By Admin 
Pakistan’s Do Or Die Match Against Namibia: Pakistan’s campaign in the T20 World Cup has reached a critical juncture after the crushing defeat against its arch-rival India. Now today’s match against Namibia has become like do or die for them. At one time, Pakistan looked to be in a good position to make it to the Super Eights, but the defeat to India has badly shaken them, due to which they are facing a do or die situation in their last match of Group A. In the World Cup, only the top two teams from each group will reach the Super Eight. Pakistan is currently ranked third in the table after India and America. India has qualified for the Super Eights with three wins from three matches, while America is in second place with four points and better run rate.
Match against Namibia is do or die for Pakistan
Defeat to Namibia seems impossible on paper, but considering Pakistan’s unstable batting, it cannot be completely ruled out. With a defeat in this match, Pakistan will be out of the tournament and America will be in a good position to make it to the Super Eight. However, the team that Pakistan will face has lost all its three matches and is at the bottom position in the group. In such a situation, all the focus will be on Pakistan’s batting, which includes Babar Azam, opener Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Aga. The weakness in Pakistan’s batting against India was exposed.
Pakistani batsmen looked helpless in front of Indian bowlers.
The pair of Indian fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya reduced Pakistan’s score to 13 runs for three wickets. Pakistan’s middle order did not show any resistance and this is a worrying sign even against a team like Namibia. Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi was also seen struggling and he took one wicket after giving away 31 runs in his two overs. The only positive aspect was from Saim Ayub, who troubled India’s top order by taking three wickets. Against Namibia, Afridi will have to take wickets early because dismissing key batsmen in the first six overs will give Pakistan a chance to dominate the match.
Powerplay weaknesses a matter of concern for Pakistan
The weaknesses of Pakistan’s power play also remain a matter of concern. In the last match, his team lost four wickets in the powerplay. Frequent changes in their middle order have further complicated the situation, reducing the chances of scoring quick runs in the lower order. Namibia has talented bowlers, due to which it may prove costly for Pakistan to struggle in the middle overs. The Namibian team is out of the tournament after three defeats, but they will be determined to win and bid farewell to the tournament with honour. If his team restricts Pakistan to a low score then the outcome of the match can change.
Namibia has hope from Gerhard Erasmus and JJ Smit
Under the leadership of experienced all-rounder and captain Gerhard Erasmus, who impressed by taking four wickets against India, and left-arm fast bowler JJ Smit, who is a constant cause of trouble for the batsmen, Namibia has the ability to cause an upset. Opener Lauren Steenkamp has performed well in previous matches, while Jan Nicola Frylink and Jan Nicol Lofty-Eaton have provided much-needed stability to Namibia’s top order.
The teams are as follows:
Namibia: Gerhard Erasmus (captain), Jan Balt, Jacques Brassel, Alexander Busing-Wolschenk, Jan Frylinck, Zane Green (wk), Max Heingo, Malen Kruger, Dylan Leichter, Jan Nicol Lofty-Eaton, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz, JJ Smit, Lauren Steenkamp, Ruben Trumpelman.
Pakistan: Salman Aga (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafe, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.
The match will start at 3:00 pm.