When Pakistan lost their first two games of Super 12, against India and Zimbabwe respectively, not many would have thought that they would end up making the semi-finals of this T20 World Cup.
But they did, with a promising turnaround in their performances as they won their next three games and of course a big helping hand from The Netherlands, who stunningly knocked out South Africa from the race on Sunday. With their match against Bangladesh becoming a virtual quarter final, Pakistan did not err, winning by five wickets to set up a semi-final date with New Zealand in Syndey on Wednesday.
Pakistan’s bowlers did a good job in the first place, restricting Bangladesh to a paltry 127 for 8 with Shaheen Shah Afridi (4/22) being the pick of their bowlers. Leg-spinner Shadab Khan continued with his impressive showing, finishing with 2/30 as Bangladesh lost their way in spite of being decently placed at 73 for 1 in the 11th over.
Bangladesh, though, were aggrieved with the controversial LBW decision their captain Shakib-al Hasan suffered off Shadab’s bowling. That certainly was one of the critical moments of the game.
Pakistan, too, found the going tough in their run chase, till Mohammad Haris (31) and Shan Masood (24 not out) chipped in to take their team home with 11 balls to spare.
“Cricket is a funny game. And at the end of the day, it’s a team game and I do appreciate the entire team for the way they played in all the matches,” Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said at the post-match presentation.
Although Babar and Mohammad Rizwan had put on 57 upfront, Pakistan’s scoring rate then was still less than six per over. The game seemed to be getting tighter for them, but Haris hit a couple of maximums and a four in his 18-ball knock to ease the pressure.
Both Haris and Masood also ran very well between the wickets in their 29-run fourth-wicket stand in just 2.1 overs, which was instrumental in taking Pakistan home comfortably.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 127/8 in 20 overs (N. Hossain 54; S. Afridi 4/22, S. Khan 2/30). Pakistan 128/5 in 18.1 overs (M. Haris 31, S. Masood 24 n.o.; N. Ahmed 1/14). Pakistan won by 5 wickets.
