Pakistan vs Namibia T20 World Cup 2021 Highlights: Pakistan cruise to 45-run victory; qualify for semi-finals

Pakistan vs Namibia T20 World Cup 2021 Highlights: Pakistan secure a comprehensive 45-run victory against Namibia to extend their unbeaten run to four games in the T20 World Cup.

PAK vs NAM Live Score T20 World Cup 2021 (AP)

Pakistan vs Namibia T20 World Cup 2021 Highlights: Pakistan have qualified for the semi-finals in the 2021 T20 World Cup with a comprehensive victory over Namibia in the Super 12. After opting to bat, Pakistan put 189/2 on the board as openers Babar Azam (70) and Mohammad Rizwan (79*) put on a second 100+ partnership in the Super 12 stage, adding 113 runs for the first wicket. Mohammad Hafeez also played an important cameo towards the ending stage of the innings, remaining unbeaten on 32 off just 16 balls. In the chase, Namibia were restricted to 145/5 in 20 overs. David Wiese (43*) was the top-scorer for the side, while Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan took a wicket each....Read More

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• 2 Nov 2021, 11:04:42 PM IST

  Wiese with significant contribution again

  Wiese has once again been key to Namibia in this game, even as the side has failed to go past the winning mark. After being the most economical bowler (1/30 in four overs), Wiese is currently on 29, as Namibia attempt to minimise the losing margin.

  One over remaining. Namibia 128/5. Target: 190

• 2 Nov 2021, 10:52:07 PM IST

  Smit departs

  JJ Smit is taken aback as Haris Rauf takes away the pace, deceiving the batter with a slower one. Smit, who had already committed to the shot, fails to adjust as the ball goes sailing in the air.

  It doesn't find the distance and Fakhar Zaman takes an easy catch on mid-on.

  Namibia 111/5 in 17 overs. Target: 190

• 2 Nov 2021, 10:46:16 PM IST

  83 needed off 24 deliveries

  The Pakistan supporters are roaring at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium as the side is cruising to a semi-final spot in the 2021 T20 World Cup. Only four overs away from the final-four!

• 2 Nov 2021, 10:36:11 PM IST

  4 down

  Williams now departs. In a bid to up the ante, the batter had no choice but to go for the big hits.

  Shadab finally get a breakthrough!

  Namibia 101/4 in 15 overs. Target: 190

• 2 Nov 2021, 10:28:55 PM IST

  Erasmus dismissed!

  Shaheen dropped Erasmus in the previous over, but Shadab Khan makes no mistake as he takes an easy catch at cover to send the Namibian captain back. Imad Wasim takes his first wicket.

  Namibia 84/3 in 13 overs. Target: 190

• 2 Nov 2021, 10:26:53 PM IST

  Shaheen drops Erasmus

  Erasmus charges down the track but mistimes a length delivery. He goes straight over bowler's head and almost instantly realises that he will be caught. However, Shaheen drops the catch near the long-off boundary.

  Namibia 78/2 in 12 overs

• 2 Nov 2021, 10:22:26 PM IST

  1 run of 11th over

  An excellent over from Haris Rauf straight after the drinks break. Craig Williams all at sea against Rauf's seething pace, as he fails to connect four of the six deliveries in the over. While one got a bottom edge and was deviated to Williams' stumps, the batter finally found a connection on the last ball for a single towards cover.

  Namibia 71/2 in 11 overs

• 2 Nov 2021, 10:14:50 PM IST

  Namibia 70/2 in 10 overs

  A couple of boundaries from Gerhard Erasmus as Namibia breach the 7 rpo rate at the halfway mark of the innings. Pakistan were 69/0 at the same stage, but Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan steered a tremendous recovery, with a special cameo from Mohammad Hafeez as well.

  Can Namibia repeat the same and pull out an upset?

• 2 Nov 2021, 10:10:15 PM IST

  Wicket no.2!

  Stephen Baard is run-out on a run-a-ball 29. A lack of communication between the two batters. Craig Williams screamed his lungs out towards Baard to go back to his crease, but the batter seemed to be in his own zone as he turned to return for a second.

  Namibia 55/2 in 8.4 overs 

• 2 Nov 2021, 10:07:35 PM IST

  50 up for Namibia

  Namibia bring their 50 in the 9th over of the innings. Craig Williams slams a six off Mohammad Hafeez to take the side past 50.

• 2 Nov 2021, 10:00:25 PM IST

  Namibia 34/1 in 6 overs

  End of Powerplay. Craig Williams and Stephen Baard need to up the ante and take risks to keep Namibia on course in this game.

• 2 Nov 2021, 09:47:19 PM IST

  Tight start from Pakistan

  Both Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali beat the Namibia batters on multiple occasions in their first-two overs respectively. 

  23/1 in 4 overs; Target: 190

• 2 Nov 2021, 09:33:10 PM IST

  Hasan Ali strikes!

  Ali draws first blood as he castles Michael van Lingen on 4. 

  The opener had hit the four off his first delivery against Shaheen towards square leg, and attempts to loft it over the same area against Hasan. However, he completely misses the line.

  Namibia 8/1 in 1.3 overs

• 2 Nov 2021, 09:26:07 PM IST

  Players return for the run-chase

  Namibia stare at a big target here, and they will have to get past Pakistan's fiery pace trio – Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali. 

• 2 Nov 2021, 09:15:38 PM IST

  4, 6, 4, 4, 4, 2

  What a finish from Mohammad Rizwan, as he accumulates 24 runs from the last over of the innings! In merely six deliveries, Rizwan covers up for his slow start. 

  JJ Smit remains completely off his line and lengths. He went full on his first delivery as Rizwan hammers it straight for a four, then bowls a full toss for a six. He pitches it short on the third ball as Rizwan scoops it towards third man. Smit pulls back his length a little but bowls wide-outside off on fourth and fifth deliveries respectively, as Rizwan cuts them past point for successive fours. A two to end the innings as Rizwan goes through cover.

  Pakistan finish on 189/2 in 20 overs! 

• 2 Nov 2021, 09:07:04 PM IST

  50 for Rizwan

  A second half-century for the opener in this edition, and what a way to bring it. He slaps a full-toss delivery from Wiese behind square. A relatively slower knock from Rizwan, as the fifty comes in 42 deliveries.

  Pakistan 165/2 in 19 overs

• 2 Nov 2021, 09:00:25 PM IST

  ‘Professor’ on the charge!

  Mohammad Hafeez hasn't taken much time to settle. The ‘Professor’ is only dealing in boundaries, it seems. Hafeez has slammed five fours in his first 10 deliveries, steering Pakistan to a strong finish.

  Pakistan 150/2 in 17.4 overs

• 2 Nov 2021, 08:49:29 PM IST

  WHAT A CATCH!

  That's an absolute stunner from wicketkeeper Zane Green. Fakhar Zaman's inconsistent run continues as he departs on 5. 

  The ball came into the left-hander and Zaman, who had already stepped out, failed to adjust in time for the length delivery. Green was also chasing the ball but the outside-edge forced him to change directions. He gets to the ball just in time, extending his left arm to pull out a great catch.

  Pakistan 127/2 in 16 overs

• 2 Nov 2021, 08:40:41 PM IST

  Babar departs!

  He scores a brilliant 70. Slower delivery from David Wiese outside-off, and Babar Azam attempts to pull it with enormous power. He couldn't find the distance, however. An easy catch at deep midwicket for Jan Frylinck.

  Pakistan 118/1 in 15 overs

• 2 Nov 2021, 08:32:33 PM IST

  Rizwan joins the party!

  It took him time, but Rizwan is finally finding his groove. He ended the 12th over with a four and now steps out against Loftie-Eaton to slam a fullish delivery for a towering six over long-on. 

  The over also brings Pakistan's 100.

  Pakistan 100/0 in 13 overs. 

• 2 Nov 2021, 08:24:52 PM IST

  Babar Azam scores fifty!

  A well-crafted half-century from Babar Azam, who has reached his fifty in 39 deliveries! He has been leading Pakistan's charge since the beginning of the innings, as Mohammad Rizwan has struggled to connect throughout his time on the crease so far.

  Pakistan 89/0 in 11.3 overs

• 2 Nov 2021, 08:12:51 PM IST

  50 up for Pakistan

  It has been a slow start for Pakistan, however. The side reaches the 50-run mark at the end of the 9th over of the innings.

  Babar Azam has scored 37 off those, while Rizwan is reeling at 14 off 23 deliveries.

  Pakistan 50/0 in 9 overs

• 2 Nov 2021, 08:07:35 PM IST

  Healthy strike rotation

  The big shots may be yet to arrive, but both openers have indulged in healthy strike-rotation over the past two overs, accumulating 16 runs. Babar Azam, in particular, has looked in fine touch. 

  Time to shift gears.

  Pakistan 45/0 in 8 overs

• 2 Nov 2021, 07:58:54 PM IST

  Pakistan 29/0 at end of Powerplay

  It has been a tight start from Namibia, who have kept both Pakistan openers fairly quiet in the starting overs. The bowlers have conceded at a run-rate for only 4.83. 

• 2 Nov 2021, 07:52:09 PM IST

  Rizwan survives

  GOOD REVIEW by Pakistan. It had pitched outside the leg stump but only marginally. Rizwan survives. It was a good fuller length delivery by Smit, Rizwan went across the line but missed it. It it him in front and the umpire raised his finger but Pakistan opener was quick to use the review and replays showed the ball pitched just a tad outside the leg stump. 

• 2 Nov 2021, 07:46:20 PM IST

  Babar breaks the shackles

  Wiese to Azam: FOUR! The pressure was building, Pakistan needed to break free and Babar Azam does exactly that. He makes some room and cuts Weise's shortish delivery through the off-side to collect the first boundary of the Pakistan innings. 

• 2 Nov 2021, 07:44:29 PM IST

  Trumpelmann superb

  Excellent stuff from Ruben Trumpelmann. He has given a hard time to both Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam with his first two overs. The left-armer gave away only 2 runs so far. 

• 2 Nov 2021, 07:36:48 PM IST

  Babar Azam is away

  Wiese to Azam: Three! Wiese strays down the pads and Babar Azam would knock these off even in his sleep. He gets off the mark with a nice flick between mid-wicket and mid on. Good running from both of them allows to collect three.

• 2 Nov 2021, 07:35:06 PM IST

  Maiden to start

  The perfect start for Trumpelmann and Namibia. The left-armer got the ball to swing a tad and more importantly, he was immaculate with his line and lenght. Rizwan showed utmost respect. 

• 2 Nov 2021, 07:31:54 PM IST

  Trumpelmann on the money

  Nice length and nice line from Trumpelmann and Mohammad Rizwan equally good with a confident backfoot defensive push. 

• 2 Nov 2021, 07:27:03 PM IST

  Let the action begin!

  We are done with the national anthems and the players now take to the field!

• 2 Nov 2021, 07:10:10 PM IST

  Playing XI for both sides

  Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan(w), Babar Azam(c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi

  Namibia: Stephan Baard, Michael van Lingen, Craig Williams, Gerhard Erasmus(c), Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Zane Green(w), David Wiese, JJ Smit, Jan Frylinck, Ruben Trumpelmann, Ben Shikongo

• 2 Nov 2021, 07:09:34 PM IST

  Erasmus happy to bowl first

  “We would have tried to have a bowl first. (Pakistan are) a high quality side and also the in-form side in the tournament, it is going to be a challenge. We have two changes, Stephan Baard and Ben Shikingo come in,” says Namibia captain.

• 2 Nov 2021, 07:05:52 PM IST

  Pakistan unchanged

  “We are looking to test our batting,” says Babar Azam during the toss as he opts to bat in Abu Dhabi. He further adds that the side is unchanged as this is Pakistan's first game at the venue in the 2021 T20 World Cup.

• 2 Nov 2021, 07:03:48 PM IST

  Toss Update

  Pakistan win toss, opt to bat against Namibia in Abu Dhabi!

• 2 Nov 2021, 06:51:19 PM IST

  Fakhar's form key

  Over the past three games, one or both of the Pakistan openers made important contributions for the side in their run-chase. However, no.3 batter Fakhar Zaman had been inconsistent with his two outings.

  Against New Zealand, he scored 11 off 17 deliveries but showed some promise with a 25-ball 30 when the side took on Afghanistan. The match against Namibia provides an excellent opportunity for the batter to find some quick runs on the board.

• 2 Nov 2021, 06:40:20 PM IST

  Malik wary of the format's unpredictability

  “Honestly, we’re not thinking of anything different because the T20 format is where you can’t take an opponent lightly. We’re completely confident, so we’re looking forward to the game,” Pakistan's Shoaib Malik says ahead of the game against Namibia.

• 2 Nov 2021, 06:34:34 PM IST

  A match for milestones

  This would be Babar Azam's 200th T20. He only needs 37 more runs to go past Shoaib Malik and become Pakistan's second-highest T20I run-scorer.

  Shaheen Afridi will also be playing in his 100th T20.

• 2 Nov 2021, 06:30:18 PM IST

  First meeting between the two

  Pakistan and Namibia have never met before in a T20I. Incidentally, the two teams have faced only once in international cricket – during the 2003 ODI World Cup.

  On paper, Pakistan is a far superior team. Here's a brief form guide for the two sides in T20Is:

  Pakistan: WWWWL

  Namibia: LWWWL

• 2 Nov 2021, 06:18:07 PM IST

  Pakistan's hunting ground

  It has been over 9 years since Pakistan last conceded a defeat in Abu Dhabi. In this edition, however, this will be Pakistan's first match at the venue.

  Given the conditions relatively have more support for the pacers, Pakistan remain prime contenders for a win and extending their unbeaten streak at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

• 2 Nov 2021, 06:08:15 PM IST

  Task cut out for Namibia

  The first game of the day between South Africa and Bangladesh at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium saw pacers getting significant movement. If this remains the story for the night game as well, Namibia batters have their task cut out – remain more vigilant against Pakistan's pace-bowling trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Hasan Ali.

  The trio has taken 14 off 21 wickets Pakistan have claimed in the 2021 T20 World Cup so far.

• 2 Nov 2021, 06:00:56 PM IST

  Can Namibia punch above their weight?

  Is it really a Cricket World Cup without an underdog story? Since their opening-game defeat against Sri Lanka in Round 1, Namibia went on a winning streak which only ended three games later against Afghanistan last week. The side pulled out upsets against The Netherlands and Ireland, before defeating Scotland in their first Super 12 game. 

  Despite a heavy loss to Afghanistan, Namibia are not yet out of contention for the semi-finals. It definitely seems far-fetched. But then, again – is it really a Cricket World Cup when Pakistan are not unpredictable? 

• 2 Nov 2021, 05:54:18 PM IST

  Pakistan flying high

  Not many named Pakistan among the favourites for the T20 World Cup title eight days ago. Since then, Babar Azam's men have decimated India by 10 wickets, defeated Kane Williamson's New Zealand and edged past Afghanistan to go top of the table in Group 2. 

  If it hasn't been recalled already, the Pakistan team pulled out such dominant performances merely weeks after their head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis stepped down, and New Zealand and England pulled of their respective tours to the country.  

• 2 Nov 2021, 05:40:47 PM IST

  PAK vs NAM Live Score, Match 31

  Hello and welcome to the live coverage of 2021 T20 World Cup Match 31, Pakistan vs Namibia. Babar Azam's men will assure a berth in the semi-final with a victory tonight, while Namibia will aim to defy the odds.