ICC T20 World Cup: Malik, Babar star as Pakistan thrash Scotland

Blistering half-centuries from veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik and captain Babar Azam was enough for Pakistan to secure a thumping 72-run win in the last round-robin fixture of the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup 2021 against Scotland on Sunday.

It was the Men-in-Green’s skipper who won the toss and elected to bat first at the Sharjah Cricket Ground.

The Green Caps were struggling at the halfway mark of the innings as they only managed to score 60 runs for the loss of two wickets.

However, some outstanding hitting from Malik, Babar and Hafeez help the Shaheens in posting a more than competitive total of 189 for the loss of four wickets in their 20 overs.

The Pakistan captain finished the innings with the top score of 66 off 47 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes.

Malik remained unbeaten after scoring brisk 54 off just 18 balls, which included one four and six maximums. Hafeez scored a valuable 31 off 19 balls.

For Scotland, leg-spinner Chris Greaves was the pick of the bowlers as he claimed two wickets but gave 43 runs in his four overs.

In reply, the losing team never really got going and only managed to score 117 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 20 overs, falling 72 runs short of the Green Caps total.

Richie Berrington finished the innings with the top score of 54 off 37 balls with the help of four fours and a six.

For the Men-in-Green, leg-spinner Shadab Khan was the pick of the bowlers as he claimed two wickets and just gave away 14 runs in his four overs.