Pakistan Cricket Team Qualify For T20 World Cup Semi Final, Joins India From Group 2

After defeating Bangladesh by five wickets at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday, Pakistan has joined India in the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinals from Super 12 Group 2. 

Prior to the match between Pakistan and Bangladesh, South Africa faltered in front of a spirited Netherlands team at the same site, giving Pakistan a golden opportunity to advance to the last-four round. It will be Pakistan’s second consecutive semi-final appearance under Babar Azam’s leadership. 

Shaheen Afridi And Shadab Khan Destroy Bangladesh Batting

Pakistan held Bangladesh to a disappointing total of 127/8 thanks to Shaheen Afridi‘s four wickets. Afridi, who has been making progress toward returning to full fitness, had an early impact by dismissing Bangladesh’s star opener Liton Das for 10 runs. 

Shadab Khan shocked Bangladesh supporters with a double blow, trapping Soumya Sarkar (20) and skipper Shakib Al Hasan for a golden duck, just as Bangladesh was beginning to rebuild their innings. The Bangladesh captain and the on-field umpire got into a disagreement over the skipper’s dismissal. 

Afif Hossain clipped the ball to deep square, depriving Shadab of the chance to clinch a hat-trick as Shakib left the field with a heavy heart. Shakib’s firing triggered Bangladesh’s panic button and put an end to Najmul Hossain Shanto’s comeback. 

Iftikhar Ahmed promptly cleaned up Shanto (54) after he reached his fifty. Afridi shook Bangladesh’s middle order in the final five overs, scooping up three additional wickets to complete his figures of 4/22.

Pakistan Prevails Despite Slow Start

In response, Pakistan’s opening duo of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam further infuriated their supporters by getting off to a slow start. The pair added 50 runs for Pakistan using 57 runs after having trouble scoring runs. Babar’s nightmare innings was terminated by Nasum Ahmed for 25 off 33. 

Pakistan was left on 61/2 in 11.2 overs when Rizwan (run-a-ball 32) quickly followed his skipper back to the dugout. Mohammad Nawaz, who was about to bat, also had trouble before being bowled out for 4 off 11 balls. With their rapid hitting, Mohammad Harris and Shan Masood lost no time in eliminating Bangladesh from the game and the rising asking run rate. 

Also Read: IND vs ZIM: Team India Qualify For ICC T20 World Cup Semi Final After Netherlands Beat South Africa