Pakistan beat Namibia to reach semi-finals

Skysports

Published: November 3, 2021, 11:11 AM

Pakistan beat Namibia to reach semi-finals

Pakistan openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan pulverised Namibia's bowling to set up a 45-run victory that sealed their semi-final place in the T20 World Cup.

Babar, who hit 70 from 49 balls, and Rizwan, with an undefeated 79 from 50, shared an opening partnership of 113 in Abu Dhabi - a record fifth century stand by any opening pair in T20 internationals.

Namibia's last four overs disappeared for 62 as the Group 2 leaders posted 189-2, more than enough to secure their fourth straight victory and confirm a first appearance in the semi-finals of the tournament since 2012.

All-rounder David Wiese top-scored with an unbeaten 43 as Namibia replied with a spirited effort of 144-5, but they never looked like seriously threatening to overhaul Pakistan's total.

Babar won the toss and opted to bat for the first time in the tournament, but he and Rizwan were initially forced to take a restrained approach thanks to Ruben Trumpelmann's miserly powerplay bowling.

The left-arm seamer, who took three wickets in his first four balls against Scotland earlier in the tournament, got the ball to swing as he rattled off a maiden over and gave up only two runs from his second.

Rizwan struggled to get going, making just two before he successfully reviewed JJ Smit's lbw appeal and that proved the catalyst for him to settle into his groove - although it took him until the 12th over to dispatch Trumpelmann for the first six of the innings.

By then Babar was in full flow, punishing anything short and reaching his half-century from 39 balls, with the partnership progressing beyond three figures before he eventually pulled Wiese (1-30) into the hands of deep mid-wicket.

Although Pakistan also lost Fakhar Zaman for five, with Namibia wicketkeeper Zane Green nimbly changing course to take a superb left-handed grab, Mohammad Hafeez maintained his side's momentum with an inventive 32 not out from 16.

But it was Rizwan who hit the accelerator hardest, flicking Wiese's full toss for six to bring up his 50 and then flaying the luckless Smit for 24 in the final over to ensure Pakistan made an imposing score.

Namibia suffered an early blow in the chase when Hasan Ali brought a ball back to uproot Michael van Lingen's off stump, but Stephan Baard (29 from 29) went for some bold shots, the best of them a flicked six over square leg off Haris Rauf.

He and Craig Williams added 47 from 43, but the partnership came to an unfortunate end when Baard set off in search of a second run and was sent back, failing to beat Rauf's throw to the 'keeper.

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