.
Shaheen struck twice in one over and then picked a fourth for the first time in his T20 career as Bangladesh lost regular wickets.
In an opening partnership of 57, Mohammad Rizwan, who made 32 after escaping a dropped catch on zero, and Babar Azam, who scored 25, started the chase, but Pakistan appeared to lose their focus in the middle.
In the following over, as Bangladesh attempted to recover, Rizwan was struck by fast bowler Ebadot Hossain, who also caused Mohammad Nawaz to run out on four.
To lead Pakistan into the semi-finals, though, Mohammad Haris scored 31 runs and formed partnerships, notably a 29-run stand with Shan Masood, who was undefeated on 24.
For test cricket score, cricket match updates, T20 World Cup Semifinal, live cricket score, live cricket news, test cricket score update and other cricket news follow livematchupdatesnews.com.
