SYDNEY – Pakistani opener batters turn out to be surprise heroes with explosive half-centuries as Men in Green thrashed New Zealand in the T20 World Cup semi-finals.
Babar-led squad thrashed Kiwis to secure a place in the final as they did in the 1992 World Cup’s semi-final and now Green Shirts eyeing to lift the World Cup trophy.
Fans witnessed the best of batting as Babar Azam (53) and Muhammad Rizwan (57) slammed 105 runs partnership.
WHAT A WIN, PAKISTAN! 🤯
Pakistan have reached their third Men's #T20WorldCup final 👏#NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/dumaIcWVeZ
— ICC (@ICC) November 9, 2022
Team Greem completed the target in 19.1 overs, courtesy of century opening partnership between openers.
Earlier, Daryl Mitchell and skipper Williamson survived bowling attack despite early blows as Pakistan restricted Kiwis to 152/4 in the first semi-final.
Mitchell slammed half-century while Williamson played a superb knock of 46 as the duo stitched 68-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Meanwhile, Pakistani bowling side kept the New Zealand batters on their toes as top pacer Shaheen Afridi dismissed in-form Finn Allen cheaply on the third ball.
Opener Devon Conway then continue the game with skipper with a 34-run partnership and took the scoreboard to 38/1 before falling prey to Shadab on the last delivery of the powerplay.
Another Kiwi player was dismissed by left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz. New Zealand skipper was then clean-bowled by Afridi while trying to play a scoop. He walks back for 46 off 42.
Pakistan remain in control!
New Zealand are 59/3 at the halfway mark 👀#T20WorldCup | #NZvPAK | 📝: https://t.co/LSzHXLy12f pic.twitter.com/xsQKNal4aY
— ICC (@ICC) November 9, 2022
New Zealand earlier won the toss and decided to bat first against Pakistan in the first semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022.
Recently, Pakistan beat Black Caps in New Zealand to win the T20 tri-series title. So, now, Green Shirts would be eyeing a win riding on the momentum it has gathered over the last couple of matches in the Super 12 stage, especially South Africa and Bangladesh.
Earlier, both teams faced each other three times in the semifinals of World Cups (ODIs and T20) in 1992, 1999 and 2007, and all the matches were won by team Pakistan.
Semifinal 2: Thursday, India v England, Adelaide Oval, 1:00 PM PST
Final: Sunday, November 13, MCG, 1:00 PM PST
