Pakistan’s cricket team displayed a heartwarming gesture towards minnows Namibia after the former’s convincing win in the 2021 T20 World Cup clash. PCB’s official Twitter handle shared a clip where their cricketers and a team official went to the Namibian side’s dressing room to applaud their competitiveness.
The likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Hasan Ali, Fakhar Zaman, and Shadab Khan were amongst the players. Team officials shared some encouraging words about Namibia’s efforts, followed by everyone embracing after a competitive game on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan Beat Namibia By 45 Runs To Advance To Semi-finals
Although Namibia lost by 45 runs, they fought till the end and didn’t allow Pakistan to walk over them. However, the target of 190 proved a bridge too far against a high-quality bowling unit. As a result, Babar Azam and co. Became the first team to book a semi-final spot in this year’s event.
The men in green also maintained their unbeaten run that started by beating India in their opening match. They continued by overcoming New Zealand and Afghanistan in hard-fought games. On Tuesday against Namibia, skipper Babar Azam sent the opposition into fielding for the first time in the competition.
Pakistan played the same XI as their first three games, and Babar Azam said that was because the Namibia contest was their first in Abu Dhabi. Although Pakistan’s bowlers could take only five wickets in Namibia’s chase, they did well to restrict their opponents to 144, with Imad Wasim and Hasan Ali going at economies of less than six.
Babar Azam’s 70 And Mohammad Rizwan’s Unbeaten 79 Saw Pakistan Score 189
The decision, meant to challenge themselves, proved fruitful as the pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan shared a 113-run opening stand. Babar Azam’s 70 took them to their fifth T20I century stand – the most by any pair in the format’s history – before the first wicket fell in the 15th over.
After the skipper’s 70, Mohammad Rizwan exploded to finish 79 not out and lifted Pakistan to 189 with Mohammad Hafeez’s cameo. Mohammad Hafeez batted at No. 4, and he began with an assault that saw him make 32 in 16 balls that included five fours.
Hasan Ali proved their best bowler, finishing with figures of 4-0-22-1 as David Wiese top-scored with 43*. David Wiese did the best he could to ignore the match situation and entertained the crowds with his two sixes and three fours to finish unbeaten on a 31-ball 45.
For Namibia, their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals look unlikely. The team currently stands fourth in the points table and have fixtures coming up against India and New Zealand. Namibia’s only victory in the Super 12 stage came against Scotland; however, wins in the remaining matches look improbable. Nevertheless, they could take heart from their competitiveness. Pakistan will now lock horns with Scotland in their final Super 12 clash.
Pakistan 189 for 2 (Rizwan 79*, Babar 70) beat Namibia 144 for 5 (Wiese 43, Williams 40, Imad 1-13, Hasan 1-22) by 45 runs