Shadab keeps Pakistan’s semis hopes alive

Pakistan stayed in contention for the T20 World Cup semifinals after beating South Africa by 33 runs in a rain-affected match on Thursday.

South Africa would have clinched a top-four berth with a win, and have a last chance on Sunday against the Netherlands. Pakistan have won two after two opening losses and faces Bangladesh on Sunday. But the winner of the clash will need help from others in Group 2 to advance. S h a d a b K h a n smashed a 21-ball half-century to lead Pakistan to 184-9 after being 43-4 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Rain interrupted South Africa’s chase, and the target was revised to 142 off 14 overs on the Duckworth-LewisStern method. But the Proteas were restricted to 108-9. Shadab picked up two wickets with his first three deliveries and was an easy man-of-the-match pick. His blistering 52 off 22 balls, which featured four sixes and three fours, revived Pakistan.


Iftikhar Ahmed added 51 off 35 balls against sloppy South African fielding. After the rain break, South Africa couldn’t cope with the pressure of scoring more than 14 an over. AP Shadab Keeps Pakistan’s Semis Hopes Alive Allrounder smashes a 22-ball 52 and picks up 2/16 to lead Pakistan to a crucial win over South Africa Shadab Khan (centre) Virat Kohli (L) shakes hands with Bangladesh’s Nurul Hasan.

BRIEF SCORES

Pakistan 185/9 (Shadab 52 off 22, Iftikhar 51 off 31; Nortje 4/41) beat South Africa 108/9 in 14 overs (Bavuma 36 off 19; Afridi 3/14, Shadab 2/16) by 33 runs (DLS method)