Rizwan, Babar lead Pakistan over New Zealand, World Cup Final berth awaits

Pakistan are the first team to qualify for the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final after beating New Zealand by seven wickets at the SCG overnight thanks to a 105-run opening stand between Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam.

New Zealand won the toss and batted first but got off to a less than ideal start with opener Finn Allen dismissed leg-before on just the third ball of the game by Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Devon Conway struggled his way to 21 off 20 before some sharp fielding work courtesy of Shadab Khan caught him short of the crease.

Glenn Phillips lasted only two overs himself before Mohammad Nawaz got him out caught-and-bowled.

At 3-for-49 after eight overs, skipper Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell steadied the Kiwi innings with a 68-run stand before a peach from Shaheen knocked Williamson over after grinding his way to 46 off 42.

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Mitchell reached 50 and Jimmy Neesham added a handy 16 off 12 with both batsmen finishing not out as New Zealand crawled their way to 4-for-152 off their 20 overs.

Shaheen finished with an impressive 2-for-24 off his four overs whilst Nawaz was 1-for-12 off two overs.

With a target of just 153, it was vital that the Pakistanis got off to a strong start and Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan delivered in style.

Both looked increasingly comfortable at the crease as Pakistan soared towards New Zealand’s total.

They combined for a 105-run opening stand becoming the first duo in T20 World Cup history to put together three separate 100-run partnerships.

Babar was eventually dismissed by Trent Boult for 53 off 42 after skying one to Mitchell at long-on.

Mohammad Haris strolled down to the middle and picked up where Babar left off before Boult claimed the wicket of Rizwan – who finished with 57 off 43 and a Player of the Match nod – at the end of the 16th over.

With Haris and Shan Masood at the crease and requiring just 21 off the final three overs, Pakistan were well on their way to their first T20 World Cup Final in 13 years.

Haris found the road on multiple occasions before Mitchell Santner dismissed him at the end of the 18th over.

Masood hit the winning run with five balls to spare as the sea of dark green that engulfed the famous SCG erupted in unison.

Pakistan will meet the winner of England versus India – who face-off tonight at the Adelaide Oval – in Melbourne on Sunday night for a shot at the biggest prize in T20 cricket.

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