What looked like a foregone conclusion, was turned on its head by a spirited, inspirational Dutch effort as they defeated South Africa by 13 runs in the first game on Sunday, which allowed Pakistan to reach the semi-final with a victory over Bangladesh later in the day.
The drama that unfolded in Adelaide on Sunday was scarcely believable as favorites South Africa were shown the exit door with a shocking loss to the Netherlands.
This Protea loss made the following Pakistan-Bangladesh game a virtual quarter-final, which Babar Azam’s team won by 5 wickets, although it was not a comfortable win and Pakistani fans were even given a scare with the slow trudge by Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
Chasing a below-par total of 128, Rizwan (32 runs off 32 balls) and Babar (25 off 33) were excruciating slow in their knocks, and when they both got out – Pakistan’s score read 61/2 at 11.2 overs – the required rate was near 7 and the other batters got under pressure, resulting in the run-out of Mohammad Nawaz.
However, youngster Mohammad Haris clattered 31 off 18 balls and Shan Masood hit 24 off 4 balls to take Pakistan home with 11 balls to spare, and propel Pakistan in the semi-final when a day ago they had looked all but out of the tournament.
Earlier, Shaheen Afridi picked up 4 wickets to announce his comeback to form as Pakistan restricted Zimbabwe to 127. The left-arm pacer was named the Player of the Match for his four-for.
“Cricket is a funny game,” quipped Babar Azam. “Appreciate all my team the way they played all matches. Pitch wasn’t easy to bat on. Little bit two-paced. Me and Rizwan decided to go long, but unfortunately didn’t work out. Haris showed aggression, good to see him play. Looking forward to the semifinals. All of us are excited to play.”
Pakistan and India have qualified from the semis from Group 2, and New Zealand and England from Group 1.
Pakistan’s win, and their qualification to the semis led to a flurry of memes on Twitter:
Only Pakistan. Only Pakistan can go from being on the brink of an embarrassing early exit to becoming the most dangerous team of a #T20WorldCup in the space of 6 days
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) November 6, 2022
Pakistan and Bangladesh fans right now 😅 #SAvNED #PAKvBAN #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/gxuxJS9KF7
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) November 6, 2022
From years and years of watching Pakistan play cricket……@cricbuzz pic.twitter.com/dgWdAQNuiK
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 6, 2022
PAKISTAN ARE IN THE SEMI FINALS?! #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/suADn2TeVq
— Change of Pace (@ChangeofPace414) November 6, 2022
Pakistan cricket: never easy, never simple, always worth it.
— Roha Nadeem (@RohaNadym) November 6, 2022
Me deleting my tweets on Pakistan not reaching the semifinals. #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/dKVWWukxsJ
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) November 6, 2022
Pakistan cricket team y’all pic.twitter.com/WzG7y58ckd
— Ramiya 2.0 (@yehtuhogaaa) November 6, 2022
If it’s a India vs Pakistan final, @BCCI please ensure I attend it. I will turn this account into BCCI FC for life.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) November 6, 2022
Still unable to believe how Pakistan got so lucky to qualify. On top of Group 2 for now. pic.twitter.com/cqPGy6cvnM
— Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat) November 6, 2022
I hope Pakistan is sending Mr Bean to Netherlands as goodwill gesture.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) November 6, 2022
Pakistan has qualified for the semi finals
Thank you Nederland for opening the door #PAKvBAN #PAKvsBAN pic.twitter.com/WuERkwA67U— Pehn Di Siri (@PehnDiSiri) November 6, 2022
Pakistan is Back 👊 pic.twitter.com/xBBWRDlZDL
— Ans Hafeez (@PakForeverIA) November 6, 2022
Team Pakistan to the whole cricketing world: pic.twitter.com/jONZkrZVOu
— … (@HBA_162) November 6, 2022
