Pakistan cricket team defeats New Zealand to reach T-20 World Cup final
SYDNEY/ISLAMABAD/LONDON/
Paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi led the way with 2-24 as the Black Caps were restricted to 152-4 before openers Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam finally found their scoring touch with half centuries in a 105-run stand to lay the foundation for victory.
Pakistan scraped into the last four only after the Netherlands had upset South Africa last Sunday but will now play India or England, who face off in the second semi-final in Adelaide today (Thursday), in Sunday s title decider in Melbourne.
“It means a lot (to reach the final),” said Pakistan captain Babar. “We did not start the tournament well but after South Africa lost we took our opportunity and we are playing our best cricket and in the final.”
Riding the momentum of their great escape from the group stage, the 2009 champions lost the toss but still looked charged with confidence from the moment Afridi took the ball for the opening over.
New Zealand s powerplay maestro Finn Allen cracked a four off the first delivery but had to be rescued from an LBW decision by DRS on the second before departing trapped in front on the third.
Devon Conway was run out by a direct hit from Shadab Khan for 21 on the final ball of the powerplay to leave New Zealand on 38-2 and another dangerman Glenn Phillips was meekly caught and bowled by spinner Mohammad Nawaz for six soon afterwards.
Skipper Kane Williamson steadied the ship with Daryl Mitchell but departed for 46 when he attempted to paddle a slower Afridi delivery which rattled into his unguarded stumps.
Mitchell, New Zealand s batting hero on their run to last year s final in Abu Dhabi, continued to an unbeaten 53 but his 35-ball innings featured only four boundaries as tight bowling and athletic fielding kept him shackled.
Babar and Rizwan had failed to deliver on their considerable reputations in the group stage but made up for it in some style with a blockbuster opening partnership.
The captain enjoyed a stroke of luck when he was dropped by wicketkeeper Conway off his first ball from Trent Boult but hammered 53 runs off the next 41 deliveries he faced before holing out in the deep.
Mon of the match Rizwan reached the half century mark soon afterwards before also holing out for 57 but Mohammad Haris kept up the pace with a bright 30 and Shan Masood got them over the line at 153-3 with five balls to spare.
“Credit to Pakistan, they were too good today,” said Williamson. “At the halfway stage we felt we had something to defend there (but) Pakistan were outstanding with the bat and they ran that down with ease. We certainly wanted to make them work harder for those runs.”
As Babar Azam and Co sneaked into the T20 World Cup semi-final, Pakistan fans started likening the team’s run Imran Khan and his team had during the 1992 World Cup.
And it seems the dream is alive as Pakistan thrashed New Zealand to secure a place in the final just like they did during the 1992 World Cup’s semi-final. The win means Pakistan will be playing their third T20 World Cup final since the tournament started in 2007.
The Black Caps had set a 153-run target for Pakistan which the Men in Green chased down with ease.
Before this game, everyone had questions about the opening pair of the team and it seems the 105-run partnership between skipper Babar Azam and wicket-keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan should end the debate.
It was in the 12th over that New Zealand dismissed Babar for 53 to end the partnership. At that point, Pakistan required 47 from 43 balls.
But by then, the Men In Green had already gained much ground. Rizwan and Mohammad Haris kept the scoreboard ticking until the wicket-keeper-batter was dismissed via run out at 57.
Haris was caught at short fine leg on the last ball of the 19th over. Right in the next over, Pakistan won the match by seven wickets.
The Men In Green will now face either England or India — who will face off tomorrow.
Earlier, Daryl Mitchell’s half-century helped New Zealand set a 153-run target after New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson opted to bat first.
Pakistan were off to a flying start when they confined New Zealand at 49/3 at the end of the eight overs.
But a 68-run partnership between Kane Williamson and Mitchell brought New Zealand back into the game.
The partnership was looking threatening for Pakistan and had it continued New Zealand may have needed a higher total. However, Shaheen dismissed Williamson in the 17th over to stop New Zealand’s charge.
However, Mitchell along with James Neesham helped the Black Caps end the innings at 152/4.
For New Zealand, Mitchell was the highest scorer and remained unbeaten for 53.
Playing XI
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway (wk), Finn Allen, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.
Meanwhile President Dr. Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, former prime minister Imran Khan, DG ISPR Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif and other leaders of all political parties on Wednesday congratulated the Pakistan cricket team for a comprehensive 7-wicket victory against New Zealand in T20 World Cup semifinal.
In a tweet the President Dr. Alvi said, “Well played Pakistan. Excellent performances by @iShaheenAfridi @babarazam258 @iMRizwanPak & our upcoming @iamharis63 Green shirts you make us proud. On to the finals. Our best wishes with you, Inshallah you will win.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also felicitated the Pakistan cricket team on making it to the final with an incredible come back. In a tweet on Wednesday, he said the victory is testimony of passion, commitment and discipline. He said well done Team Pakistan for an incredible come back.
Meanwhile talking to media persons in London, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the Pakistani cricket team and whole Pakistani nation on winning semi final of T-20 World Cup against New Zealand. PM Shehbaz Sharif said that with the blessings of Almighty Allah, Pakistan will also win the final of the T-20 World Cup.
Director General ISPR Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar has also congratulated the Pakistan cricket team for a stellar performance against New Zealand in the semi-final. He wished the team good luck for final.
Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan in a twitter post said congratulations to Babar Azam and the team for a great win.
DG ISPR Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar in his statement issued on twitter said that “Congratulations Team Pakistan for a stellar performance and winning #SemiFinalT20WC. Good luck for the Final. Pakistan Zindabad!”.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif in her statement on twitter said that well done Champs! Pakistan Zindabad.
Meanwhile Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan has extended heartiest congratulations to team Pakistan, and best wishes for the #T20WorldCup2022 final match.
Former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed in a statement issued on twitter said “Congratulations to whole nation on winning T20 semi final match”.