PAK vs BAN: "No One Was Able To Beat South Africa, But Pakistan Have Shown They Are Beatable" - Former Pakistan Pacer Shoaib Akhtar Heaps Praise On Babar Azam-Led Team

Pakistan beat South Africa by 33 runs through the Duckworth-Lewis method in their do-or-die Super 12 match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday, November 3. Legendary Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar was pleased with the Men in Green for putting up a fight against South Africa.

Despite losing skipper Babar Azam and star opener Mohammad Rizwan for low scores, middle-order batter Iftikhar Ahmed and all-rounder Shadab Khan made an 82-run partnership in just 36 balls to post a challenging total against the Proteas in the rain-curtailed encounter. They were 40-4 at one stage, but recovered well and scored 185 runs for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs.

What A Great Comeback From Pakistan Cricket Team – Shoaib Akhtar

Legendary pacer Shoaib Akhtar praised the Men in Green following their dominant win over South Africa in Sydney on Thursday, November 3. The former Pakistan fast bowler lauded Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed for showing that the Proteas are beatable.

“What a great comeback from Pakistan cricket team. Well done! No one was able to beat South Africa, but Pakistan have shown they are beatable. I really, really hope our prediction goes wrong and Pakistan somehow try to qualify for the semi-finals,” Shoaib Akhtar said.

“Well done, Shadab. Well done, Iftikhar. Again, you have proved so many people wrong, including me. You have done an amazing job! Haris, where was he? Why did Pakistan not play him before? Pakistan have done a wonderful job. I am happy that Pakistan were able to post a good total on a good batting pitch,” Akhtar said.

Iftikhar Ahmed scored 51 off 35 balls, while vice captain Shadab Khan became the second fastest by a Pakistan batsman in T20 World Cup history, scoring 52 off 22 balls, and also took 2 crucial wickets of Temba Bawuma and Aiden Markram.

The Temba Bavuma-led side managed to score 108-9 in 14 overs with a revised target of 142 runs as the match was reduced to 14 overs. Pakistan managed to stay alive in the semi-final race of the T20 World Cup. The Green Army will face Bangladesh in their final Super 12 match on Sunday.

Also read: AUS vs AFG: “I Will Say What I Did At The Start And That Is An Australia Versus India Final” – Former Australian Skipper Ricky Ponting Predicts ICC T20 World Cup Finalists