T20 World Cup: Clinical Pakistan thrash New Zealand to keep dream of ’92 alive

• Babar and Rizwan smash 105-run partnership.
• Pakistan make it to third T20 World Cup final.
• Green Shirts to either face India or England.

As Babar Azam and Co sneaked into the T20 World Cup semi-final, Pakistan fans started likening the team’s run Imran Khan and his team had during the 1992 World Cup.

And it seems the dream is alive as Pakistan thrashed New Zealand to secure a place in the final just like they did during the 1992 World Cup’s semi-final. The win means Pakistan will be playing their third T20 World Cup final since the tournament started in 2007.

The Black Caps had set a 153-run target for Pakistan which the Men in Green chased down with ease.

Before this game, everyone had questions about the opening pair of the team and it seems the 105-run partnership between skipper Babar Azam and wicket-keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan should end the debate.

It was in the 12th over that New Zealand dismissed Babar for 53 to end the partnership. At that point, Pakistan required 47 from 43 balls. 

But by then, the Men In Green had already gained much ground. Rizwan and Mohammad Haris kept the scoreboard ticking until the wicket-keeper-batter was dismissed via run out at 57. 

Haris was caught at short fine leg on the last ball of the 19th over. Right in the next over, Pakistan won the match by seven wickets.

The Men In Green will now face either England or India — who will face off tomorrow.

Earlier, Daryl Mitchell’s half-century helped New Zealand set a 153-run target after New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson opted to bat first.

Pakistan were off to a flying start when they confined New Zealand at 49/3 at the end of the eight overs.

But a 68-run partnership between Kane Williamson and Mitchell brought New Zealand back into the game.

The partnership was looking threatening for Pakistan and had it continued New Zealand may have needed a higher total. However, Shaheen dismissed Williamson in the 17th over to stop New Zealand’s charge.

However, Mitchell along with James Neesham helped the Black Caps end the innings at 152/4.

For New Zealand, Mitchell was the highest scorer and remained unbeaten for 53.

Playing XI

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Devon Conway (wk), Finn Allen, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner,  Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.