The world is now set to find new T20 champions with Australia to meet NZ in the grand finale in Dubai Sunday
Minhaz Uddin Khan, Dubai: Three sixes off in-form left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi following the dropped catch by Hasan Ali of Matthew Wade in the 19th over saw Pakistan crash land in the T20 World Cup 2021.
Pakistan, previously the only unbeaten team in the tournament, lost the second semi-final to Australia by five wickets with an over to spare at Dubai International Stadium Thursday.
The world is now set to find new T20 champions with Australia to meet New Zealand in the grand finale at the same venue Sunday.
Pakistan, backed by the stands packed with supporters, had Australia under control for most parts except for the business end of the Australian innings.
Chasing 177, Australia needed 62 in the last five overs.
Pacers Hasan bowled two and Haris Rouf one between overs 16 to 18 and Australia batters Wade and Marcus Stoinis blasted 40 runs in those 18 deliveries to get close to the target.
In the 19th over, Pakistan captain Babar Azam brought Afridi into the attack with Australia needing 22 off the last 12 balls.
One run came in the first two balls – from a leg-by – the third went for a wide and in the reconcile delivery Wade on strike swung too early in his slog to loft the ball to the left of deep midwicket where Hasan ran too quickly and let the ball slip through his fingers.
Wade in the next three deliveries opened hell for Pakistan as the wicketkeeper-batsman slammed three over boundaries off one of the best bowlers of the tournament in Afridi and carry Australia to the final of the T20 World Cup for the second time.
Wade, the player of the match, remained unbeaten on 41 off 17 laced with two boundaries and four over boundaries with Stoinis on the other end on 40 not out in 31 balls.
The duo blasted 81 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket after Pakistan leg-spinner Shabab Khan ripped the Australia top order in the middle overs.
Australia opener David Warner remained true to his form in the tournament, scoring 49 in 30 deliveries before walking back to the dressing from a caught behind, which the replays suggested was a wrong dismissal.
There was a good gap between bat and ball.
Earlier, in-form opener Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman struck half centuries to power Pakistan to a competitive total after being invited to bat first.
At the end of 20 overs, Pakistan posted 176 losing four wickets in their fourth semi-final of the tournament.
Right-handed batsman Rizwan has been the cornerstone of Pakistan’s batting in the world event and it was no different against the Aussies.
Rizwan, coming into the game on the back of a light flu and low fever, tortured the Australia bowlers hammering a 52-ball 67 – his third half century in the tournament – and 11th in the format.
Fakhar on the other hand was due to score some runs in the tournament having reached double figure only once – 30 against Afghanistan.
The left-handed batsman remained till the end of the innings and despite wickets falling on the other end, added a fiery 32-ball 55 to the board laced with three boundaries and four over boundaries.
Pakistan got off to a brilliant start in the crucial tie with openers Rizwan and Babar putting on 71, with 47 of those coming in the powerplay.
Australia got a breakthrough after spinner Adam Zampa removed Babar on 39 off 24 to break the partnership, but it never really hurt Pakistan’s progress in the game.
Pakistan in the last five overs of the innings lost three wickets in Rizwan, Asif Ali [nought] and Shoaib Malik [one] but that did not stop the run flow as they added 54 to the tally.
Rizwan with Fakhar in the middle took the total from 71 for one in 10 overs to 158 before Rizwan perished in the 18th over to Pat Cummins.
Fakhar took charge of the show and in the last over made the final press on the gas blasting a couple of sixes off Mitchell Starc.
Left-arm pacer Starc bagged two wickets but gave away 38 runs in his four overs.
Tall right-arm paceman Josh Hazlewood perhaps had the toughest time in the middle leaking 49 in four overs, and remaining wicketless.
