Pakistan boosted their slim hopes of progressing in the Men’s T20 World Cup with a brilliantly frenetic win against South Africa at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Pakistan launched a recovery from 48-4 to post 185-9 and then took regular wickets to deny South Africa in a chase shortened by rain to win by 33 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.
The result means Pakistan can still qualify for the semi-finals, but need to beat Bangladesh on Sunday and hope South Africa fail to beat Netherlands or India lose to Zimbabwe.
They are indebted to Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed, who combined for a wild partnership of 82 from 36 balls.
Shadab smashed 52 from 22 balls and Iftikhar a 35-ball 51 in an infectious display of hitting, to the delight of a raucous, Pakistan-dominated crowd.
Then, after Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram put on 49 in 27 balls to give South Africa hope, leg-spinner Shadab removed both within three deliveries.
Rain arrived soon after, with the target reduced to 142 off 14 overs, South Africa needing 73 off 30 balls from 69-4.
Heinrich Klaasen hinted at an improbable Proteas win by striking three fours in his first four balls after the restart but his dismissal, caught off Shaheen Afridi, allowed Pakistan to clinically close out the match.
Previously unbeaten South Africa would have been the first side to confirm a semi-final spot had they won, but will still go through by beating Netherlands on Sunday.
Pakistan could go through if they beat Bangladesh and South Africa-Netherlands is washed out. The two sides would then be level on six points, but Pakistan would go through by having three wins to the Proteas’ two. (BBC Sport)
