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The Men in Green are unstoppable! Pakistan have made it four in four to become the first team to grab the semi-final berth of the T20 World Cup 2021. Babar Azam and Co on Tuesday recorded a comprehensive 45-run win over Namibia to grab two more points and advance to the semis of the T20 showpiece.
Mohammad Rizwan notched up 50-ball 79 while skipper Babar Azam scored 70 from 49 deliveries to help Pakistan notch up 180 on the board. In an innings that started with a cautious opening partnership in the powerplay, Rizwan produced some late fireworks to get his side to an intimidating total.
Rizwan's record-breaking knock started with a six towards long-on against Ruben Trumpelmann. Post that, there was no looking back for the 29-year-old. Hitting boundaries for fun en route 79, Rizwan whacked eight fours and four sixes.
Though Namibia couldn't chase the total, they managed to bat for 20 overs. Craig Williams came up with a 37-ball 40 while David Wiese upped the ante with a brisk 43 that featured 3 fours and a couple of sixes. Wiese's late surge must have put a smile on the face of Namibian fans.
The result, however, was inevitable after Pakistan set a hefty total against a relatively experienced batting unit. Namibia eventually managed to reach 144/5. On the bowling front, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan picked a wicket each.
Authoritative Mohammad Rizwan
Mohammad Rizwan also scripted history by becoming the first player to score 900 T20I runs in a calendar year. He has scored 951 runs in 21 T20Is this year, with 85 fours and 32 sixes under his belt. The 29-year-old now also has most fifty-plus scores (8) in T20Is as an opener.
From being 59 for no loss at the halfway mark, Babar and Rizwan shifted gears towards the end, which ended with the latter's last-over blitz against JJ Smit. Rizwan smacked three fours and a maximum in the final over, finding gaps with ease and aggregating 24 from six deliveries. An incredible 10-over show saw Pakistan putting up an intimidating 190-run target against a relatively weak opposition.
After virtually sealing the semis berth, it seemed like both the Pakistan batters were playing fearless brand of cricket. A 100-run opening stand reflected the way Pakistan have performed in the ongoing T20 showpiece, making them favourites to make the finals. Babar and Rizwan also became the first pair to aggregate 1000 T20I runs in a calendar year as Pakistan accelerated in style.
"It was difficult to bat initially and conditions proved to be very tricky for both of us. We are gelling well as a team and have ticked all the boxes and will see what lies ahead for us," said Player of the Match Rizwan in the post-match presentation.
The Babar Azam show
While Rizwan struggled at the start, Babar provided impetus to Pakistan's bating and kept the scoreboard ticking. The skipper laid the foundation before Rizwan exploded at the death. Babar ended up scoring 70 from 49 deliveries. He eventually holed out in the deep off David Wiese's knuckle delivery.
Babar notched up his 24th T20I half-century. No player has scored more fifties than Babar while leading a side in the T20I format. The 27-year-old batter now also flaunts the most number of fifty-plus scores (3) in a T20 World Cup as a captain.
Hafeez also chipped in with a brilliant cameo of unbeaten 32 from 16 balls as Pakistan scored 71 runs off the last five overs. On a night where the Namibian bowling unit looked hapless, Babar and Rizwan reinstated their prowess in the shortest format of the game.
"Need to keep improving and irrespective of whom we face in the semifinal, we want to maintain the same intensity," said an elated Babar on his side's performance.
