Riding on the fifties by Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan posted a challenging total of 176 for four in 20 overs against Australia in the 2nd semi-final of the T20 World Cup on Thursday at Dubai.
Australia won the toss and sent Pakistan to bat first.
In the first wicket stand, Pakistan posted 71 in 10 overs. Captain Babar Azam , who hit four fifties in the last five matches, scored 39 off 34 balls with five fours.
It was Adam Zampa who stunned Babar with a delivery tossed up at the stumps and Babar went for a slog-sweep and caught at the long-on area.
Before Babar’s dismissal, Pakistan posted 47 runs without losing any wicket. In the World Cup, Pakistan lost a wicket in the powerplay only on two occasions.
Mohammad Rizwan continued on a good run as he came up with a 50 in this match. He completed his 50 off 41 balls. It was Rizwan’s third half century in this World Cup. Along the way, Rizwan became the first batter in history to complete 1000 T20I runs in a calendar year.
Rizwan was removed by Mitchel Starc at 67 off 52 with three fours and four sixes. He tried to clear through mid-off but failed to connect the ball well as Steve Smith took a regulation catch.
In the next over after Rizwan’s dismissal, Asif Ali suffered a golden duck. It was a slower delivery by Pat Cummins. The delivery was quite at the slot. Asif went for a big shot but failed to catch the slower one, and lofted an easy catch to Smith.
Pakistan were able to score only three runs off the 19th over bowled by Cummins. It was a wonderful over by the pacer.
Fakahar Zaman hit two sixes off the fourth and fifth ball of the last over, and thus, Pakistan’s total passed 175— they ended up at 176 for four in 20 overs.
With two sixes in the last over, Fakhar completed a fifty and remained unbeaten for 55 off 32 balls with three fours and four sixes.
For Australia, Mitchell Starc bagged two wickets while Cummins and Zampa scalped one wicket each.
To win this match, Australia will have to score at a run rate of 8.85.
Source: United News of Bangladesh