T20 World Cup: Devon Conway ruled out of final with broken right hand

T20 World Cup | Semi-final: Who said what on Twitter after Australia march into final

Australia marched into the final of the T20 World Cup with an emphatic 5-wicket win over Pakistan on Thursday in Dubai. Chasing a stiff target of 177 in 20 overs, the Aussie side lost an early wicket after captain Aaron Finch departed for a golden duck as he was trapped in front of the stumps in the very first over by Shaheen Afridi. But opener David Warner who was then joined by Mitchell Marsh steadied the ship for the side and the two batters put up a 52-run stand for the second wicket before Marsh was sent back in the hut for 28 off 22. The Kangaroos then lost a few wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 96/5 when Marcus Stoinis was joined by Matthew Wade. The two batsmen began to rebuild the innings cautiously and then unleashed a counter attack in the later stages of the game. Hasan Ali who had a tough day at the office gave away 27 runs in his final two overs to eventually return with figures of 0/44 in 4 overs. Australia then needed 22 off the last two overs. The Babar Azam-led side did have a chance to make a comeback in the game but Hasan dropped Wade at deep mid wicket and the left-hander didn’t really look back afterwards and wrapped up the match in the penultimate over itself. Wade struck Shaheen for three maximums on the last three deliveries in the over on the trot to guide his team to the title clash. For Pakistan, it was Shadab Khan who was the pick of the bowlers after he scalped four wickets at the cost of 26 runs in 4 overs. Earlier, in the day, Pakistan rode on some fine pieces of batting from Babar Azam, Mohmmad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman to post 176/4 in 20 overs. Rizwan and Fakhar both notched up individual fifties during the course of the innings. Australia will now play New Zealand in the final on Sunday in Dubai.

T20 World Cup | Semi-final: David Warner unveils batting masterclass in a stiff run chase

Australia opener David Warner unleashed a batting masterclass against Pakistan in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup in Dubai. Chasing a stiff total of 177, Australia started off the proceedings in a disappointing manner after captain Aaron Finch was trapped in front of the stumps by Shaheen Afridi on the very first delivery he faced. Warner was then joined by Mitchell Marsh in the middle and the left-right duo steadied the ship for the side and stitched a stand of 52 runs for the second wicket. But Marsh was eventually undone by Shadab Khan after he was caught by Asif Ali for a 22-ball 28. The Australian side then lost Steve Smith in quick succession while Warner continued to score runs and ended up getting 49 off 30 a knock that included three maximums and as many fours. Warner was caught behind by Rizwan off Shadab after he edged while trying to cut a delivery that was moving away from the left-hander. The wicket of Warner became a matter of controversy as the ultra edge showed that Warner might not have hit the ball. However since the Aussie batter didn’t review, there was no way that it could be tested. Shadab eventually returned with figures of 4/26 in 4 overs.

T20 World Cup | Semi-final: Fakhar Zaman’s late surge helps Pakistan put 176/4 against Australia

Pakistan batsman Fakhar Zaman who hasn’t really been among runs in this T20 World Cup unveiled a brilliant batting display when it was most required. The left-handed batsman struck an unbeaten half-century against Australia in the semi-final in Dubai on Thursday. After being put into bat by Australia skipper Aaron Finch, Pakistan openers Mohammad Rizwan and captain Babar Azam began the proceedings in a cautious manner as the two compiled 71 runs for the first wicket before the latter departed for 39 off 34 after being caught in the deep by David Warner off Adam Zampa while trying to accelerate. Rizwan on the other side, continued with his form and notched up yet another half-century in the competition during the course. The wicket-keeper batsman along with Fakhar stitched a stand of 72 runs for the second wicket before Rizwan was eventually out for a 52-ball 67 which included four maximums and three fours. But Rizwan’s departure didn’t really cause much hindrance as Zaman continued to score runs at the other end and struck a couple of sixes in the final over to help his side put 176/4 in 20 overs on the board. For Australia, it was Adam Zampa who was the pick of the bowlers after he returned with figures of 1/22 in 4 overs.

T20 World Cup | Semi-Final | Mohammad Rizwan dazzles in semis, hits a composed fifty

Mohammad Rizwan, who has been in great form throughout the T20 World Cup 2021 dazzled in the semi-finals as well as he reached his 11th T20I fifty and third of the competition. Batting against Australia, the start of the wicket-keeper batter was not on expected lines as he was not able to open his account in the first five balls that he faced. But once that period was over he started exploring options even as Babar Azam at the other end made merry of the form he is in, showing his class on the field. Rizwan, who is batting on 51 off 42 balls, at the time of writing this piece, was in a 71-run partnership for the first wicket with Babar. After the dismissal of the captain, the vice-captain Rizwan started to build another stand with Fakahar Zaman and at the end of the 15 overs, he has had a 46 runs stand with the left-hander, which came in just 30 balls. Being at the crease and the kind of batsman he is, the player from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be looking to unleash the beast within. Presently Rizwan has hit two fours and three sixes.