‘Semi-finals ka moon nazar aagaya’ – Fans abuzz as Pakistan keep knockouts hopes alive post winning South Africa clash

Pakistan and South Africa faced off each other in the epic clash on November 3, Thursday in Sydney and it was a must-win game for the Men in Green as a defeat could have ended their knockout dreams. However, Babar Azam and his men gave themselves a much-needed chance as they fought hard and won the match by 33 runs. After electing to bat first, despite openers Mohammad Rizwan and Babar departing for 4 and 6 respectively, Pakistan got off to a flyer on the back of a blitzkrieg knock from Mohammad Haris, who scored 28 runs off just 11 balls. 

However, post his departure and Shan Masood contributing only 2 runs, Ifthikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan lifted the team up as both cricketers reached the fifty-run landmark in quick succession. While Ahmed scored 51, Shadab, who came in when Pakistan looked in deep trouble, reached the landmark off just 20 balls and powered the team to a total of 185/9 in 20 overs. 

Pakistan keep dreams alive

Regarding the chase, after losing Quinton de Kock early in the innings for a not, Temba Bavuma, the South African skipper, came up with boundaries and scored 35 runs before he made his way back off Shadab’s delivery. 

With rain interrupting the match after 9 overs when South Africa where at 69/4, the target was revised to 142 runs off 14 overs. However, despite a quickfire 20 from Aiden Markram, the Proteas lost the match and the loss, however, delayed South Africa’s entry into the semi-finals. 

The Men in Green, on the other hand, are keeping their dreams and hopes of making it through to the knockouts alive as they are not out of the tournament yet. If at all the Proteas lose to Netherlands or the match gets washed out, the Men in Green, with a better run rate can make a grand entry in the semis alongside India. 

As things stand, let us take a look at the Twitter reactions to the match between Pakistan and South Africa: