Pakistan maintains tenuous World Cup aspirations with South Africa’s victory.

Pakistan maintains tenuous World Cup aspirations with South Africa’s victory.

Pakistan maintains tenuous World Cup aspirations with South Africa’s victory.

In a thrilling rain-shortened encounter on Thursday at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Pakistan defeated South Africa by a score of 33 runs to maintain their tenuous Twenty20 World Cup chances.

After their initial goal of 186 was reduced to 142 due to a weather delay, South Africa, who is still on track to advance to the semifinals, came out strong, needing 73 runs in just five overs.

However, the asking rate was too high, and they were dismissed for 108-9 at the conclusion of a thrilling game that featured a variety of events, including terrible weather, strong bowling, and lost catches.

With their victory, Pakistan still has a chance to advance to the World Cup semifinals if they triumph over Bangladesh in their final game and other circumstances cooperate.

However, they must assume that both South Africa and India would lose their last matches.

Earlier, Pakistan’s batsmen Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan saved the team with an outstanding 82-run partnership.

With Pakistan in serious difficulty at 43-4 when Iftikhar entered the game, he hit 51 off 35 balls and Shadab exploded for 52 off 22 as Pakistan concluded their innings at 185-9.

As the South African seam assault destroyed Pakistan’s top order, it appeared that Pakistan would leave the competition early.

However, Iftikhar remained steadfast, partnering for 52 runs with Mohammad Nawaz before he and Shadab dismantled the renowned South African attack and raised the total from 95-5 to 177-6.

Quinton de Kock chipped Shaheen Afridi to Mohammad Haris at midwicket for a duck on the final ball of the first over, showing Pakistan’s ability to start well with the ball after a strong showing with the bat.

South Africa was reduced to 16-2 as Afridi dismissed the dangerous Rilee Rossouw for seven in his second over, caught by Naseem Shah on the third man boundary.

Temba Bavuma, the captain of South Africa, sailed to 36 despite having a difficult tournament with his form. He raised the total to 65 with Aiden Markram.

Shadab, a leg-spinner, altered the course of the match in his first over, bowling Markram through the gate one run later after having Bavuma caught behind, leaving South Africa 66-4.

The rainfall, which