CRICKET
ICC T20: Pakistan outclass Scotland
Pakistan registered yet another win in the Super 12s and remained unbeaten in 5 matches.
Pakistan were too strong for Scotland, and they remained on number 1 position in their Group.
The Green Shirts will now play against Australia in the semi-finals.
Pakistan batted first, but they lost the consistent Rizwan early on in their innings. Pakistan started slowly, and they scored just 35 runs in their Powerplay.
Fakhar Zaman was dismissed on 8 runs in the 10th over and Pakistan was struggling a bit on 60-2 in 10 overs.
But M. Hafeez came to bat and he scored runs in quick time.
He reduced the run rate pressure and his quick cameo gave Babar the confidence to play his shots comfortably.
Hafeez was dismissed after scoring 31 runs off 19 balls.
Babar shines again
Babar Azam played another superb innings and he scored his 4th fifty in 5 innings.
He scored 66 runs off 47 balls including 3 sixes and 5 fours.
Babar is batting brilliantly and he is leading his side from the front.
Babar Azam has now equals the record of most fifties in a single edition of T20 world cup.
The current batting coach of Pakistan, Mathew Hayden and Virat Kohli have also scored 4 fifties in a single T20 world cup.
Hayden has done that in 2007 world cup, Kohli in the 2014 World Cup and Babar Azam has done it now.
Babar has still at least one more match to go and the kind of form he is in, he can break this record easily.
Malik’s fireworks
After Hafeez and Babar dismissals, Pakistan wanted to score quick runs in the death overs and everyone was expecting this from Asif Ali, but Shoaib Malik came out of syllabus.
He blasted 54 runs in 18 balls including 6 sixes and 1 four.
He equals the record of the fastest fifty in this world cup that was scored by KL Rahul in 18 balls.
Malik broke the record of Pakistan’s fastest fifty in T20 internationals that was set by Umar Akmal, who scored a fifty of just 21 balls.
His innings pushed Pakistan’s score to 189.
His experience is definitely helping Pakistan team in this tournament.
Scotland’s Chase
Scotland never looked tough competition against Pakistan in the chase.
Scotland were not looking comfortable at any stage.
They scored less than 45 runs in the first 10 overs and ended their innings on a score of 117-6 in 10 overs.
R. Berrington was the only batter who showed some resistance, and he was the one helped his side to reach these 117 runs.
He scored 54 runs off 37 balls(4 fours, 1 six).
Shadab bowled brilliantly and he picked up two wickets for 14 runs in his 4 overs.
SCORECARD
| Pakistan 20 overs 189-4 | Scotland. 20 overs 117-6 |
| Babar 66 (47) Greaves 2-43 | Berrington 54*(37) Shadab 2-14 |
| Malik 54*(18) H. Tahir 1-24 | Munsey 17(31) Shaheen 1-24 |
| Hafeez 31(19) S. Sharif 1-41 | Leask 14(14) Rauf 1-27 |