Pakistan had the dream start while chasing the target of 153 when they locked horns with New Zealand in the semi-final of T20 World Cup 2022, at the SCG in Sydney on Wednesday [November 9]. Their dangerous opening duo-Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan showed the intent from the very start and played aggressively.
In contrast to the Kiwis’ sluggish innings, the duo played sensibly and effortlessly against Boult and Tim Southee. The first ball of their chase off Trent Boult had gone for a four off Rizwan.
Soon they crossed the 50-run mark within the powerplay. Their bats had remained silent in the Super 12s but screamed on the day it mattered the most. Surprisingly, Babar had scored just 39 runs in the five Super 12s matches; his bat talked in the semi-final.
They crossed the 100-run mark (their ninth century partnership in T20I) in just 11.4 overs. They became the first pair to stitch 100-run stand in three World Cups.
But before that, Babar reached his 30th T20I half-century off 38 balls; however soon Boult showed him a way back to the hut on the fourth ball of 13th over. Boult delivered on length nad Azam attempted to smash it through the line as he looked to go straight down but only got an elevation. Daryl Mitchell at long-on would not miss the catch.
But it was too late for the Kiwi bowlers; Pakistan needed just 48 runs off 44 balls following Babar’s dismissal. On the fourth ball of the 14th over, Rizwan also completed his half-century off 36 balls. It was his 23rd T20I half-century.
Pakistan needed just 21 runs from 18 balls when Rizwan gave away his wicket on the last ball of the 18th over bowled by Boult. When Men in Green needed just two runs off seven balls, Mohammad Harris gave away an easy catch to Mitchell Santner. But soon, they became the first finalist of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup by beating the Kiwis by seven wickets.
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