Pakistan crush sloppy N. Zealand
SYDNEY - Half-centuries from openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan and an opening partnership of 105 helped Pakistan to romp to a seven-wicket victory against New Zealand in their T20 World Cup semi-final at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday.
An unbeaten half-century from Daryl Mitchell earlier helped New Zealand post a fighting total of 152 for four after choosing to bat first but Pakistan, who only made the semi-final as a result of South Africa’s shock loss to the Netherlands, galloped to victory with five balls to spare and take their place in the final at the MCG on Sunday.
Pakistan captain Babar endured a miserable tournament until the semifinal but finally came good with 53 from 42 balls (7x4) while Rizwan posted his 23rd T20I half-century with 57 from 43 balls (5x4). Both men were caught in the deep off the bowling of Trent Boult (2-33) but their contributions to victory were emphatic.
Vixtory
Mohammad Haris struck 30 from 26 balls before slicing a full toss from spinner Mitch Santner to deep cover but he, too, made certain of victory by smashing fast bowler Lockie Ferguson for a six and a four in the 19th over to reduce the target to a mere two runs from the final over.
Earlier NZ allrounder Mitchell finished on 53 not out from 35 balls having struck three fours and a six helping the Black Caps recover from 49 for three but it was an excellent, allround bowling display from Pakistan which left the Black Caps 10-15 runs short of a par total.
They lost dangerous opener Finn Allen (4) to the third ball of the innings when giant leftarmer Shaheen Shah Afridi swung a delivery back into the right-hander to trap him lbw and fellow opener Devon Conway was run out for 21 on the last ball of the Power Play at which point New Zealand were 38 for two.
Conway pushed a delivery straight to Shadab Khan at mid-off and set off for a risky single but Shadab’s direct hit caught him short at the bowler’s end. Conway faced 20 deliveries and struck three fours.