T20 World Cup 2021, PAK vs NAM (Super 12): Azam-Rizwan show tames NAM, PAK virtually seals semis berth
Pakistan continued its brilliant show to defeat Namibia by 45 runs in Super 12 of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. With this win, Pakistan has virtually sealed its place in the semis.
FollowThere is no stopping Pakistan as it comfortably tamed minnows Namibia by 45 runs in its Group 2's Super 12 clash of the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. With this win, Pakistan has virtually sealed its place in the tournament's semis, thanks to a brilliant batting display by Mohammad Rizwan (79) and Babar Azam (70).
FULL SCORECARD: ICC T20 World Cup 2021, Pakistan vs Namibia (Super 12)
Winning the toss, Pakistan skipper Azam opted to bat, playing the same team, while Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus made a couple of changes. The Pakistani openers were off to a brilliant start, with Rizwan and Azam contributing to a 113-run gleaming partnership. In the 15th over, pacer David Wiese dismissed the latter after scoring his 23rd T20 half-century.
Nine runs later, Fakhar Zaman (5) fell to pacer Jan Frylinck in the next over. However, Rizwan scored his tenth T20I half-century and batted until the end, along with Mohammad Hafeez (32) to finish on 189/2. The Namibians put six bowlers into the attack, with Wiese and Frylinck claiming a wicket each, while the former was the most economical of all.
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In reply, Namibia lost Michael van Lingen (4) in the second over to pacer Hasan Ali, with just eight runs on the board. However, a 47-run stand ensued between fellow opener Stephan Baard (29) and Craig Williams (40) before the former was dismissed off an unfortunate run out in the ninth.
Namibia stayed in the chase but could not get the partnerships going. After 27 runs, at 83, Erasmus fell to spinner Imad Wasim in the 13th, while ten runs later, Williams departed to pacer Shadab Khan in the 14th. Next to walk off was JJ Smit (2) to pacer Haris Rauf in the 17th, at 110. Although Wiese (43*) played some shots and played sensible cricket to stay in the chase, the scoreboard pressure was too much.
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Wiese, along with Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton (7*), stayed unbeaten until the end, as Pakistan eventually won the tie by 45 runs. The Pakistanis utilised six bowlers, with four wicket-takers, claiming a wicket each, while Wasim was decently economical.
Brief scores: Pakistan 189/2 (Rizwan- 79*, Azam- 70; Wiese- 1/30) beat Namibia 144/5 (Williams- 40, Wiese- 43; Wasim- 1/13) by 45 runs.
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