With 185 runs for the loss of 9 wickets, Pakistan beat South Africa, who managed a mere 108 for the loss of 9 wickets.
The hopes of Pakistan for semi-finals have been kept alive due to this match played against South Africa. Though Pakistan was all set with the bat, they managed to win with the ball. Quinton de Kock and also Rilee Rossouw were cheaply dismissed by Shahid Afridi, on the other hand, Temba Bavuma played one of his best innings of 2022.
Haris hit out
Mohammed Haris was included in Pakistan XI as Fakhar Zaman was suffering from a knee injury. He was sparked into action after the second ball he faced. He cost South Africa 17 runs, and this was the most expensive over for them. He showed strength on the left side. He got out with a lbw. Pakistan finished the Power play with a high score of 42 runs.
Was Nawaz out?
With a fifth ‘wicket-stand’ of 52 runs, Mohammad Nawaz and Iftikhar Ahmad managed to help their team recover from 43 for 4.
While Iftikhar benefitted from the misfired lengths and lines, Nawaz got hold of Shamsi and Ngidi. He had slogged Shamsi but was struck and given out. He did not bother to review. According to the law, there were chances of him being not out.
For the Better
Shadab Khan came next to the crease and this was the best thing to have happened to Pakistan. Shadab seemed to have taken a liking to Shamsi and managed to take 13 runs off the final over. He managed to make 50 runs in 20 balls. Finally, he was caught by Tristan Stubbs.
Off the last 7 over’s Pakistan made 90 runs.
Amazing Start of Afridi
Afridi managed to get the wicket of de Kock for a duck. In the very next over, Afridi did pull in the big fish of South Africa, Rossouw. This was a ball that, in no way, deserved any wicket. Rossouw hit this but unfortunately for him, was caught by Naseem Shah. South Africa was 16 runs and had lost 2 wickets.
Double Strike of Shadab
Bavuma, who made 36 runs in only 18 balls, played the most outstanding innings. Shadab was brought in the 8th over and he just took over. He delivered a ‘leg-break’. Bavuma tried hitting this to third. This strike was important as rain was in sight and South Africa was behind in the DLS. The par was 59 with 2 down in 7.1 over’s. With 3 down, this jumped to 66. At that time South Africa was on 65. After this it got only worse. After 2 balls, Shadab managed to bowl Markram. Now the score for South Africa was 66 runs for the loss of 4 wickets. After 9 balls the teams were taken off. It was now clear that Shadab had managed to decide the match.
South Africa required 85 runs and not 69 for 4.
