South Africa edged out Pakistan by six wickets in a T20 World Cup warm-up match in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. Batting first, Pakistan posted 186/6 in 20 overs, with South Africa chasing down the target in the last ball of the game. Babar Azam-led Pakistan, who will face arch-rivals India in the opening game of their campaign in Dubai on October 24, defeated the West Indies by seven wickets in their first warm-up match on Monday. South Africa, on the other hand, comfortably defeated Afghanistan by 41 runs in their previous warm-up clash on Monday. Pakistan will be looking to win their second T20 World Cup title next month while South Africa will eye their maiden triumph.
PAK vs SA Live Updates
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We are back for the chase! The umpires are out in the middle along with the Pakistan players. Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks are the openers for South Africa. Imad Wasim to start proceedings with the ball.
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... THE RUN CHASE ...
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Right then! South Africa need 187 runs! A big task on their batters and someone has to raise their hands up and take the team over the line. Stay tuned for the second essay.
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After opting to bowl first, South Africa had a great start as they got both the openers cheaply. They failed to keep the game in control in the middle phase and that saw Pakistan taking advantage. They failed to make an impact and the bowlers went for a few runs especially Anrich Nortje and Bjorn Fortuin. Kagiso Rabada struck twice in the fag end of the innings but it was too late as the damage was already done. Other than that, the big concern for South Africa will be the injury of Tabraiz Shamsi as he walked back during the match.
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Not the start Pakistan have wished for but this is a remarkable innings from them. Their openers gave a brisk start but lost their way quickly. Zaman and Hafeez tried to steady the ship but the latter fell in trying to and then Malik joined hands in the middle to put Pakistan in pole position. Zaman was the aggressor as he was dealing in sixes while Malik rotated the strike nicely. Later, Zaman brought up his fifty in just 28 balls and made way for Asif Ali. Both took some time before relishing themselves and hammering the opposition all over the parks. Asif Ali scored a quickfire 32 before giving away his wicket. A brilliant batting performance from Pakistan and they will fancy their chances.
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19.61Anrich Nortje to Shadab Khan
A full toss, on off stump. Khan heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single. PAKISTAN END WITH 186/6!
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19.52Anrich Nortje to Shadab Khan
Fullish ball, around off and slashed over extra cover for a couple of runs.
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19.41Anrich Nortje to Hasan Ali
Full and straight, Ali digs it out onto the deck. They scamper through and Anrich Nortje has a shy at the bowler's end but misses.
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19.36Anrich Nortje to Hasan Ali
SIX! Bang! In the slot and Hasan Ali gets low to smoke it over the cow corner fence for a huge hit.
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19.21Anrich Nortje to Shadab Khan
Another perfect wide yorker, Khan manages to squeeze it towards backward point for a run.