T20 World Cup 2022: Pakistan storm into final after Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan decimate New Zealand in Sydney

From looking dead and buried at the halfway mark of the tournament to booking a final berth, Pakistan have well and truly lived up to their reputation of being one of the most unpredictable sides in sport.

Babar Azam and his men are one step away from repeating the heroics of 1992’s ‘Cornered Tigers’ as they sealed a spot in the November 13 final with a clinical performance in the first semi-final against New Zealand on Wednesday in Sydney.From looking dead and buried at the halfway mark of the tournament to booking a final berth, Pakistan have well and truly lived up to their reputation of being one of the most unpredictable sides in sport.

Babar Azam and his men are one step away from repeating the heroics of 1992’s ‘Cornered Tigers’ as they sealed a spot in the November 13 final with a clinical performance in the first semi-final against New Zealand on Wednesday in Sydney.

Pakistan successfully chased down a target of 153, going past the finish line with 7 wickets and 05 balls to spare. Captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan hit match-winning fifties after Shaheen Afridi’s miserly effort with the ball helped Pakistan restrict 152 for 4 in 20 overs in Sydney.

Pakistan played like a team possessed as they were cheered on at the Sydney Cricket Ground, which was packed to the rafters. Shaheen Afridi set the tone with the ball, Shadab Khan led their impressive fielding show and their batting mainstays, captain Babar Azam and fellow opener Mohammad Rizwan, proved naysayers wrong by coming to the party on the big day.

New Zealand, led by one of the most composed captains in Kane Williamson, were comprehensively outplayed as the BlackCaps were denied a second successive T20 World Cup final berth. Pakistan rose from the ashes to knock out one of the most consistent sides in ICC events in what turned out to be a one-sided semi-final in Sydney.

It was also Pakistan’s 3rd T20 World Cup final after their heartbreak in 2007 and their victorious outing in 2009. Pakistan also maintained their perfect record against New Zealand in World Cup semi-finals, taking the tally to 4-0.

PAKISTAN CLINICAL AFTER EMOTIONAL HIGH
Pakistan’s dressing room morale was charged up ever since they got out of jail and made full use of the unexpected lifeline that came their way to reach the semi-final.

When their mentor Matthew Hayden came out to address the press on the eve of the semi-final, it was evident that emotions were running high in their camp.

“No one would want to face Pakistan now,” Hayden had said, sending a warning notice to the rest of the teams in the semi-final stage of the competition.

Pakistan could have easily been carried away by what had happened on the final matchday of the Super 12 stage as South Arica’s shock defeat to the Netherlands brought them back into contention. However, Babar and his men were switched on from the word go even after Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to bat on a dry pitch in Sydney.

Teams batting first had won 5 out of 6 matches in Sydney in T20 World Cup 2022 before Wednesday but New Zealand failed to make use of the advantage, failing to push on in the death overs and letting Rizwan and Babar go on the offensive in the powerplay in a chase of 153.