SPORTS

Pakistan seal semifinal spot by beating Namibia by 45 runs

Pakistan stormed into the ICC T20 World Cup semifinals after Mohammad Rizwan (50-ball 79 not out) and Babar Azam (49-ball 70) hammered a 113-run opening partnership in the team’s 45-run victory over Namibia in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

Namibia’s last four overs disappeared for 62 as the Group 2 leaders posted 189-2, more than enough to secure their fourth straight victory and confirm a first appearance in the semi-finals of the tournament since 2012.

All-rounder David Wiese top-scored with an unbeaten 43 as Namibia replied with a spirited effort of 144-5, but they never looked like seriously threatening to overhaul Pakistan’s total.

Babar won the toss and opted to bat for the first time in the tournament, but he and Rizwan were initially forced to take a restrained approach thanks to Ruben Trumpelmann’s miserly powerplay bowling.

The left-arm seamer, who took three wickets in his first four balls against Scotland earlier in the tournament, got the ball to swing as he rattled off a maiden over and gave up only two runs from his second.

Rizwan struggled to get going, making just two before he successfully reviewed JJ Smit’s lbw appeal and that proved the catalyst for him to settle into his groove – although it took him until the 12th over to dispatch Trumpelmann for the first six of the innings.

By then Babar was in full flow, punishing anything short and reaching his half-century from 39 balls, with the partnership progressing beyond three figures before he eventually pulled Wiese (1-30) into the hands of deep mid-wicket.

Although Pakistan also lost Fakhar Zaman for five, with Namibia wicketkeeper Zane Green nimbly changing course to take a superb left-handed grab, Mohammad Hafeez maintained his side’s momentum with an inventive 32 not out from 16.

But it was Rizwan who hit the accelerator hardest, flicking Wiese’s full toss for six to bring up his 50 and then flaying the luckless Smit for 24 in the final over to ensure Pakistan made an imposing score.

Namibia suffered an early blow in the chase when Hasan Ali brought a ball back to uproot Michael van Lingen’s off stump, but Stephan Baard (29 from 29) went for some bold shots, the best of them a flicked six over square leg off Haris Rauf.

He and Craig Williams added 47 from 43, but the partnership came to an unfortunate end when Baard set off in search of a second run and was sent back, failing to beat Rauf’s throw to the ‘keeper.

Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus, batting with a broken finger, struck a quick 15 before he fell to Imad Wasim (1-13) and, when Williams (40 from 37) holed out to long-off, his side’s faint hopes were effectively ended.

Hasan (1-22) and Rauf (1-25) bowled tidily to close the game out, although there was still time for Wiese to enjoy himself, blazing both Rauf and Shaheen Afridi for sixes to finish 43 not out from 31 deliveries.

However, Pakistan will also be pleased to see Mohammad Hafeez among the runs, while seam duo Hasan Ali and Haris Rauf both bowled well to ensure they defended the target with ease.

For Namibia, the experienced David Wiese again underlined how vital he is to the team with both bat and ball, but opener Stephan Baard – brought into the line-up for his first Super 12 appearance – also caught the eye, playing fearlessly against Pakistan’s powerplay bowling.

First up are New Zealand, who can boost their chances of qualifying if they see off Scotland in Dubai  – and that would put added pressure on the other main contenders,India and Afghanistan, who clash later in Abu Dhabi .

Brief Scores:

Pakistan 189/2 in 20 overs (Md Rizwan 79 not out, Babar Azam 70, Md Hafeez 32 not out). Namibia 144/5 in 20 overs (Craig Williams 40, David Wiese 43 not out, Imad Wasim 1/13).

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button
Close