Openers power Pakistan into T20 World Cup final

KABUL (Pajhwok): A spectacular opening stand saw Pakistan storming into the ICC T20 World Cup final on Wednesday, PTV reported.

Skipper Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, both hitting superb half-centuries, forged a partnership of more than a hundred.

The 70-ball opening stand is a record third in T20 World Cups. The Green Shirts reached 153 with seven wickets and five balls to spare.

Shan Masood sealed the deal with a single off Tim Southee on the first ball of the last over.

Earlier, New Zealand set Pakistan a 153-run target in the first semifinal at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia

Opting to bat first, the Black Caps were restricted to 152 for the loss of four wickets in the stipulated 20 overs, with Pakistani bowlers once again showing their class.

Shaheen Afridi sent opener Finn Allen back to the dug-out for four in the first over. Shadab Khan ran out Devon Conway on the last ball of the sixth over.

Glenn Phillips was caught and bold by Mohammad Nawaz for six, as captain Kane Williamson top-scored with 46 off 42 balls before being dismissed by Afridi.

Pakistani bowlers conceded only 54 runs in the last six overs, with New Zealand having seven wickets in hand.

The two sides began their quest for a slot in the final, with each team voicing confidence to down the other in the important clash.

The Kiwis topped Group 1 to qualify for the semi-finals, scoring three wins and tasting a loss.

Pakistan stormed into the last four following back-to-back defeats. They needed India or South Africa to lose their respective matches in the final set of Super 12 fixtures in Group 2 on Sunday.

They also had to outplay Bangladesh. In a dramatic fashion, Bangladesh were stunned by the Netherlands and sent crashing out of the mega event.

Pakistan's match against Bangladesh was a virtual quarter-final, which they won by five wickets.

Pakistan, having trounced New Zealand in the tri-series recently, once again lashed the Kiwis.

They will square off against the winners of the India-England, clash in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on November 13.

mud