T20 World Cup: Excellent Pakistan beat Proteas by 33 runs

Pakistan’s excellent bowling put the Proteas attack in the shade as South Africa were beaten by 33 runs in their T20 World Cup match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday.

While the Proteas conceded 130 runs in the last 11 overs, including 80 in the last six overs, Pakistan were able to maintain their accuracy and not give the batsmen nearly as many balls in the slot as South Africa did.

Although Quinton de Kock (0) and Rilee Rossouw (7) both fell cheaply to the brilliant left-arm quick Shaheen Shah Afridi, Temba Bavuma found form with a fine innings, stroking 36 off just 19 balls and being particularly severe on anything short.

Bavuma and Aiden Markram (20) lifted the Proteas to a very solid 65/2 after seven overs, but leg-spinner Shadab Khan struck two massive blows in his first over, having Bavuma caught behind and then cleaning up Markram with a brilliant top-spinner.

South Africa had slipped to 69/4 after nine overs when rain delayed play for about an hour. That double-strike was crucial as the extra two wickets lost punished the Proteas badly when it came to their required target, which was revised to 142 off 14 overs.

It meant 73 runs were needed off 30 balls, but Pakistan produced high-quality death bowling, either getting it up in the blockhole or banging slower balls into the pitch, and South Africa fell well short, finishing on 108/9.

South Africa were on top for the first nine overs of the innings as they reduced Pakistan to 55/4, but their desperate opposition smashed them to all parts at the back end of the innings as they posted a daunting 185/9.

The remarkable revival for Pakistan, who once again could not rely on their top-order for any momentum, came thanks to tremendous half-centuries from Iftikhar Ahmad (51 off 35) and Shadab Khan (52 off 22).

The Proteas, put under pressure, became rattled, their bowlers delivering too many balls in the slot and the fielding also becoming messy as drizzle fell over the ground. It meant Pakistan lashed.

Anrich Nortje took 4/41, but Wayne Parnell (4-0-31-1) and Lungi Ngidi (4-0-32-1) were the best of the South African bowlers.

Below is how The Citizen reported on the match:

South Africa v Pakistan at the T20 World Cup — LIVE UPDATES

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A T20 World Cup semifinal place is up for grabs for the Proteas in a top-class clash between South Africa and Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday.

A victory for the Proteas will take them to seven points, putting themselves out of reach of everyone in Group II, except for India, who secured a nail-biting win over Bangladesh on Wednesday.

A loss for Pakistan will mean a departure from the competition at the end of the Group stage, so they are going to be a fired up team today.

A defeat for South Africa will not be terminal, as they still have a match against the Netherlands in Adelaide on Sunday, where victory will still seal a semifinal place.

Read more: So, who sits out for Proteas against Pakistan at SCG?