Pakistan vs Australia LIVE: T20 World Cup 2021 semi-final result and reaction
Australia will take on New Zealand in Sunday’s final
Australia will take on New Zealand in the final of the T20 World Cup after beating Pakistan in the semi-final in Dubai.
Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman smashed breezy half-centuries to help Pakistan post 176-4 at the Dubai International Stadium.
Put in to bat, Pakistan got off to a strong start with Rizwan (67) and skipper Babar Azam (39) forging a 71-run partnership for the opening wicket. Fakhar provided the late charge for the 2009 champions with an unbeaten 55 off 32 balls.
Set 177 for victory, David Warner made 49 before Australia rode unbeaten cameos from Marcus Stoinis (40*) and Matthew Wade (41*) to clinch the win with one over to spare.
They will now play rivals New Zealand in Sunday’s final after they beat England on Wednesday.
Pakistan 11-0 (2), M Rizwan 0, B Azam 10, Josh Hazlewood 0-5 (1)
Mohammad Rizwan looks a little angsty at the crease so far, searching for a scoring stroke rather than letting the ball come to him on what looks, from first indications, a pitch with decent pace and carry.
Now then, here’s a bit of a surprise - Australia are going to utilise Glenn Maxwell in the powerplay to Pakistan’s king pair of right-handers. How Aaron Finch would love his off-spinner to burgle one of them. In he skips, top-knot flopping about on top of his head...
FOUR! Pakistan 10-0 (1.2)
Babar is the epitome of elegance as a slightly off-line ball from Hazlewood is smoothly caressed between the off-side fielders for four. A sensual stroke.
Pakistan 6-0 (1 over), Mohammad Rizwan 0, Babar Azam 5, Mitchell Starc 0-5 (1)
Beaten again! Another flick brings Babar a single before his opening partner is beaten by another in-ducker from Starc, a similar shot to the opening ball of the over as he tries to flay through the offside but outside of the line of the ball once more.
No inside edge this time, and that’ll do us for the opening set of six. Josh Hazlewood to share the new white pill.
FOUR! Pakistan 5-0 (0.4)
Too straight and glanced for four! Brisk from Starc, already up above 90mph, but straying down the leg side and taken from the hip rather pleasantly by an upright Babar Azam for the game’s first boundary. Fine of long leg - four runs.
Pakistan 1-0 (0.3)
An intriguing field first up for Starc’s inswing - extra cover is vacant, with an extra man on the leg-side, who is welcomed into the game by a Babar Azam flick.
Good shot for none! A crisp drive from Babar as he reaches for an over-pitched Starc ball pushed across him but straight to the cover fielder.
Pakistan 1-0 (0.1)
Inside edge! A touch wide from Mitchell Starc to start but enough inward movement to snare a piece of Mohammad Rizwan’s flowing blade. Short of keeper Matthew Wade, who gets a hand on it and keeps it to just a single from the first ball. Signalled a bye, strangely.
Cricket against racism
Australia take a knee, while Pakistan again place hands on hearts in solidarity with cricket’s fight against racism.
Ready for the first ball
Mitchell Starc has his cap off, and it will be the long-striding left-armer to kick things off to Pakistan’s opening pair, who come out practicing their straight drives to an outstanding reception.
Anthems
Great smiles on the faces of the Australia players as they sing “Advance Australia Fair”, joined by Justin Langer and his coaching staff.
Pakistan’s players put their hands to their hearts, Matthew Hayden’s enormous hands slamming together in approval as a reasonably partisan crowd in their adopted home roars the final strains of the anthem.
Anthem time
Out come the two teams for the anthems, along with the match officials - Richard Kettelborough and Chris Gaffaney are the standing umpires, with Joel Wilson ready should any consultation with the third umpire be necessary.
A healthy crowd in, by the looks of things, plenty edged in emerald in support of Pakistan.
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