Hero: Shadab Khan starred with bat and ball for Pakistan against South Africa in Sydney
(Picture: Getty Images)Shadab Khan’s heroics with bat and ball mean Pakistan are still in business at the T20 World Cup after beating South Africa by 33 runs in a rain-affected contest in Sydney this morning.
Needing a win to take their qualification hopes to the final round of fixtures, Pakistan looked destined for the exit door when falling to 43-4 but a brilliant partnership between Iftikhar Ahmed (51 off 35) and Shadab (52 off 22) rescued the situation in slippery conditions and helped Babar Azam’s side to 185-9 from their 20 overs.
South Africa lost star opener Quinton de Kock for nought, the first of three wickets for quick Shaheen Afridi, before two for Shadab as the rain arrived crucially left the Proteas well behind the DLS rate and chasing a reduced target of 142 from 14 overs when play resumed.
Pakistan’s win puts them back in contention in third place in Group 2, a point behind South Africa, who can still book a semi-final place by beating the Netherlands in their final game.
India are now top of the group, a point further ahead, and need only a point from their meeting with Zimbabwe to qualify, while Pakistan must beat Bangladesh and hope for an upset elsewhere.
