1st Semi-Final, Sydney, November 09, 2022, 01:30 PM
New Zealand
152/4(20.0ov)
Pakistan
153/3(19.1ov)
Pakistan beat New Zealand by 7 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Mohammad Rizwan
Commentry
Pakistan have reached the finals. They now wait to find out who will play them in the finals. It is now time for another big game. India will take on England in the second semi-final. Do join us on 10th November at 1.30 pm (8 am GMT) and early on for the build up. From here, it is goodbye and cheers.
Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan says the team played really well and he thanks the crowd for the support they have given them. Adds they had a good start with the ball, the ball was not coming onto the bat and then later on Shadab and Nawaz continued the good work and they managed to finish well too and were pleased with 150. Informs they had a plan to go hard in the Powerplay and they wanted to make most of the first 6 overs. Credits the way Haris has played and says he is an aggressive player. Ends by saying they will enjoy this win but are focused on the finals and they are looking forward to it.
Kane Williamson, the skipper of New Zealand says they were put under pressure but they managed to get back the momentum. States they were outplayed but they are disappointed they did not make Pakistan work hard for their runs. Admits their fielding was not that great, Azam and Rizwan put them under pressure, they could have been more disciplined but Pakistan are deserved winners. Ends by saying there has been a lot of good cricket, they have played pretty well but they were not at their best but that is the nature of T20 cricket.
Mohammad Rizwan is the Player of the Match. He says the conditions was tough for them but they have worked hard and believed in them and he is pleased they came good. Adds they wanted to attack, 150 was a good total but they wanted to make most of the Powerplay and then wanted to bat deep. States they just wanted to work hard and they would get the rewards.
....Presentation coming up...
New Zealand were not up for this! It was a tame performance from them, they were probably 10 to 12 runs short with the bat and then with the ball, their new ball bowlers just did not begin well. Boult especially as he leaked far too many runs in the Powerplay. The Kiwis were also quite uncharacteristic in the field as there were a few misfields and also a couple of dropped catches. They just succumbed under the pressure at the big stage and were beaten by a side which was well and truly better on the day.
This has to be considered as a combined team effort. Their bowlers did brilliantly first up to keep the New Zealand side to around 150. Shaheen was the star but he was supported by all the bowlers and then it was their main two who finally came to the fore in this tournament. Pakistan's best two, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan lit up Sydney when it mattered the most. The two added over 100 with both scoring half tons. That stand more or less killed the game. The job for the others who came in was quite easy and they did not disappoint.
From losing their first two games to storming into the finals! Pakistan's journey this campaign has been unbelievable, this World Cup has been unbelievable. Pakistan had lost to Zimbabwe and now, they have beaten New Zealand so comprehensively in this semi finals. What a turn around for them. Brilliant.
In over# 20
1
1wd
Tim Southee 24/0(3.1)
19.1
1
PAKISTAN ARE THROUGH TO THE FINAL! What a turnaround from them! Length and on off. Shan pushes it past the bowler to mid off for a single. PAKISTAN WIN BY 7 WICKETS.
19.1
1wd
WIDE! Dramatic! Scores level! A slower length ball, sliding down. Masood misses his flick.
In over# 19
0W
3b
1
1
1
0
Mitchell Santner 26/1(4)
18.6
W
OUT! Anti-climatic end to the innings! Short and around off. Haris gets low to pull but gets a top edge and Finn Allen takes a simple catch at short fine leg. Mohammad Haris has done the job though. 2 needed now.
18.5
3b
Three byes! Goes through everyone! Short and around off, it lands and turns in. Masood looks to cut but misses. It bounces over the leg pole, past the keeper and to fine leg for three runs. 2 more needed now.
18.4
1
Flatter, slower and outside off. Haris slaps it to deep cover for one. Just 5 needed now.
18.3
1
Fuller and on middle, driven to deep cover for a single.
18.2
1
PUT DOWN! Flatter, slower and outside off. Haris switch hits it straight to short third man. Ish Sodhi dives forward but fails to collect. Hard one but need to take it at crunch times.
18.1
.
Tossed up, outside off, turning away. Haris looks to sweep but misses.
In over# 18
1
6
4
0
1
1b
Lockie Ferguson 37/0(4)