T20 World Cup: Pakistan book place in semi-final, South Africa knock out Bangladesh

Pakistan are the first team to book their place in the T20 World Cup semi-final after a 45-run Group B win over Namibia.

After a slow start, Pakistan hit 130 in the final 10 overs to finish the innings on 189-2.

Opener Mohammad Rizwan’s unbeaten 79 laid the foundations for a strong innings and Babar Azam’s 70 meant Namibia would be facing a near-impossible target in a bid to stay in the tournament.

Craig Williams top-scored for Namibia with 40 but the minnows could only set a score of 144.

In Group A, South Africa took a crucial step towards the semi-final with a convincing six-wicket win over Bangladesh.

A combination of poor batting and a lethal bowling attack saw Bangladesh bowled out for just 84 with 10 balls to spare.

Anrich Nortje tooking 3-8 with Kagiso Rabada adding to South Africa’s success with 3-20.

South Africa’s innings started poorly too and they slipped to 33-3 but Temba Bavuma’s unbeaten 31 stabilised the innings as they won with 39 balls to spare.

Australia are also chasing a spot in the final four, and sit two points behind South Africa with a game in hand. The South Africans do have a superior net run-rate which puts them in pole position to progress.

Cover Photo: Your Out by Graham Dean used under license by CC BY 2.0.