Sydney: Pakistan 185-9, South Africa 108-9 - Pakistan won by 33 runs (DLS)
With a convincing victory over the Proteas at the SCG despite the match being disrupted by rain, Pakistan maintained their chances of making to the semi-finals. For the first time in the T20 World Cup this year, Babar Azam's team slowed down South Africa, handing them their first defeat. In order to build a challenging total, Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan scored quick half-centuries. During the South African chase, the bowlers upped their game.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, the inconsistent opening duo, once again fell short as Pakistan was reduced to 43-4. Even though Mohammad Nawaz and Iftikhar Ahmed consolidated after the initial blows, things still seemed bad for the Men in Green. Shadab Khan then entered the action and altered the course of the match. The star all-rounder used his explosive skills to smash a remarkable half-century in just 20 balls, bringing Pakistan's total up to a respectable 185. However, that wasn't his only contribution; the leggie also disrupted the Proteas' chase by taking two wickets in his very first over.
For the first ten overs of the game, South Africa had the upper hand, but Pakistan, as they frequently do, successfully introduced unpredictability to the situation. When facing a ferocious South African bowling attack, Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan added 82 runs in just 35 deliveries. South Africa simply couldn't catch the ball as it became more and more slick owing to the drizzle as Pakistan's batters went into overdrive in the last overs. The two made the most of their opportunities, assisting Pakistan in hitting ten sixes in the game, their second-highest total in a T20 World Cup competition.
The Proteas top order was destroyed by the Pakistani pace attack, ending their tournament winning streak. Temba Bavuma, the under-fire Proteas captain, though, looked assured in the middle for the first time in a long time. Before Shadab Khan ended his innings, the small cricketer kept his team in the running with a composed 36 off 19 deliveries.
Pakistan are now third in group two with four points while South Africa are second with five points. They face Bangladesh and the Netherlands, respectively, in their final group matches on Sunday while table-toppers India (six points) face Zimbabwe.
South Africa (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi
Pakistan (Playing XI): Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah