Our goal? Win T20 World Cup, says Shadab Khan as Pakistan qualify for Super Eights
All-rounder Shadab Khan addresses a post-match conference following Pakistan’s win over Namibia in the T20 World Cup at Colombo. SCREENGRAB
All-rounder Shadab Khan said Pakistan believed they could go on and win the T20 World Cup after their best performance of the tournament secured the last Super Eights berth on Wednesday.
Pakistan bowled out Namibia for 97 to win by a colossal 102 runs in Colombo and bounce back in style after a defeat to arch-rivals India had left them in danger of elimination.
Pakistan rode on an undefeated maiden T20 international century by opener Sahibzada Farhan to post 199-3.
The eight teams have checked in for the #T20WorldCup Super 8 stage ✅
‘Created with Nano Banana on Google Gemini’ pic.twitter.com/RMKjzFBikPSpinners Usman Tariq and Shadab Khan then shared seven wickets to rout Namibia in 17.3 overs.
"We didn't take this game lightly after so much talk about one match against India," said Shadab, who scored a brisk 22-ball 36 and grabbed 3-19.
"We are on the right track to achieve the goal of winning the World Cup and we are following a process," he added.
Shadab warned that the Super Eights, which Pakistan will begin with a match against New Zealand in Colombo on Saturday before facing England and co-hosts Sri Lanka next week, will be a step up.
"There are eight good teams so it will be a tough stage and all matches will be high-pressure games," said Shadab.
Pakistan seal the final #T20WorldCup Super 8 spot with a solid victory over Namibia 👊
📝: https://t.co/ig0UhhTcFP pic.twitter.com/XnqUAqOTvKNamibia captain Gerhard Erasmus admitted there were lessons to be learned as they head home after losing all four of their group matches.
"I think for us, it's always about nailing those specialist positions," said Erasmus.
"It has been a great learning experience and will help us in future."
Erasmus said Namibia were now looking forward to the ODI World Cup next year, which they will co-host with South Africa and Zimbabwe.
"There is a lot of cricket around and lots of really exciting things happening in and around cricket in Namibia, which gives the boys a lot of pleasing things to play for."