Playing worldwide cricket for the reason that final century, when a few of his present teammates weren’t even born, Shoaib Malik on Sunday smashed a shocking 18-ball 54 to assist Pakistan beat Scotland by 72 runs within the T20 World Cup. led the way in which.
It was India’s joint-fastest half-century of the match with opener KL Rahul’s 18-ball 50, which additionally got here towards Scotland, as Pakistan posted 189 for 4 to limit the Scots to 117 for six. Had given.
As his Indian tennis participant spouse Sania Mirza watched from the stands, 39-year-old Malik hit six sixes throughout his unbeaten innings, which affected skipper Babar Azam’s fourth half-century of the match.
Batting first, Pakistan posted 129 runs within the final 10 with 60 for 2 within the half-leg.
With the ball, the in-form group did what was anticipated of them of their earlier Super 12 engagement to set a semi-final date with Australia.
Pakistan made their manner into the final 4 with 5 wins from as many matches, underlining their credentials as one of many agency’s favourites.
Thanks to Malik’s scintillating innings, Pakistan scored 43 runs within the final two overs, together with 26 off the final six balls bowled by Chris Greaves.
Incidentally, it was at this location that Malik made his One Day International debut towards West Indies in October 1999. His first Pakistani captain Wasim Akram had retired from the sport nearly twenty years in the past.
Meanwhile, Babar, who as soon as once more performed the accumulator, grew to become solely the third batsman after former Australia opener Matthew Hayden and India captain Virat Kohli to attain 4 half-centuries within the T20 World Cup, who achieved the feat in 2007 and 2014 respectively. achieved. .
After a 60 for 2 within the half-leg, Pakistan scored 129 for 10.
fixture description for #T20World Cup In the semifinals!
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Deciding to bat first, Babar Mohammad Rizwan received off to a quiet begin because the Scotland bowlers managed to maintain the run price under six until the ability play.
After hitting Bradley Wheel for a six over deep mid-wicket, Rizwan was dismissed by Hamza Tahir, who dismissed the batsman with a toss-up supply earlier than the wicketkeeper acquired an under-edge.
The Scots are to be recommended for the way in which they stored a lid on Pakistan’s scoring as they ended the ability play on 35 for no loss, which ended with Rizwan’s dismissal on the primary ball of the following over. Turns out to be 35.
Pakistan weren’t so good at 60 for 2 within the midway stage as Scotland managed to get their opponents to run for one ball.
semifinal for pakistan#T20World Cup | #PAKvSCO | https://t.co/Wbd8jqC0g6 pic.twitter.com/124R2KV60c
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However, issues modified utterly as Pakistan entered the again 10 with each Babar and the skilled Mohammad Hafeez (31 off 19 balls) clearing the ropes at common intervals throughout a fast-paced 53-run third-wicket partnership. Cut unfastened for.
Babar was his standard elegant man when he performed the ball alongside the bottom, however on the similar time, he did not hesitate to go excessive, which resulted in three sixes.
After Babar’s dismissal, the present belonged to Malik.
Chasing massively, Scotland misplaced the wickets of captain Kyle Coetzer and Matthew Cross with simply 36 runs on the board.
Scotland have been by no means within the recreation as they scored 42 for 2 on the finish of the primary 10 overs.
Richie Berrington was the one batsman from Scotland to shine in 54 balls off 37 balls.
The greatest optimistic for Pakistan’s bowling was the way in which Shadab Khan used to bowl (2/140), getting his googlies and leg-spinners on proper earlier than the massive semi-final towards the Aussies.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
