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Here’s how Pakistan can still qualify for the semi-finals in the 20-20 World Cup 2022

Pakistan kept their hopes alive for semi-finals with a 33-run win over South Africa on Thursday.
Pakistan
Pakistan: (Image Source: Twitter)

Pakistan registered another crucial win in the 20-20 World Cup 2022 against South Africa on Thursday to keep their hopes alive for the semi-finals. Riding on valuable contributions from Iftikhar Ahmed (51 off 35) and Shadab Khan (52 off 22), Pakistan managed to notch a formidable score of 185 runs in the first innings.

Mohammad Haris also impressed with his counter-attacking knock of 28 off 11 balls, including 2 fours and 3 sixes. Given how the South African bowling unit started the proceedings, they would have been disappointed for allowing Pakistan to notch a big total. South Africa’s lackluster fielding was equally responsible as the players had dropped too many catches.

Nortje was the pick of the bowlers, picking four wickets but conceded 41 runs in 4 overs. In pursuit of the run-chase, South Africa didn’t make a great start either. Shaheen Shah Afridi sent both Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw back to the hut inside the first three overs.

Temba Bavuma, however, held firm and played some sensational knocks during his knock of 36 off 19 balls. He stitched a pretty good partnership of 49 runs for the third wicket. But Shadab Khan’s arrival in the 8th over turned the tables in favour of Pakistan. Shadab had Bavuma caught behind his very first ball and then bowled Aiden Markram with a peach of a delivery.

The heavens opened up, thereafter and South Africa needed to chase 142 runs in 14 overs in a revised target (via the DLS method). Heinrich Klaasen (15 off 9) and Tristan Stubbs (18 off 18) tried to take South Africa as closer to the total as possible but it went in vain. In the end, Pakistan won the game by 33 runs.

Here’s how Pakistan can reach the semi-final:

A win for Pakistan would mean that they still have a chance of reaching the semi-final. Here’s a look in detail as how Pakistan can still reach the semi-final:

Pakistan currently have 2 wins in 4 matches with a net run rate of +1.117. They can reach the semi-final if they manage to beat Bangladesh in their last league-stage match and hope that India lose to Zimbabwe on Sunday.

Pakistan can also qualify if South Africa suffers a defeat against the Netherlands on Thursday. However, Pakistan’s campaign will come to an end if both India and South Africa win their next match.

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