Afridi and Spinners Star in Pakistan’s Tense Defense
In a gripping T20 World Cup encounter at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Pakistan’s spin trio—Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Usama Mir—delivered a masterclass in bowling to defend a modest 145 against South Africa. The disciplined attack left the Proteas struggling, culminating in a narrow 6-run victory for Pakistan.
Afridi’s Early Strikes Set the Tone
Shaheen Afridi ignited Pakistan’s defense with a fiery opening spell, dismissing Quinton de Kock lbw in the first over with a searing inswinger. His ability to strike in the powerplay (2/20 in 4 overs) kept South Africa’s top order under constant pressure.
Babar Azam’s tactical move to reintroduce Afridi in the 18th over proved decisive. The left-armer clean-bowled David Miller with a pinpoint yorker, derailing South Africa’s chase at a critical juncture.
Spin Trio Tightens the Noose
While Afridi provided the early blows, Pakistan’s spinners dominated the middle overs:
– Shadab Khan (1/20) outfoxed Rilee Rossouw with a clever googly.
– Mohammad Nawaz (1/25) stifled scoring with his accuracy.
– Usama Mir, replacing the injured Imad Wasim, removed Heinrich Klaasen (1/24), shifting momentum decisively.
The trio combined for 3/69 in 12 overs, exploiting the pitch’s sluggishness to choke South Africa’s run rate.
South Africa’s Batting Collapse
Aiden Markram’s gritty 35 offered hope, but Haris Rauf’s dismissal of the skipper in the 15th over left South Africa needing 40 off 30 balls. The lower order crumbled under mounting pressure, managing just 139/8.
Pakistan’s World Cup Hopes Rekindled
After a shock loss to Zimbabwe, this win revives Pakistan’s semifinal chances. Babar Azam lauded his bowlers: “Shaheen and the spinners were exceptional. Defending 145 seemed tough, but they executed perfectly.”
Key Takeaways & Next Steps
- South Africa’s Spin Woes: Their middle-order struggles against spin loom large for upcoming matches.
- Pakistan’s Bowling Prowess: If Afridi and the spinners maintain this form, they could emerge as tournament dark horses.
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