Pakistan thrash New Zealand to reach T20 World Cup final

Agencies |Islamabad

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Pakistan won Wednesday's semi-final match, the first one in the T20 World Cup tournament, against New Zealand. New Zealand had won the toss and elected to bat first, putting up a score of 152/4 against Pakistan.

The next semi-final, which will take place tomorrow, Thursday, November 10, in Adelaide, will see India and England pitted against each other.

Pakistan scraped into the last four only after the Netherlands had upset South Africa last Sunday but will now play India or England, who face off in the second semifinal in Adelaide on Thursday, in Sunday's title decider in Melbourne.

"It means a lot (to reach the final)," said Pakistan captain Babar.

"We did not start the tournament well but after South Africa lost we took our opportunity and we are playing our best cricket and in the final."

Riding the momentum of their great escape from the group stage, the 2009 champions lost the toss but still looked charged with confidence from the moment Afridi took the ball for the opening over.

New Zealand's powerplay maestro Finn Allen cracked a four off the first delivery but had to be rescued from an lbw decision by DRS on the second before departing trapped in front on the third.

Devon Conway was run out by a direct hit from Shadab Khan for 21 on the final ball of the powerplay to leave New Zealand on 38-2 and another dangerman Glenn Phillips was meekly caught and bowled by spinner Mohammad Nawaz for six soon afterwards.

Skipper Kane Williamson steadied the ship with Daryl Mitchell but departed for 46 when he attempted to paddle a slower Afridi delivery which rattled into his unguarded stumps.

Mitchell, New Zealand's batting hero on their run to last year's final in Abu Dhabi, continued to an unbeaten 53 but his 35-ball innings featured only four boundaries as tight bowling and athletic fielding kept him shackled.

Babar and Rizwan had failed to deliver on their considerable reputations in the group stage but made up for it in some style with a blockbuster opening partnership.

The captain enjoyed a stroke of luck when he was dropped by wicketkeeper Conway off his first ball from Trent Boult but hammered 53 runs off the next 41 deliveries he faced before holing out in the deep.

Mon of the match Rizwan reached the half century mark soon afterwards before also holing out for 57 but Mohammad Haris kept up the pace with a bright 30 and Shan Masood got them over the line at 153-3 with five balls to spare.

"Credit to Pakistan, they were too good today," said Williamson.

"At the halfway stage we felt we had something to defend there (but) Pakistan were outstanding with the bat and they ran that down with ease. We certainly wanted to make them work harder for those runs."