Pakistan have stormed into the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final with a seven-wicket win over New Zealand in the first semi-final at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia.
New Zealand won the toss and batted first, scoring 152-4 in their 20 overs. Their usually fast scorers Finn Allen, Devon Conway and Glenn Philips were all dismissed relatively early, putting the Kiwis on the back foot.
Daryl Mitchell top scored with 53 not out from 35 balls, holding together the innings with captain Kane Williamson who scored a pedestrian 46 before he was bowled by Shaneen Afridi in the 17th over, trying to ramp the keeper.
In reply, Pakistan never really had to get out of second gear, cruising to 153-3 in 19.1 overs, getting off to a belting start with their best powerplay for the tournament, scoring 55-0.
The opening pair of captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper batsman Mohammed Rizwan put on a century stand as they looked back to their elegant best.
Both batters would hold out on the boundary off the bowling of left arm pacer Trent Boult but Pakistan were never in danger as Mohammad Haris picked up where the openers left off, scoring a rapid 30 runs off 26 balls to leave the result a foregone conclusion. Shan Masood nonchalantly knocked the winning runs with a push to mid-on.
Summarised Scores: New Zealand 152 for 4 (Daryl Mitchell 53*, Kane Williamson 46; Shaneen Afridi 2-24). Pakistan 153 for 3 (Mohammed Rizwan 57, Babar Azam 53; Trent Boult 2-33). Pakistan won by seven wickets.