Istafa Ali
Two matches, two last-ball losses. That’s how Pakistan launched their T20 World Cup campaign.
Finalists in 2007, winners in 2009 and perennial contenders for the T20 crown, Pakistan sealed yet another unexpected tournament comeback by beating Bangladesh by five wickets on Sunday and reaching the last-four where they will take on either New Zealand or England.
How did it get to the virtual knockout in the first place? After defeats to India and a shock upset against Zimbabwe, they were gone, well and truly out of it as their semifinal hopes dangled by a thread. The win against South Africa threw Group 2 wide open and Pakistan climbed to third spot in the standings. Ahead of Sunday, Pakistan required India or South Africa to avoid winning their respective matches, and also needed to defeat Bangladesh. In a stunning outcome, the South Africa endured a stunning defeat to the Netherlands, losing by 13 runs and getting knocked out. Pakistan woke up to one of the biggest upsets in world cricket, which now meant that their match against Bangladesh was now a virtual quarterfinal.
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Pakistan have done the unthinkable. Defying all odds, Pakistan miraculously qualified for the semifinals of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2022 on Sunday by defeating Bangladesh by 5 wickets at the Adelaide Oval. Chasing a target of 128 runs, Pakistan reached 128 for five in 18.1 overs, with Mohammad Rizwan smashing 32 runs off 32 balls. Earlier, Bangladesh posted 127 for eight in 20 overs, with pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi taking four wickets. Najmul Hossain Shanto registered a half-century (54 off 48 balls) and top scored for Bangladesh but it was not enough as Pakistan comfortably chased it down to secure a place in the final four in the virtual knock out
