WHAM BAM THANK YOU SHAN

PAKISTAN cruised into the T20 final with a thumping seven-wicket win over New Zealand in Sydney, writes Dean Wilson.

Shan Masood (inset) hit the winning runs with five balls to spare, but it was their opening duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan who did the damage with a partnership of 105.

Shaheen Shah Afridi was again outstanding with the ball to claim 2-24. Kane Williamson scored 46 from 42 balls before Daryl Mitchell injected a little more energy with 53 from 35.

Their total of 152-4 was never going to be enough once Rizwan and Azam got going.

“The team has performed so well in the last three matches,” said skipper Babar. “We will enjoy this moment but at the same time we have got to focus on the final.”