Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan found their form when it mattered most as Pakistan reached the final of the T20 World Cup for the third time, crushing New Zealand by 7 wickets in the first semi final
at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Wednesday, reports BSS.
Both of the openers who endured a patchy form in the group stage of the event, scored half-century in the knock out stage after Pakistan bowlers bowled in disciplined way to restrict New Zealand to 152-4.
It was believed the Pakistan batters would also find it tough to rotate scoreboard on slow pitch but the pitch looked better in the second innings. That however didn`t take the gloss off the beautiful batting display by Babar and his opening partner Rizwan.
Babar hit 42 ball-53 while Rizwan struck 57 off 43 as Pakistan reached the winning target of 153, losing three wickets and with five balls to spare. Earlier Pakistan reached final twice in 2007 and 2009. In the inaugural edition in 2007, they lost the trophy to archrivals India but won the coveted silverware in 2009.
The victory however kept Pakistan`s record of not losing to New Zealand in the knock out match of ICC tournament intact.
-20241226113340.jpg)
-20241223064225.jpeg)
-20241224073438.jpg)
-20241219100909.jpg)