Pakistan VS Namibia Played at Shiekh Jayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on 2 November 2021
Pakistan 189/2 (Mohammad Rizwan 79*, Babar Azam 70, Mohammad Hafeez 32*, David Weise 1/30, Jan Frylinck 1/31)
Namibia 144/5 (David Weise 43*, Craig Williams 40, Stephen Beard 29, Imad Wasim 1/13, Hasan Ali 1/22, Haris Rauf 1/25, Shadab Khan 1/35)
Pakistan Won By 45 Runs.
Player Of The Match: Mohammad Rizwan
Pakistan’s dream journey In T20 world cup continues as it recorded yet another win by 49 runs against spirited Namibia. Rizwan (79*) and Babar Azam (70*) adjusting well to the fast-seaming Abu Dhabi wicket spearheaded the 100% winning record Pakistan.
They stormed into the semi-final with a game against Scotland to play. Batting first against probing Namibia bowling attack Pakistan managed an impressive 189/2 and then successfully defended it restricting Namibia to 144/5 won the match comfortably by 45 runs.
It was the first T20 match between the two teams, first match Pakistan played at Abu Dhabi in the tournament, first time Pakistan batted first and tested its strength in defending a total. The wicket had , pace and bounce. It also seamed. Namibia proved yet again that they were not a mere push over. Their pacers teased and tested Pakistani openers on the sticky wicket.
Left arm seamer Ruben Trumpelmann made Rizwan look like mere mortal making his huffing and puffing for survival. JJ Smith and David Weise also kept it tight in their initial spell. Even great Babar Azam was not at his brilliant best at the start. Yet Pakistan did not lose wickets. Pakistan scored only 29 in the first power play. Babar kept the scoreboard ticking smartly pushing the ball in the gaps and rotating the strikes. Pakistan scored only 59 runs in the first 10 overs.
With 10 wickets at hand Pakistan changed gears. Azam (70) and Rizwan (79*) set a new milestone of 5 T20 century partnership scoring 113. It was the second that the prolific pair produced in the current tournament. Fakhar Zaman missed out. Hafeez, the professor joining Rizwan (by then l well set). The pair carried out ruthless assault on Namibian bowlers. At 200 strike rate Hafeez produced unbeaten 32 in 16 deliveries. 67 runs were blasted off the last 5 overs and 130 in the last 10 as Pakistan finished on a high at 189/2. Rizwan after his initial struggle sparked scoring unbeaten 79 in 50 deliveries striking 5 fours and 4 sixes.
Namibia playing in their first appearance in ICC T20 tournament did not die wondering. Against very potent Pakistan attack on juicy wicket, they batted well. But 190 was a too steep a target chasing. Imad Wasim (1/13) and Hasan Ali (1/22) were too crafty operators. Yet Dadid Weise (43*) and Craig Williams (40) gave good account of themselves. Bangladesh successfully tested their ability of defending before the knock out as they already had a foot in the semis winning the first three major matches comfortably. With Semi Final berth already reserved Pakistan may test their bench strength against Scotland resting some players before the knock out.
The way Pakistan played so far in the tournament their fans can definitely dream big and dream for winning the trophy in their once home away from home. But T20 is crazy game and team producing the A game on the day wins. England at group A is also a form team ticking all their boxes in tournament.
BDST: 1221 HRS, NOV 03, 2021
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