Imran Nazir smashed 72 to guide Pakistan to Super Eight stage of the ICC World Twenty20 (Highlights and Summary)

Pakistan thrash Bangaldesh out of the ICC World T20 today beating them comprehensively by 8 wickets and 8 balls to spare in the last match of Group D, as well as initial round of the tournament, here at at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

 

Imran Nazir smashed 72 to guide Pakistan to Super Eight stage of the ICC World Twenty20

 

 

Imran Nazir emrged as the hero of the day for Pakistan with his quickfire 72 at a blistering strike rate of 200. He smashed nine boundaries and three sixes in his 36-run innings. In the pursuit today, he also hit the fastest 50 of the ongoing ICC World Twenty20 in just 25 balls. He provided a 124-run opening stand with his skipper Muhammad Hafeez (45 off 47).

 

Earlier, Bangladesh won the important toss and piled up a huge total of 175 courtesy to some brilliant batting at the top of the order. Openers, Muhammad Ashraful (14 off 13) and Tamim Iqbal (24 off 12), provided a flying start to their team which needed at least a 36-run victory over Pakistan to qualify for the Super Eights. The real gem of the innings came from Shakib al Hasan, one of the best all rounders in this modern day cricket.

 

Shakib scored blistering knock of 84 runs consuming just 54 balls and hitting 11 boundaries and two towering sixes off Umar Gul and Yasir Arafat. He was well supported by his captain Musfiur Rahim (25 off 26) and talented youngster Nasir Hossain (16 off 13).

 

Pakistan were needed to score at least 140 to qualify for the next round; but Imran Nazir fully encashed the lucky escape, when he was on just one. Abul Hasan dropped a real sitter off Shafiul Islam in just second over of Pakistan Innings.

 

In the end 22-year-old Nasir Jamshed (29 off 14) showed his class and variety of strokes before Kamran Akmal (15 off 22) smashed a winning boundary on the fourth ball of 19th over.

 

Imran Nazir was named man of the match for his fiery knock. Bangladesh now will go home while Pakistan will face South Africa on Friday (September 28) in the first match of Super Eight round.

Watch video highlights below:

 

 

 

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ICC, Cricket, world twenty20, world t20, icc world t20, Super Eight Stage, Shakib al Hasan, Pakistan, Imran Nazir, twenty20 cricket, t20 world cup

ICC World Twenty20 -- Super Eight Stage Final Group Formation

ICC World Twenty20 -- Super Eight Stage Final Group Formation

 

The Super Eight stage consists of the top two teams from each group of the group stage. The teams are split into two groups, Groups 1 and 2. Group 1 will consist of the top seed from Groups A and C, and the second seed of groups B and D. Group 2 will consist of the top seed from Groups B and D, and the second seed of groups A and C.

 

ICC World Twenty20 -- Super Eight Stage Final Group Formation

 

 

The seedings used are those allocated at the start of the tournament and are not affected by group stage results, with the exception of if a non-seeded team knocks out a seeded team, the non-seeded team inherits the seed of the knocked-out team.

 

According to latest updates West Indies have also qualified for the Super 8 stage without winning a single match in the initial stage - same like England in ICC World T20 in 2010.

 

As per the latest team positions the two groups of Super Eight stage are as follows:

 

Super Eight (Group 1):  This group will be the group of death as it will, more probably, consists of the all top four teams qualified from initial stage i.e. Australia, India, South Africa and fourth team will be finalized after last match of the initial stage between Pakistan and Bangladesh

 

Super Eight (Group 2): Sri Lanka, New Zealand, England and West Indies 

 

Teams in each group will play one match each with the group mates to qualify for the knoc-out round and top two teams will qualify for the semi-finals.