Pakistan beat New Zealand to reach T20 world cup final

By Aamir Latif

SYDNEY, Australia ( AA) – A 105-run opening partnership between toned-up Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan propelled Pakistan to reach the final of the Twenty20 world cup final, convincingly beating a formidable New Zealand by 7 wickets in Sydney on Wednesday.

A packed Sydney cricket stadium burst into celebrations, aside from millions back home, as Shan Masood hit the winning stroke – a single – on a straight delivery by Tim Southey, with five balls to spare.

This is for the third record time that the green shirts have reached the final of the T20 world cup since 2007.

Pakistan won the only T20 title in 2009 in England.

The highlight of the match was a stunning comeback by skipper Babar Azam and the wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan who laid a strong foundation to chase a healthy 153 runs target against a daunting New Zealand pace battery.

The duo that struggled through the tournament, provided 105 runs opening partnership in 12.2 overs, making it easier for the top order to finish the task.

They took on the New Zealand bowlers from the very first bowl, putting 55 in the power play. The two scored 60 runs in the next 6.2 overs.

Babar was caught on the mid-on in the 13th over on a breakthrough delivery by Trent Boult, with Rizwan to follow.

The wicket-keeper batsman was dismissed by Tim Southee at 132 in the 17th over.

Babar scored 53 off 42 balls, while Rizwan hit 57 off 43, becoming the first pair that has given three 100 runs opening start in the T20 world cups.

It was Mohammad Haris who made the target easier by hitting a four and a six on two consecutive deliveries in the 18th over.

Haris was caught on the last ball of the 19th over when the green shirts needed 2 runs to win the semi-final clash. He scored a valuable 30-run inning off 25 balls.

The first ball of the 20th over delivered by Southee was declared wide before Masood hit the winning stroke on the next delivery.

Earlier, the New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to field.

The very first delivery by Pakistan's star pacer Shaheen Afridi was hit for a boundary, but from there, it was all Pakistan that dominated the clash.

Pakistani pacers reduced the Kiwis to 49 for 3 before a 68-run stand between Skipper Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell rescued the innings.

The Back Caps, however, still managed to post a healthy target of 153 runs for 4 wickets, following a fine knock by Daryl Mitchell who scored 53 off 35 balls, while Williamson hit 46 off 41.

Rizwan was declared man of the match.

The green shirts will face the winner of the second semi-final between India and England in Adelaide.

If it turns out to be England, then it will keep the green shirts on track to repeat their 1992 performance that earned them the first world cup title under the captaincy of Imran Khan.