Playing worldwide cricket for the reason that final century, when a few of his present teammates weren’t even born, Shoaib Malik on Sunday confirmed them the way in which with an astonishing 18-ball 54 to arrange Pakistan’s 72-run mauling of Scotland within the T20 World Cup.
It was the event’s joint quickest half-century alongside India opener Ok L Rahul’s 18-ball 50, which additionally got here in opposition to Scotland, as Pakistan stopped the Scots at 117 for six after posting an imposing 189 for 4.
As her Indian tennis participant spouse Sania Mirza watched from the stands, Malik, 39, blasted six sixes throughout his whirlwind unbeaten knock, which overshadowed skipper Babar Azam’s fourth half-century of the event.
Batting first, Pakistan pummelled 129 runs within the again 10 after limping to 60 for 2 on the midway stage.
With the ball, the in-form workforce did what was anticipated of them of their final Super 12 engagement to arrange a semifinal date with Australia.
Pakistan blazed their method into the final 4 with 5 wins from as many outings, underlining their credentials as one of many agency favourites.
Thanks to Malik’s blitz, Pakistan scored 43 runs within the final two overs, together with 26 within the closing six balls bowled by Chris Greaves.
Coincidentally, it was at this very venue that Malik made his One-day International debut in October 1999, in opposition to West Indies. His first Pakistan captain, Wasim Akram, retired from the sport practically twenty years in the past.
Meanwhile Babar, who as soon as once more donned the function of the accumulator, turned solely the third batter to attain 4 half-centuries in a T20 World Cup after former Australia opener Matthew Hayden and India captain Virat Kohli, who achieved the feat in 2007 and 2014 respectively.
Having struggled to 60 for 2 on the midway stage, Pakistan bought 129 runs in again 10.
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Opting to bat first, Babar Mohammad Rizwan have been off to a sedate begin, because the Scotland bowlers managed to maintain the run charge under six till the ability play.
Having smoked Bradley Wheal for a big six over deep mid-wicket, Rizwan was dismissed by Hamza Tahir, who drew the batter with a tossed-up supply earlier than getting an under-edge to the wicketkeeper.
The Scots deserves plaudits for the way through which they stored a lid on the Pakistan scoring as they ended the ability play at 35 for no loss, which turned 35 for one within the first ball of the subsequent over with Rizwan’s dismissal.
Pakistan weren’t so properly positioned at 60 for 2 on the midway stage as Scotland managed to maintain their opponents to a run a ball.
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However, issues modified fully as Pakistan entered the again 10 with each Babar and the veteran Mohammad Hafeez (31 off 19 balls) chopping free to clear the ropes at common intervals throughout a brisk 53-run third-wicket partnership.
Babar was his ordinary stylish self when he performed the ball alongside the bottom, however on the similar time, he didn’t hesitate to go excessive, the results of which have been three sixes.
After Babar’s dismissal, the present belonged to Malik.
In a large chase, Scotland misplaced the wickets of skipper Kyle Coetzer and Matthew Cross with simply 36 runs within the board.
Scotland have been by no means within the recreation as they struggled to 42 for 2 on the finish of the primary 10 overs.
Richie Berrington was the lone Scotland batter to shine with a 54 ball off 37 balls.
One of the largest positives for Pakistan bowling was the way through which Shadab Khan (2/140 bowled, getting his googlies and leg-spinners proper forward of the massive semifinal in opposition to the Aussies.