pumped over mid-off, the ball outruns Shadab Khan into the boundary markers... but it's not enough, Pakistan win by 33 runs and keep their T20 WC dreams alive
Pakistan vs South Africa, 36th Match, Group 2 at Sydney, T20 WC, Nov 03 2022 - Ball by Ball Commentary
11.20pm: Time for the captains, starting with Temba Bavuma: [Pakistan recovery from 43-4] "Definitely disappointing the way we ended our bowling and fielding. Getting them four down early. We have questions to ask and need to come up with solutions. Credit to them, they had the momentum and took it with them through the bowling innings. We knew the weather could be an issue. The bowlers practice these things, but its difficult. We probably didn't adapt quick enough, and we could have tried to use the bigger side more. Not an excuse, but they're things we'll speak about. Netherlands next, a big game. Want to put this game past us as quickly as possible and come again."
Pakistan captain Babar Azam: "Very happy the way the team performed. Me and Rizwan were not up to the mark, but the way Haris played, he's a different player and shifted the momentum. Then Shadab and Ifti were outstanding in finishing the innings. [Best XI now?] These are out best players and everyone is ready to play. Everyone is a match-winner. First two matches were close losses, but we've given 100% in the last two matches and you never know, cricket is a funny game, we hope for the best."
So Pakistan are up to third in Group 2, clinging to the coattails of South Africa, who lose their record as the last unbeaten team in the tournament. There's one round of games left, and four sides still hoping to progress - a similar equation to that in Group 1, where the focus will return tomorrow, with New Zealand facing Ireland and Australia looking to keep their defence alive against Afghanistan. For tonight, from Chacha Alan and Badmash PDP, not to mention Raghav bhai, that's a wrap. Cheerio!
11.15pm: Fittingly, Shadab has the ball in hand as a strong Pakistan-supporting crowd rises to acknowledge their team's second win of the tournament. They'll need a favour from somewhere - either Netherlands, Zimbabwe or the weather - but know that there's still a potential path to the semis if they can beat Bangladesh in their last outing
Shadab Khan is Player of the Match for his 22-ball 52 and cheap two-for: [Ever timed the ball better?] "I've done it in the PSL, but this is an international match and a World Cup match, so it's the best. The pitch was nice, a bit slow but the ball came on nicely. [Bowling] First ball, I tried to bowl on the stumps, bowled slow and it gripped a bit. Paid off. [Bat higher up?] I like it, depends on the situation and the team."
Asim: "I know my comment never gets posted but wanted to remind everyone this World Cup has given us giant killings are we in store for one more giant killing." But will it be Afghanistan vs Australia, Zimbabwe vs India, or Netherlands vs SA...?
length ball, 143kph/89mph and prodded into the covers for a scampered one. Every single could be crucial, if NRR has the final say in qualification
Shamsi is the last man in
plinked into the leg side! Nortje goes big, goes home. Another cutter from Rauf and he mistimes a filthy slog out towards deep midwicket, where it's safely pouched
short ball with pace off, wide of the stumps and Nortje swings unsuccessfully
driven through the covers, they are pushing for two... Nawaz's throw catches Rabada short at the non-striker's! It's the Manic Street Preachers stage of the innings, and everything must go. In this case, it's Rabada heading off after Rauf completed a comfortable run-out
"Hey there! Really need to know this! Who would make it to the semis if both Pak and SA finish on 6 points? Which would be the first tie breaker: net runrate, head to head record or the most number of wins? Pleeeeeeaaassssseeeee tell :,)" Believe it's number of wins first, Virat
full and wide of the stumps, Rabada carves a drive into the covers. Just one, no dramas
Haris Rauf to close out
now goes full and quick, through the gap Nortje has left after stepping to leg. Superb penultimate over from Naseem, and Pakistan can almost tie a bow on this one
short and with pace off again, chopped to backward point
Anrich Nortje heads out, the RRR rocketing
slower bouncer, pulled to deep square leg! Naseem wins this battle, and Pakistan are winning this contest. Excellent headology from one youngster to another, Stubbs can't generate enough power and it's a simple, low catch coming in off the rope
Manav reckons this is done: "This result has made things interesting with Group 2. India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, SA all have a chance at the semis spot."
another slower ball, into the pitch and it kicks up at Stubbs' face, he gloves a pull down on to the pitch. Another dot ball
back-of-a-length cutter in the channel, superbly bowled and Stubbs carves out a slice of fresh air
back of a length, Stubbs heaves across the line and gets it into the gap for a couple
Naseem Shah to bowl, Stubbs to try and upset the apple cart. Short boundary is to the leg side
pitched up, swatted down the ground and Stubbs declines the run in order to keep the strike
Kagiso Rabada in at No. 8
tries something cute, pinned in front! Parnell is hit on the pads attempting to paddle another pinpoint yorker, and up goes the finger. He reviews, but this is stone cold, like Steve Austin. Tell you what, that might have actually been a half-volley, if Parnell had stood still in the crease. But there's no doubt it was hitting middle and off at shin height
Still, Umer is jittery: "Is any of the batsman named Hussey, Wade or Kholi? Bites nails in nervousness."
full and straight, 143kph/89mph and Stubbs can only punch it into the covers as he steps away. Wasim nailing his lengths here
full and straight, clipped off the toes. Excellent yorker, squirted leg side for another single
punched down the ground, there's a misfield at long-on but they think better of trying for two
pitched up and steered through backward point on the drive
Wasim to bowl, his confidence should be high after that catch
SA need 47 from 18, Forecaster is 95% for Pakistan. Not everyone is confident, though. Utsav: "48 off 18 or as we now call it - the MEK-Kohli zone"
full and straight, driven into the cover ring but he can't get any elevation. Just a single
In comes Wayne Parnell to swing for the fences
leading edge, straight up... it's coming down with snow on. Well held at short third! Mohammad Wasim is cool as you like, and Afridi strikes back at a crucial moment. Not the best ball, really, on leg stump and inviting Klaasen to swing across the line. But it flew up the chimney
"Yorkers, yorkers and Yorkers. This is what you need at this stage if the game." Easy to say until you miss one, Haris
Over 14 • SA 108/9