Shadab Khan, the Pakistani all-rounder, took the wickets of Proteas captain Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram after playing a solid knock of 52 runs in 22 balls, to help his side defeat South Africa by 33 runs (DLS method).
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Khan’s knock, combined with the 35-ball 51-run innings played by Iftikhar Ahmed, Pakistan managed to put up a formidable total of 185/9 for South Africa. The Proteas did not manage a decent start, and lost two wickets by the time they managed to out 16 runs on the board.
In his opening two overs, Shaheen Afridi struck twice, returning Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw. The out-of-form Bavuma, however, found runs again. He hit Haris Rauf for 20 runs in the fourth over alongside Markram and then rolled him for two boundaries and a six in his next over.
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However, then Babar Azam brought in Shadab Khan, who immediately sent back dangerous looking Bevuma. Two balls later, he also sent back Aiden Markram back to the pavilion. When play was eventually suspended due to rain, Pakistan had managed to hold South Africa to 69/ 4 in 9 overs.
South Africa was left chasing 142 in 14 overs as six overs were lost due to rain, which meant they needed 73 runs in five overs. The Pakistani bowlers used their variations skillfully, but they still managed to give up 25 runs in the first 10 balls, increasing the required run total to 48 in 20 balls. At that point, the South African batting order collapsed.Wayne Parnell was caught legbefore after getting a top edge, and Tristan Stubbs dragged a slower ball to fine leg before Klaasen was caught at short third. South Africa was ultimately limited to 108 for 9.
Earlier in the first innings, Pakistan’s top order was torn apart by the South African pace attack, reducing them to 43 for 4 in 6.3 overs. However, Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz’s 52-run partnership helped Pakistan steady their innings before Shadab’s hard fought half-century propelled Pakistan to 185 for 9.
Pakistan are struggling to keep their hopes for a semi-final spot alive after their shocking loss to Zimbabwe. They are still not in the contention, and to make it to the knockouts, they would like other results to go in their favour.
