Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam yesterday lammed halfcenturies as Pakistan powered past New Zealand by seven wickets and into the T20 World Cup final, moving within one win of a second title.
They are to meet either England or India — who play today in Adelaide — in Sunday’s decider at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Pakistan set the tone at the Sydney Cricket Ground with some razor-sharp fielding and disciplined bowling that restricted New Zealand to just 152-4.
Photo: AFP
In front of 36,443 strongly pro-Pakistan spectators, Rizwan (57) and Azam (53) took apart the Black Caps’ renowned bowling attack in a 105-run opening stand.
Despite a slightly nervy finish after both fell, Mohammad Haris’ 30 off 26 balls helped complete a deserved victory with five balls to spare.
“Obviously, me and Babar decided to go after the new ball and the pitch was difficult,” said Rizwan, who was named player of the match. “When we finished the power play, the discussion was one of the guys to go deep. The guys have worked hard and we have always believed.”
Pakistan last claimed the title in 2009 at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, where they beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets, and it has been a roller-coaster ride in Australia to make another final.
After agonizing last-ball losses to India and Zimbabwe in the group phase, they bounced back to topple the Netherlands and South Africa. Then against the odds they went through when the Proteas were stunned by the Dutch and Pakistan eased past Bangladesh.
New Zealand, who topped Group 1, were aiming to make the final for the second consecutive time, but their hunt for a maiden T20 title again fell short.
Teams batting first had won five from six games played in Sydney this tournament, and when Kane Williamson won the toss he had no hesitation in asking Pakistan to bowl, but it proved to be tough going.
In an eventful opening over, Finn Allen hit Shaheen Afridi for four off the first delivery then was given out the next ball lbw.
It was overturned on review because of an inside edge only for Afridi to promptly do the same again and this time it was plumb.
Conway was run out for 21 by Shadab Khan, who scored a direct hit from mid-off, and they suffered a big blow when Glenn Phillips was caught and bowled by Mohammad Nawaz for 6.
Daryl Mitchell and Williamson began taking more risks after reaching the 10-over mark at 59-3 with the first six coming in the 13th over.
Williamson was undone on 46 by an Afridi yorker after a knock that yielded only two boundaries before Mitchell, unbeaten on 53, and Jimmy Neesham, who scored 16, added 29 runs in the final three overs.
“At the halfway mark, we thought we had a competitive total, but it was disappointing not to make Pakistan work harder,” said Williamson, who saw his side shell a series of catchable chances in a sloppy fielding display.
“It’s a tough pill to swallow,” he said. “I think if we want to be honest, we wanted to be more disciplined with our areas. Like I said, Pakistan deserved to win.”
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