Sharjah: Pakistan kept their unbeaten run going in the ICC World T20 with a 72 run victory over Scotland in Sharjah on Sunday. Having already booked a place in the semi-final, this result saw them climb to the top of the Super 12, Group 1. The former champions will meet Australia in the second semi-final on November 11.
Pakistan rode on Babar Azam(56) and Shoaib Malik’s (54*) knocks to get to 189/4 in 20 overs. Skipper Babar after the early departure of his fellow opener Mohammad Rizwan, anchored the innings alongside Mohammad Hafeez(31) to pick the up pace stitching a 53 run stand before the latter got dismissed after a breezy inning. Babar brought up his 4th fifty of this tournament. However, it was for Shoaib Malik, who’s blistering 18 ball knock propelled the side’s late onslaught to post a strong total.
Chasing a mammoth 190 was an uphill task for the Scottish side who finished at 117/6 despite the collapse in their batting lineup. Richie Berrington(54) was the lone warrior in a losing cause bringing up a fighting half-century. He alongside George Munsey(17) and Michael Leask(14) were the only batters to get to double digits. Leg spinner Shadab Khan(2/14) lead the charge for Pakistan alongside Shaheen Afridi(1/24).
Brief Scores: Pakistan 189/4 in 20 overs (Babar Azam 66, Shoaib Malik 54*; Hamza Tahir 1/24) beat Scotland 117/6 in 20 overs (Richie Berrington 54, George Munsey 17; Shadab Khan 2/14) by 72 runs.
