DUBAI – Australia chased down 177 against Pakistan in the second semi-final on Thursday in Dubai, qualifying for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021.
Marcus Stonis and Matthew Wade’s unbeaten innings helped Aussies seal victory over Men in Green Shirts after they lost David Warner (49).
Pakistan’s spinner Shadab Khan claimed four wicket-haul as he removed Warner, Marsh, Smith and Maxwell but it went in vain as other bowling line could not perform up to the mark.
Australia and New Zealand to face off in the final match of the tournament on Sunday.
Earlier, Australi won the toss and elected to field first.
Mohammad Rizwan punished Australia for two dropped catches as he reached another half-century to help Pakistan to 176/4 after being put in to bat in the second semi-final.
Rizwan’s effort was his third 50 of the tournament and tenth of an extraordinary 2021 that has seen him become the first batter in T20I history to pass one thousand runs in a calendar year.
Babar Azam fell off the final ball before the drinks break when he was caught in the deep of Adam Zampa to fall for a typically fluent 39 off 34, with Pakistan 71/1 after ten overs.
Asif Ali and Shoaib Malik were both dismissed cheaply by Australia’s impressive quicks, but Zaman stepped up to replace their power, hitting four maximums in his sensational unbeaten 55.
The Teams
Australia XI: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Pakistan XI: Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi
