Last Update on: November 7th, 2022 at 01:34 pm
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In their final Group 2 match of the Super 12s on Sunday at the Adelaide Oval, left-arm bowler Shaheen Afridi took four wickets to help Pakistan secure their semifinal position in the Men’s T20 World Cup with a five-wicket victory over Bangladesh.
Due to the unpredictable nature of the tournament, this matchup effectively became a knockout match after the Netherlands defeated South Africa by 13 runs at the same venue earlier in the day. Pakistan took advantage of the unexpected lifeline and good fortune to advance to the semifinals for the second time in as many tournaments.
We Have To Praise Shaheen Afridi’s Courage: Aaqib Javed
Former Pakistani cricketer Aaqib Javed said that Shaheen Afridi’s knocking down Mosaddek Hossain’s stumps in the 17th over signaled the beginning of his comeback. In order to dismiss the batter, Shaheen went behind the stumps and got the full ball to shape away late.
“He moved the new ball and the toughest challenge for a fast bowler is to get the ball to shape away from round the stumps with the old ball. That’s a sign that he is back.
I don’t remember what I was thinking at night but when I woke up the world had changed,” Aaqib said on Geo Super.
“When he was selected, we were all troubled. Playing him directly with just one warm-up game. So much pressure.
He is a tough kid, his toe was fractured too in the past but he kept on playing, we have to praise his courage . He has gradually picked up his rhythm during this tournament. South Africa once learnt it was a decider choked,” Aaqib said.
After Bangladesh had once been 70/1, Afridi claimed four wickets while giving up 22 runs in his four overs to limit them to 127/8. After losing their first two matches in the tournament, Pakistan responded by chasing down the score with 11 balls remaining despite several hiccups along the road to achieve an entry into the semifinals.
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