Aamir Ali Janjua SHARJAH (November 7, 2021):-Pakistan saw off Scotland by 72 runs to top Group 2, preserve a perfect record and set up a semi-final clash with Australia at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. Skipper Babar Azam made 66 and Shoaib Malik clubbed an incredible 18-ball fifty as Pakistan posted 189 for four from their 20 overs, having chosen to bat. Despite Richie Berrington’s defiant unbeaten 54, Scotland only managed 117 for six in reply as their campaign ended in defeat. The most prolific batter in the Super 12s, Babar set about compiling his fifth half-century with consummate ease, starting with a sumptuous cover drive for four off Hamza Tahir. Babar’s opening partnership with Mohammad Rizwan has yielded two century stands and the keeper-batter launched Brad Wheal for a massive six over cow corner in the fifth over. It wasn’t the day for another big partnership however as Tahir tossed one up and drew an under-edge from Rizwan that was well held by Matt Cross, dismissing him for 15. Babar was unperturbed and hit the roof of the Sharjah Cricket Stadium with a maximum from Mark Watt’s bowling. But the 27-year-old star lost another partner as Fakhar Zaman holed out to cow corner for eight to continue his lean run of form and make it 59 for two. Mohammad Hafeez came to the crease and acted as a foil to his captain, who continued to torment the Scottish attack, taking Watt for successive fours with power and poise. Hafeez really hit his straps in the 15th over, sending Safyaan Sharif flying fully 97 metres over long-on, then back-to-back fours before being trapped LBW for an entertaining 31. Watt has been Scotland’s key weapon with the ball but found his economy rate ruined further with a brutal bottom-handed six from Malik to kickstart his innings. It was Watt’s spin twin, leg-spinner Chris Greaves, who had most joy and his control was rewarded with the big wicket of Babar, who picked out George Munsey at long on to depart for 66. Malik took aim at Sharif and struck two further massive blows over midwicket and then down the arc to take the penultimate over for 17 runs. Then Greaves bore the full brunt of the veteran batter, who hit the last four legal deliveries of the innings for three sixes and a four to bring up Pakistan’s fastest-ever T20I fifty. The run chase always looked a tall order for Scotland, whose high score in the tournament was 165, and they made a steady if unspectacular start. They reached 23 for none with George Munsey finding scoring easier than his captain Kyle Coetzer, who was clean bowled by Hasan Ali for nine in the sixth over. Pakistan struck again when Imad Wasim palmed a low Munsey drive onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end to run Cross out for five. And Shadab Khan broke the backbone of the Scotland batting order with two wickets in three balls midway through the innings. Munsey departed on the first ball after drinks when he nicked to short third man and Dylan Budge was bowled for a third-ball duck to make it 41 for four. Scotland’s most consistent batter Berrington built an excellent partnership with Michael Leask, that started when Berrington whipped Hasan Ali for two boundaries in three balls. Berrington dominated the scoring in a partnership of 46, to which Leask added 14 at a run-a-ball before being comprehensively bowled by Shaheen Shah Afridi for 14. Berrington forged on and then smacked Hasan over long-on for six before bringing up an excellent fifty from 34 balls. Haris Rauf got Greaves for four in the final over as Scotland finished their 20 overs on 117 for six, a full 72 runs short, with Berrington ending unbeaten on 54. The semifinals will see Group 1 toppers England take on New Zealand in Abu Dhabi on 10 November while Group 2 toppers Pakistan will play Australia in Dubai on 11 November. The final will be played in Dubai on 14 November. The complete results and fixtures are available on the page here and the points table here Scores in brief Pakistan beat Scotland at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah by 72 runs Pakistan 189/4 in 20 overs (Babar Azam 66, Shoaib Malik 54 not out; Chris Greaves 2/43, Hamza Tahir 1/24) Scotland 117/6 in 20 overs (Richie Berrington 54 not out, George Munsey 17; Shadab Khan 2/14, Shaheen Shah Afridi 1/24) Player of the Match: Shoaib Malik (Pakistan)

Sports Bulletin Report Abu Dhabi (November 7, 2021):-New Zealand sealed their place in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 semi-finals in style courtesy of a comfortable eight-wicket win over Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. Kane Williamson and Devon Conway’s unbroken 68-run third-wicket stand saw the Black Caps home with 11 balls to spare, securing their place as one of two Group 2 qualifiers alongside Pakistan and eliminating India in the process. Afghanistan had begun the match with slim qualifying hopes of their own but a poor start with the bat left them on the back foot on 19 for three. Najibullah Zadran’s sparkling 73 inspired a revival but Trent Boult was exceptional once more with the ball, taking three for 17 to limit Afghanistan to 124 for eight. And though New Zealand lost both openers in reply, Williamson and Conway – who finished unbeaten on 40 and 36 respectively – combined to steer their side home with a minimum of fuss and set up a semi-final with either England or Australia. Afghanistan opted to bat upon winning the toss but saw both openers dismissed in quick succession as New Zealand’s fast bowlers gained an early stranglehold. Mohammad Shahzad was superbly caught behind by Devon Conway attempting an upper-cut off Adam Milne before Trent Boult induced a leading edge from Hazratullah Zazai, whose departure left Afghanistan 12 for two. Tim Southee was next to strike, trapping Rahmanullah Gurbaz lbw, as the score limped to 23 for three by the end of the powerplay – the third lowest total after six overs in the tournament so far. Najibullah settled in more smoothly than his predecessors at the crease and got the scoreboard moving with consecutive boundaries off Jimmy Neesham. Another boundary off Ish Sodhi took Afghanistan past 50 but the spinner struck back in somewhat fortuitous fashion when a short ball was chopped on to his stumps by Gulbadin Naib. His departure saw Afghanistan reach the halfway point on 56 for four and Najibullah was content to nudge singles before stepping on the accelerator once more in the 14th over. Two sixes off Mitchell Santner, over long-on and deep midwicket respectively, took the run rate back above six, and Najibullah soon brought up his second half-century of the tournament – this one from 33 balls. He cleared the ropes again off Southee as Afghanistan looked for valuable late runs, though the seamer picked up his second scalp by holding a return catch to dismiss Mohammad Nabi for 14. The ever-reliable Boult then brought Najibullah's fine innings to an end, Neesham taking a fine diving catch at long-off, and also accounted for Karim Janat in a typically clinical death over. Neesham followed up by conceding just two from the final over, which also included the wicket of Rashid Khan from its final ball as Afghanistan set the Black Caps 125 to win. Knowing victory would be enough on its own, without net run-rate entering the equation, Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell made a steady start to the chase to lay the foundations. Mitchell cut the returning Mujeeb Ur Rahman to the point boundary but with the opening partnership worth 26, the spinner had his revenge in his next over by finding the batter’s outside edge. Williamson joined Guptill to safely negotiate the remainder of the powerplay, which concluded with consecutive Guptill boundaries off Mujeeb to take New Zealand to 45 for one. But the opener found life tougher against Rashid and fell aiming a heave at the spinner, who wheeled away to celebrate his 400th T20 wicket and give his side fresh hope. With Nabi’s off-breaks proving just as hard to get away, the Black Caps reached the halfway point of the chase on 61 for two – just five runs better off than Afghanistan at the same stage. Afghanistan continued to apply pressure, bringing close fielders in as the required rate ticked towards seven an over, and Williamson’s clip through the leg-side off Rashid midway through the 12th over brought his side’s first boundary for 33 balls. A typically elegant drive off Gulbadin brought the Black Caps skipper four more and Conway then made effective use of the sweep against Nabi, picking up consecutive boundaries before reverse sweeping Rashid through third man. The 50-run partnership came up in the 16th over as the pair continued to guide their side towards the finish line and Conway knocked the winning single down the ground from the first ball of the 19th over to seal his side’s progress. New Zealand will now wait until the conclusion of Pakistan’s clash with Scotland to discover their semi-final opponents. Should Pakistan win, New Zealand will finish second and take on England in Semi Final 1 in Abu Dhabi on 10 November. If Scotland are successful and the Black Caps finish top of the group, they will take on Australia in Semi Final 2 in Dubai the following day. Scores in brief New Zealand beat Afghanistan at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi by eight wickets Afghanistan 124/8 in 20 overs (Najibullah Zadran 73; Trent Boult 3/17, Tim Southee 2/24) New Zealand 125/2 in 18.1 overs (Kane Williamson 40 not out, Devon Conway 36 not out; Rashid Khan 1/27, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 1/31) Player of the Match: Trent Boult (New Zealand)

LAHORE (November 7, 2021): Abdullah Adnan, Zahra Suleman, Mahatir Mohammad and Asad Zaman have won their respective titles in the All Pakistan Junior National Tennis Championship 2021 that concluded here at Punjab Tennis Academy, Bagh-e-Jinnah. Abdullah Adnan completed the hat-trick of national Under-18 titles by defeating seasoned campaigner Mahatir Mohammad of Karachi 6-3, 7-5 in the Boys U-18 final. Although Abdullah won the final in straight sets, but it was Mahatir, who gave tough time to the winner and reached quite close in the second set before losing the final. In the girls Under-18 final, Zarhra Suleman (LGS Defence) played well against spirited Ashtafila Arif and after a tough battle, she won the final with a score of 6-4, 6-3. In the girls U-14 final, Soha Ali was up against Noori Saad and she played tremendous tennis against her opponent to win the final and title by 4-1, 4-1. In the Boys Under-16 final, Mahatir Mohammad of Karachi had to struggle hard to beat talented Ahtesham Humayun with a score of 7-6(3), 6-2. In the boys Under-14 final, Asad Zaman continued his good show and winning spree as once again he clinched the U-14 title by outpacing Ahtesham Humayun with a margin of 6-2, 6-3. In the boys U-12 final, Amir Mazari faced tough resistance from Omer Jawad before registering a narrow 4-1, 2-4, 4-1 victory. The boys/girls U-10 title was once again won by Abdur Rehman (AAA Associates), who defeated his younger sister Hajra Sohail 4-2, 4-5(5), 4-1. (Press Release)  

Sports Reporter LAHORE (November 7, 2021):-The Second match between Pakistan seniors and juniors ended 2-2 draw after thrilling contest at National Hockey Stadium, Lahore on Sunday. A four-match series is being played under the banner of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).  President PHF Brig (Retd) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar along with Secretary General PHF Asif Bajwa, Associate Secretary General PHF Zahir Shah and Secretary Punjab Hockey Association Col R Asif Naz Khokhar watched the match. National Hockey selection committee reviewed the performance of players. According to details, a four-day series under the auspices of Pakistan Hockey Federation for the formation and preparation of national senior and junior hockey teams participating in Junior World Cup and Asian Champions Trophy is underway at National Hockey Stadium Lahore. The second match of the series ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw between Pakistan Seniors and Pakistan Juniors. In the 13th minute of the match, Ahmed Nadeem took the lead for Pakistan Seniors by scoring a field goal while in the 23rd minutes of the match, the full back of Pakistan Seniors Mubashir Ali strengthened the lead by scoring a goal through a drag flick on a penalty corner. Pakistan Juniors reduced the deficit by scoring a field goal with the help of Abdul Hanan Shahid in the 32nd minute of the game while Rana Abdul Waheed scored a field goal for Pakistan Juniors in the 52nd minute of the game. The match was supervised by umpires Yasir Khurshid and Mazhar Wasim while Mubashir Ali was the reserve umpire. Ali Abbas performed the duties of technical officer of this match. National Hockey Selection Committee members Olympian Manzoor Jr., Olympian Nasir Ali, Olympian Khalid Hameed, Olympian Ayaz Mahmood and Olympian Wasim Feroze carefully reviewed the performance of the players. President Pakistan Hockey Federation Brig. R khald Sajjad Khokhar, Secretary General PHF Olympian Asif Bajwa, Associate Secretary PHF Syed Muhammad Zahir Shah, Secretary Punjab Hockey Association Lieutenant Colonel R Asif Naz Khokhar, Staff Officer to President PHF Tariq Mir were also present in the stadium to watch the thrilling match.

Saad Kayani KARACHI (November 7, 2021):-Pakistan national women’s team will start final phase of their preparations for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier when they will take on the West Indies in the first of the three One-Day Internationals at the National Stadium, Karachi, on Monday. Ahead of their departure for Zimbabwe on 16 November, where they will compete to win one of the three spots to secure qualification for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup New Zealand 2022, these three fixtures will serve as an opportunity to both sides to get the desired match practice. Wicketkeeper-batter Sidra Nawaz will lead the national side in the first match after the team management has decided to give Javeria Khan further time to gain match fitness. Meanwhile, Pakistan have also announced the 12-member squad for the first ODI, which is Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Zafar, Fatima Sana, Iram Javed, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin and Sidra Nawaz (captain and wicketkeeper). Nine high-definition cameras will live-stream the series across the globe through PCB’s official YouTube Channel as part of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s efforts to expand and promote women’s game and attract youngsters towards it. As per the guidelines issued by the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC), the seating capacity for the three matches will remain at 50 per cent. The stands will be open to general public on Sunday, 14 November, for the third ODI and the entry will be granted on the display of original CNIC and NADRA-issued Covid-19 Immunisation Certificates. For the ODIs on Monday and Thursday, colleges and schools have been extended invitations. This series also marks the return of the national women’s team to the iconic National Stadium after 15 years. Pakistan last played here in January 2006 when Karachi hosted Women’s Asia Cup in which Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka played at Karachi Gymkhana and National Stadium. Pakistan and West Indies have played twice at the National Stadium, in March 2004. The two women sides locked horns in a Test match. That match might have ended in a draw, but is remembered for opener Kiran Baluch’s stunning 242 and leg-spinner Shazia Khan’s match figures of 13 for 226 – which remain the highest Test score and best bowling figures in women’s game to date. The solitary ODI that the two teams played in the same month ended in the tourists’ seven-wicket victory. The two teams played a five-match ODI series during the national women’s team’s tour of Antigua in June-July that hosts sealed with a 3-2 scoreline. Pakistan won the last two matches of the series and the final ODI was set alive by teenage pacer Fatima Sana. Sidra Nawaz: “We are very excited and looking forward to play West Indies at the National Stadium. We have missed playing in front of our home crowd and I am sure fans will be treated with quality action when the series begins tomorrow. “This is a huge moment for me to be leading the national side in Pakistan. For any cricketer, it is nothing less than a dream to captain your country and I am very happy that I have gotten this opportunity. “We have had good preparation for this series and the team looks in great touch and ready to go after the final training session on Sunday. We will definitely miss Nida Dar and our thoughts and prayers are with her family.” Fixtures (all matches at National Stadium, to begin at 10am) November 8, 2021: 1st ODI. Rashid Riaz and Asif Yaqoob (on-field umpires) and Faisal Afridi (reserve umpire). Ali Naqvi (match referee) 11 Nov – 2nd ODI. Asif Yaqoob and Faisal Afridi (on-field umpires) and Rashid Riaz (reserve umpire). Ali Naqvi (match referee) 14 Nov – 3rd ODI. Asif Yaqoob and Rashid Riaz (on-field umpires) and Faisal Afridi (reserve umpire). Ali Naqvi (match referee).

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (November 7, 2021):-Yawar has won the Islamabad Tennis Center (ITC) Tennis Juniors’  League that concluded at ITF Tennis Complex G-6 Islamabad on Sunday. Results: Boys & Girls Over-16 (Round Robin): SeharAleem beat Mohammad Yahya 5-1; Abdullah beat Azeena Aleem 5-2; Haziq Aasim beat Sehar Aleem 5-1; Yawar beat Azan Sajid 5-1; Yawar beat Azan Sajid 5-1; Abdullah beat Mohammad Yahya 5-0; Sheeza SajidBt beat Azeena Aleem 5-3; Haziq Aasim beat Azeena Aleem 5-0; Haziq Aasim beat Azan Sajid 5-3; Yawar beat Abdullah 5-3; Sheeza Sajid beat Sehar Aleem 5-2; Azan Sajid beat Azeena Aleem 5-1 Positions 1. Yawar 2. HaziqAasim 3. Abdullah Under-10 Boys & Girls (Round Robin): Mohammad Taha beat Wishalar Shad 4-0; Moeen Uddin beat Hashim Usman 4-0; Aamir Masood beat Arshman Maqsood 4-0; Qasim Ul Khair beat Hashim Usman 4-0; Mohammad Taha beat Fatima Maqsood 4-0; Moeen Uddin beat Fatima Maqsood 4-0; Qasim Ul Khiar beat Amna Maqsood 4-0; Aamir Masood beat Hashim Usman 4-0; Mohammad Taha beat Amna Maqsood 4-0; Moeen Uddin beat Amna Maqsood 4-0; Qasim Ul Khiar beat Wishal Arshad 4-1; Aamir Masood beat Fatima Maqsood 4-0; Wishal Arshad beat Hashim Usman 4-0; Arshman Maqsood beat Moeen Uddin 4-0; Qasim Ul Khair beat Arshman Maqsood 4-0; Aamir Masood beat Amna Maqsood 4-0; Wishal Arshad beat Fatima Maqsood 4-2 Positions 1. Mohammad Taha 2. Aamir Masood 3. Qasim Ul Khair Under-12 Boys & Girls (Round Robin): Mahrukh Sajid beat Ayesha Masood 5-0; Uzair Maqsood beat Sophia Usman 5-0; Mahrukh Sajid beat Lalarukh Sajid 5-1; Positions 1. Mahrukh Sajid 2. Lalarukh Sajid 3. Uzair Maqsood Under-14 Boys and Girls (Round Robin): Abdul Wasay beat Lalarukh Sajid 5-0; Sameer Maqsood beat Lalarukh Sajid 5-2; Abdul Wasay beat Mahrukh Sajid 5-1; Sameer Maqsood beat Lalarukh Sajid 5-2; Sameer Maqsood beat Mahrukh Sajid 5-1; Positions 1. Ammar Masood 2. Abdul Wasay 3. Sameer Maqsood  

Abdullah Asjad ISLAMABAD (November 7, 2021):-Croatia have won two gold medals while Pakistan earned a single silver medal in the ongoing Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Pakistan Open International Taekwondo (G-1) Championship 2021 at Liaquat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex, Islamabad on Sunday. Results Male Events: Under-68 Kg (Feather Weight) Gold: Glasnovic (Croatia) Silver: Zain Hikmatullah (Afghanistan) Bronze: Mohammad Othman (Jordon) Bronze: Eyad Barakat (Egypt) Under-54 Kg (Fin Weight) Gold: Omer Sharaky (Egypt) Silver: Tenzeel Hasanat (Pakistan) Bronze: Ahmed Jawad Zazai (Afghanistan) Bronze: Mohammad Atif Yaqoob (Afghanistan)  Female Events: Under-57 Kg (Feather Weight) Gold: Glasnovic Nikita (Croatia) Silver: Noor Rehman (Pakistan Green) Bronze: Aleem Anusha (Pakistan Air Force) Bronze: Aqsa Shafqat (Pakistan WAPDA) Under-46 Kg (Fin Weight) Gold: Aidana Yedibayeva (Kazakhstan) Silver: Asifa Ali (Pakistan) Bronze: Esha Safdar (Pakistan) Bronze: Samrah Bibi (Pakistan)  

SPORTS REPORTER RAWALPINDI (November 7, 2021):-Muslim Club beat Pakistan Navy by 2-1 goal in the 13th Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL)  while Pakistan Army and Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) played match goalless draw at Municipal Stadium, Rawalpindi. The first match of day was played between Pakistan Army and KRL. In the 36th minutes of the first half, Munir Ahmed scored one goal for KRL and Mateen Tariq equalized the match 1-1 in the injury time of the second half. Danish Hameed and Mateen Tariq received one yellow card for Pakistan Army for playing foul. Nasir and Mateen played well for Pakistan Army while Alamgir and Mohammad Asad were proformed best during the match. In the 2nd match, Mulsim Club defeated Pakistan Navy by 2-1 goals. Muslim Club took 2-0 lead in the first half and Pakistan Navy reduced the margin in the injury time of the second half. In the 6th minute of the first half, Aqeel Qahir scored first goal for Muslim Club and Qudratullah doubled the score 2-0 in the 38th minute. Noman of the Pakistan Navy reduced the margin 2-1 goal in the injury time of the second half. Abdul Qadir and Qudratullah played well for Muslim Club while Noman and Naveed were outstanding for Pakistan Navy.

SPECIAL REPORT A narrow win over England was not enough to see South Africa through to the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. The Proteas claimed victory by only ten runs when a winning margin of 60 was needed as England confirmed theirs and Australia’s involvements in the knockout stages despite suffering their first defeat in Group 1. For South African coach Mark Boucher the win was no consolation as they missed out on qualification through net run-rate. He said: “It is not successful because you're knocked out of a World Cup, so it is a better pill to swallow. “I think we played some very good cricket throughout the campaign cricket under a lot of pressure as well after having lost our first game. “We put in a lot of hard work in training, our chats were good. I think we beat the in-form side in white-ball cricket for a while now. “It's a tough one for the guys in the changing room. We knew what we had to do today, the equation was very difficult for us to have to get through. “I just said to the guys just try control what we can control. Unfortunately, we can't control what other results are out there. "We did the job today but it’s quite bitter.” For England, their first defeat of the tournament did not stop them from topping Group 1 and confirming their place in the semi-finals next week. However, they may be without Jason Roy who was forced off with a calf injury having made 20 off 16 balls as England looked to chase down 189. Eoin Morgan confirmed that he will have a scan tomorrow to assess the possibility of Roy having any further involvement in the tournament. Reflecting on the loss, Morgan said: “We're not going to be at our best every game, but we do need to find ways to win. “I think in the field, actually, we weren't as intense as we have been previous game. Just small things that we didn't do as neatly or as cleanly as we would have liked. “But with the ball, we probably kept them to a reasonable score, in and around par. Obviously, when your premium batsman goes down, that does hurt you, particularly given the form that he's in. “And also, on the other hand, the other guys that haven't batted a lot in the tournament came in, struck the ball really well which is a great sign obviously for the semi-final.”

SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT Sharjah (November 7, 2021):-England topped Group 1 and knocked opponents South Africa out of the tournament despite 94 from Rassie van der Dussen and a Kagiso Rabada hat-trick seeing South Africa to a 10-run win. The Proteas had set England a chase of 190 to win the game with Van der Dussen hitting his highest T20I score off just 60 balls. Although England failed in their chase, they made at least 131 which was all that was needed to confirm theirs and Australia’s places in the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. Reeza Hendricks never got going opening the batting with the potent Quinton de Kock, as he misjudged the flight of a Moeen Ali delivery and was bowled for two from eight balls. With South Africa at 26 for one after five overs, they were in need of some boundaries and Van der Dussen got the memo, smashing Chris Woakes for back-to-back boundaries as the Proteas ended the powerplay with 40 for one. By the halfway mark, De Kock and Van der Dussen were building a nice partnership together, putting on 58 as South Africa reached 73 for one with ten overs to go. Mark Wood was then brought on for his first spell of the tournament but his express pace did not stop Van der Dussen who scooped him for six. Instead, it would be Adil Rashid’s spin that disrupted the partnership, De Kock holing out to Jason Roy at long-on, and the right-hander was left staring in disbelief at the good start he had thrown away, having to depart for 34 off 26 balls. Having brought up his own fifty off 38 balls at the beginning of Wood’s next over, Van der Dussen ended it by smacking a six to move South Africa past 100. England matched boundary-less overs with bountiful ones as Chris Jordan conceded just four off the 15th over before Woakes was sent for back-to-back sixes from Van der Dussen, with Aiden Markram getting one for himself as South Africa raced ahead to 139 for two. Another glorious shot saw Markram bringing up his fifty off just 24 balls, as South Africa set a mammoth chase of 190 to win. There were a number of permutations as Jason Roy and Jos Buttler got England’s innings underway, first to reach 87 to ensure England’s qualification, then to 106 to top the group and anything past 132 would see South Africa knocked out and Australia join them in the semi-finals. Having only taken two off the first over, Roy and Buttler teed off, reaching 37 for no wicket after four overs before Roy pulled up in distress with a serious-looking calf injury and was helped off the pitch having made 20 off 15 balls. But it was South Africa that seemed unsettled as Keshav Maharaj bowled a wide and a no-ball, with Anrich Nortje dropping the free hit to see England take 13 off the over. And then for the first time in three innings, Buttler was out, sending a low catch to Temba Bavuma to fall two runs short of a double century across the three games. Jonny Bairstow was not in the middle for long going for a single of Tabraiz Shamsi’s second ball as spin twins Shamsi and Markram restricted England. Kagiso Rabada then released that pressure going for 11 as England reached 81 for two at the halfway point before a single for Moeen in Shamsi’s third over confirmed his side’s place in the semi-finals. Just eight balls later and a six out the ground saw England secure top of the group, but that was Moeen's last act caught in the deep by David Miller as Shamsi got revenge. England then stuttered before Liam Livingstone walloped the biggest six of the tournament sending it out of the ground and 112m and then sent another one, a crushing blow to South Africa as they were knocked out of the tournament. Dawid Malan was out having misjudged a slog as Eoin Morgan combined with Livingstone to pull England back into the game. However, needing 25 off 12 balls, Livingstone was caught in the deep but Woakes continued where he left off until Rabada got him with the first ball of the final over, to leave England needing 14 off five balls. Morgan went the next ball and then Jordan was out the ball after that as Rabada earned his hat-trick and snuffed out any chance of an England win as they eventually ten runs short on 179. South Africa beat England at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah by ten runs South Africa 189/2 in 20 overs (Rassie van der Dussen 94 not out; Aiden Markram 52 not out; Moeen Ali 1/27, Adil Rashid 1/32) England 179/8 in 20 overs (Moeen Ali 37, David Malan 33; Kagiso Rabada 3/48, Tabraiz Shamsi 2/24) Player of the Match: Rassie van der Dussen (South Africa)