Pakistan’s miraculous charge to the T20 World Cup final is alive after restricting New Zealand to 4-152 from their 20 overs in the semi-final at the SCG.
After winning the toss and batting, New Zealand failed to get going with Pakistan quick Shaheen Shah Afridi leading from the front for Pakistan with 2-24 from his four overs.
The Black Caps’ top scorer was Daryl Mitchell, who made an unbeaten 53 in 35, but his teammates struggled to score more than a run ball on a slow wicket.
Follow all the action on our live blog below!
It’s T20 World Cup time and you can watch all the matches live and ad-free on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
MATCH CENTER: New Zealand vs Pakistan Live Score, Stats
Kane Williamson made 46 off 42 balls and Devon Conway contributed 21 off 20. Conway said after the innings that the Kiwi total is likely to be below par.
Pakistan have played three World Cup semi-finals against New Zealand while chasing and have won each time.
“In the semi-finals, New Zealand’s kryptonite is Pakistan,” Bazid Khan said in a commentary during the first innings.
Pakistan lost their first two matches of the tournament, but after three wins and the Netherlands’ surprise win over South Africa, their fairytale comeback lives on.
In reply, Pakistan are 0-7 after a goal.
New Zealand could live to rue a costly fall in the first over when Conway dropped a chance to have Babar Azam off the first ball.
FIRST ENTRY
The first over of Afridi’s first innings was dramatic. After being crunched for four off his first ball, the next two balls saw the finger rise from umpire Marais Erasmus.
The first turned out to be a shocking lbw call. It took Erasmus forever to sack Finn Allen and when he finally did, a hasty review revealed a huge inside lead.
But the next ball was almost a carbon copy – the only thing missing this time was the inside edge, and Afridi had his man inside first over.
Allen’s opening partner Conway made 21 off 20 balls before he was brilliantly removed by Shadab Khan at the end of the sixth over.
Simon Doull was not impressed with Conway’s lack of immersion.
“If you want to keep your port, you should dive,” he said. “You’ll see Glenn Phillips diving, I’m sure there’s some chance he’ll be out. If Conway dives, I think he’s on. He’s only six or eight inches out.
“If you really put a price on your wicket, the dive has to be part of the game and every batsman has to produce it.”
That brought Glenn Phillips to the crease but it didn’t last long as he hit back Mohammad Nawaz for six off eight.
Williamson raced towards the Kiwis with 46 off 42 but was unable to accelerate at the back as he was fooled by a slower ball from Afridi. Williamson walked on his stumps and went for a return sweep, but Afridi picked up the pace and knocked him down leg.
Mitchell and James Neesham (16 off 12) finished the innings for the Kiwis, struggling to provide a flurry of boundaries at the end.
HOW TO LOOK
It’s T20 World Cup time and you can watch all the matches live and ad-free on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
TEAMS
New Zealand XI: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham. Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult
Pakistan XI: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi
LIVE BLOG
Click here if you can’t see the blog below!
PREVIEW
Pakistan’s best is yet to come and struggling skipper Babar Azam must be “something very special” in the T20 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand on Wednesday (7pm AEDT), the mentor has warned team Matthew Hayden.
The 2009 champions only progressed to the knockouts when the Netherlands unexpectedly defeated South Africa and Pakistan then beat Bangladesh to secure their second successive place in the last four.
Former Australia opener Hayden, who was Pakistan’s batting coach at the last World Cup and was named the team’s mentor for this edition, said he planned to make the most of his second chance.
Follow all the action on our live blog below!
DEBUT POINTS: Forgotten giant where we can’t sleep; how the epic World Cup final could mock the IPL
AUSSIE FALLOUT: How the World Cup disaster showed the Aussies were missing everything they got away with
‘MORE EXPOSURE’: Australian selectors name shock booster as Lyon succession plan emerges
“When the Netherlands beat South Africa it was a significant moment for us, a very significant moment for the team as a whole to reach their potential,” he said on the eve of the semi-final in Sydney.
“A lot of prayers when Pakistan woke up to this result, 232 million people can’t be wrong, and as a result of that I think there’s been a huge uptick in pace in our group.
“It’s been a rollercoaster … but I really think we’ve still got to play our best game, which is a big threat to oppositions.”
While Pakistan’s bowling, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, has been improving, their batting has been fragile, a concern against a top-class New Zealand attack led by Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson.
Azam’s form in particular remains a concern as the opener managed just 39 runs in five matches.
Williamson is interested in the challenge of Pakistan | 02:43
Hayden, himself a destructive opener who played 103 Tests and 161 ODIs, said the skipper had some “fireworks” and predicted they could come on Wednesday.
“There is no doubt that Babar has faced some adversity, but that will only make him an even greater player,” he said.
“Over time we know that when there’s a calm, there’s often a storm, so go to the rest of the world because I think we’re about to see something very special from Babar.” New Zealand have long been a force in white-ball cricket but have failed to convert that into world titles, including falling at the final hurdle to Australia in 2021.
– Play Smart –
They began their World Cup campaign this year with a massive 89-run win against the defending champions, also in Sydney, and Hayden said Pakistan were wary of the Black Caps.
“They got 200 on that particular wicket against Australia… New Zealand have some really destructive players and they can put pressure on you with the bat,” he said.
“They also have a fantastic and well-balanced bowling attack.
“Like New Zealand sport in general, they really punch above their weight, they believe they can win this tournament and they have the potential to do it.
“So many threats to our camp, no doubt.”
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson downplayed any significance in his side making 200-3 on the Sydney pitch, pointing out that they managed just 167-7 against Sri Lanka when they returned to the pitch later in the tournament.
Babar Azam owes “something very special”, says Matthew Hayden. Source: Getty Images
“The first game we played here, the wicket was really good and then the second time it changed,” he said.
“We’ll just look to really focus on our cricket and the plans we want to execute and make sure we adapt to the conditions and try to play smart.”
New Zealand followed up Sydney’s opening win with a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka, with a game against Afghanistan in between. They lost by 20 runs to England before beating Ireland to secure a place in the semi-finals.
Williamson said results counted for little when it came to knockouts. “The ultimate sport can go either way,” he said. “The two teams match up quite well, there are similar tendencies, we both played good cricket.
“They have an exceptional pace of attack,” he added. “Some very experienced players throughout their team, match winners, a real strength in their team.”