Pakistan vs South Africa 39 Match

 

Azam: Very happy the way team performed. We are not upto the mark - me and Rizwan. But the way Haris played - different player - set the momentum. And the way Shadab and Ifti finished the innings - outstanding. To be honest, everyone is my best player. Everyone is my match-winner. First two losses cost us. But the way we have played last two matches. As you know cricket is funny game. You never know.

Bavuma: Quite disappointing the way we ended our bowling session. Getting them 5 down quickly and allowing them to get to a formidable score. Lots of questions we need to ask. Credit to them. We knew that weather was going to be a bit of an issue.

 I'm no bowler but the bowlers do practice for these conditions. Wicket was sliding on, slower balls weren't gripping. We probably could've used the bigger side a bit more. Next game is obviously a big one for us against Netherlands in Adelaide. Have to put this one behind quickly, take whatever learnings we can.

Ananth: @cricbuzz - Please confirm that number of wins in the super 12 takes precedence over NRR and that the winner of Pak/Ban match will go through to the semifinal if the SA game is washed out due to rain. 'Yes, but if it only rains and it's going to be a double header in Adelaide'

Amin: Pakistan are truly one of a kind. They lose to Zimbabwe, drop a match against India and beat the team of the tournament South Africa!

Shadab Khan | Player of the Match: I have played (batted) like this in PSL, but this is a World Cup match, so it's my best innings. The pitch was a bit slower compared to Perth. I tried to bowl at the stumps, and it paid off. I like to bat up the order, but it depends on the situation and what the team requires, so I am ready to bat anywhere.

23:12 Local Time, 12:12 GMT, 17:42 IST: Pakistan can keep hoping against hope for a miracle after doing what was needed of them today. They have raised their game to take the mighty South Africans down, continuing their perfect record against the Proteas at T20 World Cups. What a stunning turnaround after finding themselves at 43/4 with the bat, having won the toss.

 It was Iftikhar Ahmad and Shadab Khan who launched a brilliant counter-attack with their partnership of 82 off just 35 balls. And then having turned it around with the bat, Shadab came back to turn it around with the ball as well, getting rid of Bavuma and Markram in three balls just before the rain break. That over proved decisive as South Africa found themselves staring at a steep equation after overs were reduced. And the task was near impossible against the quality of death bowling we saw from Wasim and Naseem.