Pakistan beat New Zealand by seven wickets in yesterday’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 first semi-final match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). With a dominating performance, Pakistan reached their first T20 World Cup final since 2009.
Bowling first after losing the toss, Pakistan came up with an excellent effort to restrict the Kiwis to 152/4. Shaheen Afridi got his team off to a perfect start, trapping Finn Allen (4) leg before with a full and straight delivery in the first over of the match. Devon Conway hung around for his 21, but fell on the last ball of the powerplay. While looking for a quick single, he was run-out by a direct hit from Shadab Khan.Having lost two early wickets in Sydney, New Zealand were hoping for another big effort from Glenn Phillips. But it wasn’t to be as the in-form batter chipped a simple return catch to Mohammad Nawaz, having made only 6.New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell added 68 runs for the fourth wicket. However, while Mitchell (53* off 35) scored at a swift pace, Williamson (46 off 42) again failed to accelerate. He was eventually cleaned up an Afridi slower ball, completely missing his scoop shot.Despite two big hitters in Mitchell and Jimmy Neesham (16* off 12) at the crease, New Zealand couldn’t find boundaries at the death. The side only managed 29 runs in the last three overs, even though they did not lose a wicket.
Chasing 153, New Zealand needed early scalps. Trent Boult created the opportunity in the first over, forcing a nick out of Babar Azam. However, Conway could not hold on to a tough low catch despite a dive.
It was just the kind of luck the Pakistan skipper needed.Babar (53 off 42) and Mohammad Rizwan (57 off 43) went on to add 105 runs for the opening wicket.
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