With a 33-run victory over South Africa on Thursday, Pakistan kept their modest hopes of making the Twenty20 World Cup semifinals alive by concentrating on “the controllable stuff,” according to all-rounder Shadab Khan.
Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab both scored magnificent half-centuries as Pakistan scored 185 for nine against South Africa.
After Shaheen Afridi (3-14) got two early wickets, Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram were both removed by Shadab, who was named player of the match. As a result, the Proteas fell far short of the revised target of 142 in a Super 12 game that was cut short by rain.
Even with the victory, Pakistan’s fate is still out of their control; they must defeat Bangladesh on Sunday and hope that either the Netherlands can defeat South Africa or Zimbabwe can surprise India in the final group game.
The team’s victory was of the highest importance, according to Shadab, who claimed that his innings of 52 off 22 balls was his finest in international cricket. Shadab told reporters after the victory, “Our captain said simply to express yourself and don’t worry about anybody or anything else.”
“Because we can control the controllable things, so we just think about that.”
Shadab also praised Mohammed Nawaz and Iftikhar for making things easier for him by putting together a 52-run partnership before he entered the fray.
“It’s good because, in that situation, if you score runs and have a winning cause, it’s more crucial. Nawaz and Iftikhar deserve particular praise, in my opinion, Shadab remarked.
They played great and exerted pressure on the bowlers. It’s a little bit simpler when I leave.
