Pakistan defeated New Zealand 152 for 4 (Mitchell 53*, Williamson 46, Afridi 2-24) by seven wickets in their innings of 153 for 3 (Rizwan 57, Babar 53, Boult 2-33). Pakistan, who lost to Zimbabwe before in the competition, who limped into the semis because of Netherland’s impossible success over South Africa, have raged into the last of the 2022 Men’s T20 World Cup, having executed a close wonderful game.
Such a lot of that is perfect about this Pakistan group made sense in this game. Shaheen Afridi got his first-over wicket, catching Finn Allen in front with a horrendous inswinger third ball. The back end of the inning was secured by their seamers, who only allowed 53 runs to be scored off the final six overs (this is the kind of stuff they’ve done well throughout the competition).
Then, at that point, having confined New Zealand – who battled to track down limits – to 152 for 4, their openers got back to stunning structure. Having been dropped in the first finished, Babar Azam struck 53 off 42 balls, whipping quicks through square leg, pounding spinners down the ground. Mohammad Rizwan was much more great, hitting 57 off 43 as the pair put on 105 for the principal wicket.
There was a slight stammer towards the end, as Pakistan lost their openers, and dialed back a touch. In any case, Babar and Rizwan had secured the pursuit. They arrived with five balls in excess.
