Sydney. Captain Babar Azam (53) and Mohammad Rizwan (57) scored brilliant half-centuries before the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here on Wednesday. In the semi-final, Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 7 wickets. In response to New Zealand’s 152 runs, Pakistan team successfully chased down the target by scoring 153 for 3 in 19.1 overs. Trent Boult took two wickets for the Kiwis. Today it seemed that losing the toss went in favor of Pakistan. In the second innings, the ball came to the bat very well. Rizwan’s innings was amazing, and Babar’s return to form is also a good news for Pakistan.
New Zealand didn’t do very well fielding and bowling today. The fast bowlers consistently missed the length, and nearly three catching opportunities were lost. Today, the Nizam of nature remained in favor of Pakistan. Chasing the target, the Pakistan team made a great start. Their opener Mohammad Rizwan and captain Babar Azam scored 65 runs without losing a wicket in the powerplay with great batting. Both the batsmen continued to bat like this even further and made their first century partnership in the World Cup. After this, Babar completed his fifty in 38 balls. But in the pursuit of chasing the target at a fast pace, in 12.2 overs, Boult was dismissed for 53 runs. Meanwhile, at the other end, Rizwan showed some good shots as he also hit a 36-ball half-century to propel Pakistan closer towards the final. But Rizwan also fell victim to Boult’s 57 off 43 balls with the help of five fours, as Pakistan lost their second wicket for 136 runs in 17 overs. After this, Mohammad Haris showed some good shots, but just two runs away, Haris (30) was dismissed for runs.
Shan Masood hit a winning shot to propel Pakistan into the final as Pakistan chased down the target comfortably at 153 for three in 19.1 overs in reply to New Zealand’s 152. Now Pakistan will face the match winner of India and England in the final. Earlier, a fighting fifty from Daryl Mitchell (53 not out off 35 balls) helped New Zealand post 152 for four against Pakistan in the semi-finals. Apart from Mitchell, skipper Kane Williamson (46 off 42 balls), Devon Conway (21 off 20 balls) made major contributions for New Zealand, who won the toss and elected to bat. On the other hand, Shaheen Afridi was the most successful bowler for Pakistan with his 2/24 and Mohammad Nawaz (1/12) was the second wicket taker.
