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T20 World Cup: Pakistan beat Namibia to qualify for semi-final

Pakistan registered a comfortable 45-run victory over Namibia

Pakistan stormed into the ICC T20 World Cup semifinals after Mohammad Rizwan (50-ball 79 not out) and Babar Azam (49-ball 70) hammered a 113-run opening partnership in the team’s 45-run victory over Namibia in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

Opting to chase in the Group 2 match, Pakistan batsmen negated Namibia’s pace threat in the powerplay and then blasted 130 in the final 10 overs to raise an imposing 189/2. In reply, debutants Namibia tried hard, gave it all, and managed a creditable 144/5 in Abu Dhabi.

“We have been able to continue our good run. We planned to bat first and test our batsmen. They (Namibia) bowled well early. Our plan was to build a partnership,” skipper Azam said after the match.

While bowling – their forte in this tournament – Namibia made quite an impressive start. Left-armer Ruben Trumpelmann gave away just 2 runs in two overs, including a maiden, and David Wiese was accurate as Pakistan could muster only six runs from the first three overs.

But soon Azam got going by creaming the bowlers, helping Pakistan reach 29 runs by the end of the first powerplay and 59 runs at half-way stage.

Just when it seemed Namibia would be able to restrict the total to 140 runs, Pakistan turned the tide. Azam reached his 50 from 39 balls and along with Rizwan, who till then had played cautiously, the duo went berserk. They took 18 runs from the 12th over bowled by Trumpelmann, brought up a 100-run stand and set the tone for a rampage.

Just as Rizwan began to shift gears, Azam fell to a knuckleball from Wiese and Fakhar Zaman (5) was stumped. The score was 122/2 from 15.4 overs. However, there was no impact from the twin blows as Rizwan and Mohammad Hafeez pummelled the bowlers, amassing 62 runs from the last four overs. Rizwan scored 24 in the final over by Smit. Rizwan and Hafeez (32 not out) unbeaten stand of 67 from 26 propelled the total to 189/2.

“I was going through a difficult time in the middle. But our plan was to bat deep. Hafeez advised me not to worry and gave me confidence saying it was my time. I did well. We are gelling as a team,” said Rizwan, who was named the player of the match.

While defending, pacer Hasan Ali struck early with the scalp of Michael van Lingen (4). But Stephan Baard and Craig Williams ensured Namibia reached 34 by the end of the first power play. Unfortunately for Namibia, Baard was run out (29) ending a 47-run stand. And Namibia with some lusty blows from skipper Gerhard Erasmus managed to build some momentum. Seamer Haris Rauf wrested the advantage with a one-run over.

The pressure paid off. Spinners Imad Wasim got Erasmus (15) and Shadab Khan bagged a well-set Williams (40). Namibia now needed 97 from the last six overs. The African side fell short by 45 runs as Wiese top-scored with 43 not out from 31 balls.

“Hafeez’s return to form is a promising sign. Hasan Ali also bowled well with the new ball. These are good signs going forward. As a team and as a captain, we will continue this form in the semifinals. We hope to maintain the same intensity,” Azam added.

Meanwhile, Erasmus touted Pakistan as “serious title contenders”.

“After 11th over, they were outstanding with their shot selection. We can take some confidence from this match,” Erasmus said.