T20 World Cup: Pakistan beat Scotland to go through to semi-finals unbeaten

Pakistan maintained their perfect record at the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World cup with a convincing win over Scotland in Dubai on Sunday. The Babar Azam led team defeated Scotland by 72 runs in their final match of the Super 12 stage to set up a semi-final clash against Australia on November 11. Batting first, Pakistan posted a target of 189 for the loss of 4 wickets with the help of half centuries from Babar and Shoaib Malik. In response, Scotland’s innings folded for just 117 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs.

Babar, who opened the batting with Mohammad Rizwan had set the platform with yet another fine knock of 66 from 47 balls. Although Rizwan was dismissed for 15 by Hamza Tahir and Fakhar Zaman was sent back to pavilion for 8 by Chris Greaves, veteran Mohammad Hafeez joined Babar and steadied the ship with a 19 ball 31.

Meanwhile Shoaib Malik who came into the crease after Babar’s dismissal, thrashed the Scottish bowlers to score 54 runs from just 18 balls. Malik hit six sixes and one four en route to equaling KL Rahul’s record for the fastest fifty in the tournament. The 39-year-old hit Scottis leg-spinner for 26 runs in the final over.

Pakistan added 129 runs in the last 10 overs and an incredible 77 in the final five. And then , with the ball, Pakistan bowlers continued to dismantle the opposition with their discipline as Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Shadab Khan took wickets at regular intervals.

Shadab was the pick of the bowlers with 2 wickets for 14 runs from 4 overs. Both Shaheen and Haris took a wicket each. All-rounder Imad Wasim was economical with his spell giving away just 17 runs in 4 overs. 

It was Pakistan’s fifth win in as many games, topping Group 2 with ten points. Meanwhile their semi-final opponents Australia finished second in Group 1 with 8 points from five games.

Group 1 toppers England will face New Zealand in the first semi-final in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.