Openers Muhammad Rizwan and skipper Babar Azam put another hundred-run partnership to lead Pakistan to a 45-run victory over Namibia on Tuesday night in Abu Dhabi to become the first side to qualify for the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup.
Chasing a formidable target of 190, the African newbies gave a good account of their ability and promise, and were 83-2 at one point in the run chase. They eventually finished with 144-5 as Pakistan collected the two points they needed to go through the next round.
Earlier, Babar and fellow opener Rizwan hit half centuries to guide Pakistan to 189-2.
Babar notched his 23rd T20 International fifty with a 49-ball 70 while Rizwan finished with a 50-ball 79 not out after Pakistan won the toss and batted on a greenish Sheikh Zayed stadium pitch.
The pair added 113 for the first wicket after Pakistan were slow out of the blocks, scoring just 59 in the first ten overs but ended with a flurry in the next ten, taking 130 runs.
Veteran Mohammad Hafeez scored a brisk 16-ball 32 not out with five boundaries.
Pakistan’s total is the second highest in this tournament, behind Afghanistan’s 190-4 against Scotland in Sharjah.
Pakistan top Group 1 with three wins in as many games and a victory here will see them become the first team to qualify for the semi-finals.
Babar hit seven boundaries before he holed out to David Wiese in the 15th over while Fakhar Zaman was smartly caught by keeper Zane Green for five.
Rizwan reached his tenth half century with a pulled six off Wiese in the 19th over before hitting four boundaries and a six to take 22 off JJ Smit’s final over.
Rizwan’s knock included eight fours and four sixes.
Namibia tried their best to match their opponents with David Wiese notching 43 not out and Craig Williams scoring 40 but Pakistani bowlers never allowed them a free hand.
Pakistan will play their fifth semi-final in Twenty20 World Cup history — the most by any team.
Williams knocked five boundaries and a six before he holed out to spinner Shadab Khan while Wiese smashed two sixes and three boundaries in his 31-ball knock.
Opener Stephan Baard scored 29.
Pakistan next face Scotland in their last group match in Sharjah on Sunday.
