Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign looked dead and buried just three days ago but they are now one win away from lifting the trophy after vanquishing New Zealand in a seven-wicket stunner at the SCG on Wednesday night.
They are the first team through to Sunday’s final at the MCG where they will take on bitter rivals India or England after they lock horns on Thursday night at Adelaide Oval.
If Pakistan play England in the final it will be a similar scenario to the one-day World Cup final at the same venue 30 years ago when Imran Khan’s team scraped into the semis, eliminated the Black Caps before winning the tournament when all seemed lost.
Pakistan are chasing their second T20 World Cup win after claiming victory in 2008.
CLICK HERE for a seven-day free trial to watch cricket on KAYO
Their bowlers set up the SCG triumph by restricting the Kiwis to 4-152 and then opening duo Babar Azam and Muhammed Rizwan posted a 105-run partnership to lay the platform for Pakistan to negotiate their way to the target with five balls and seven wickets to spare.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Babar was dropped first ball by keeper Devin Conway off a difficult chance from the bowling of Trent Boult and the struggling Pakistani skipper cashed in on his good fortunre to race away to 53 off 42, his first half-century of the tournament.
It wouldn’t be Pakistan without a few late heart flutters – Rizwan was run out for 57 off 43 at the end of the 17th over after a mid-wicket mix-up with Mohammad Haris following an outfield catch by Glenn Phillips off a waist-high no-ball.
Haris didn’t go into his shell though, smashing Lochie Ferguson for a superb cover drive to the boundary in the next over and then lofting him 30 rows back into the SCG stands with a crushing pull shot.
He surrendered his wicket after bashing 30 off 26 while trying to hit the winning blow with two runs left on the target.
New Zealand kicked off the Super 12 stage on the same ground three weeks ago with a glorious win over Australia but after topping their group, “they have saved their worst till last,” according to former Kiwi keeper Ian Smith on commentary.
A counter-attacking Daryl Mitchell half-century saved New Zealand’s blushes earlier in the evening.
After the Black Caps slumped to 3-59 at the halfway mark, Mitchell hit an unbeaten 53 off 35 balls in a 68-run fourth-wicket stand with Kane Williamson.
It was Mitchell in particular who lifted the tempo, helping take 14 runs off the 11th over from Shadab Khan to give New Zealand back some momentum.
He also hit a big six down the ground off the spinner later in the innings, with the leggie proving Pakistan’s most expensive bowler at the SCG.
Any hopes New Zealand had of setting an imposing target batting first were quickly scuppered by an on-song pace attack led by Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Shaheen (2-24) put Pakistan on top from the opening over when he trapped the dangerous Finn Allen lbw for four, a ball after having an appeal overturned on review.
The left-armer also bowled Williamson for 46 with an off-pace ball when the New Zealand captain tried to ramp him, slowing the Black Caps’ momentum late.
Clear as mud
Guest
Gertrudes? Why?
Agree. I think the current group of softie Australian players, bar a couple should be known as the 'Gertrudes'. Matty Haydos would absolutely rips these guys nuts off. He hated to lose with passion. Great guy, and great player - and that is coming from a NZ born fella in me. Love the way he played his Cricket.
India are even worse than NZ. That semi final shellacking was the Mother of all hidings by England.
Stuckbetweenindopak
Roar Rookie
:happy:
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
England? I'm happy to watch England get pummelled in every final they ever play but let's not get to that and India win by the size of their population
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
But hey it's a nice idea. Let's just let it float for a few days before flushing it
Republican
Guest
NZ always look good against Australia. We are their obsession & they lift accordingly. Australia always underestimate NZ. I predict the Rugby League semi will again expose this competitive anomaly.
Stuckbetweenindopak
Roar Rookie
Real uncanny matches Written off in the first half Coming back on the back of other teams Lift themselves when it matters Get past new zealand in semis while chasing, after losing the toss at Sydney Will england be the other finalist at Melbourne and pakistan can win again?
Sedz
Guest
India always found it tough against NZ in WC matches than any other team. Luckily India had an escape route. But it's England vs. India face-off. And I hope it's a ripper of a match. I predicted India to be eliminated in Semifinals and Pakistan in the Knockout stages. I also predicted ENG to be the final winner. Let my prediction be totally wrong :-)
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Boland to hit a ton then bowl QLD out for 80 :stoked:
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Change of subject. Victoria 8-47 at AB Field after winning the toss. Just letting people know as coverage of the Shield has returned to its previous status of irrelevance on this site.
Censored Often
Roar Rookie
He quit without seeing out his contract.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
It's not the coaches fault, it's Murdoch's, apparently...
MKUltra
Roar Rookie
Australia made NZ look very good in their opening game, perhaps a little too good...in every other match they played NZ didn't look nearly as good as they had against Australia.
ColinT
Roar Rookie
Correct Rellum. Hayden is a passionate and intense personality and a strong, demanding and uncompromising coach who hates to lose. Similar qualities that led to the player revolt against Langer. There is no way the current Australian team would accept Hayden or anyone else of a similar disposition as their coach.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Great effort by Pakistan :thumbup: NZ just not good enough, India vs Pakistan final should be a ripper :boxing:
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Congrats Pakistan, I had picked NZ to win the whole thing but they were a long way off it last night. I think a lot of the credit has to go to just how well Pakistan played, their bowlers in particular were simply outstanding.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
They had a pretty good coach in 2021, where was he this time round?
Rellum
Roar Guru
I can't see Haydos gelling with the current te
Realist
Roar Rookie
Could be a big pay day coming for the Pakistani Cricket Team. What odds were they at the start of the Tournament?