Pakistan kept their faint chances of reaching the Twenty20 World Cup semifinals alive with a 33-run victory over South Africa on Thursday by focusing on “the controllable stuff,” according to all-rounder Shadab Khan.
Pakistan overcame South Africa with a score of 185 for nine thanks to Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab’s both brilliant half-centuries.
Shadab, the game’s player of the match, dismissed Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram after Shaheen Afridi (3-14) claimed two early wickets. As a result, in a Super 12 game that was shortened by rain, the Proteas fell far short of the updated target of 142.
Despite winning, Pakistan’s fate is still out of their control; they must defeat Bangladesh on Sunday and hope that either the Netherlands can defeat South Africa or Zimbabwe can surprise India in the last group game.
The team’s triumph was of highest importance, according to Shadab, who claimed that his innings of 52 off 22 balls was his finest in international cricket. Shadab told reporters after the victory, “Our captain said simply express yourself and don’t worry about anybody or anything else.”
We only focus on it because we can control the things that we can.
Shadab also thanked Mohammed Nawaz and Iftikhar for putting up a 52-run partnership prior to his entry into the game, which made things simpler for him.
“It’s advantageous because if you score runs and have a successful cause, that’s more crucial and appropriate in that circumstance. Credit should go, in my opinion, especially to Nawaz and Iftikhar “said Shadab.
“They performed admirably, putting the bowlers under strain. It’s a little bit simpler when I go.”