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Man of the match Pakistan's Muhammad Rizwan in action

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Pakistan's Captain Babar Azam celebrates his 50

SYDNEY: Pakistan batsmen and bowlers revelled on a pitch described as one that is similar to Lahore and Dubai to pull off a seven-wicket win over New Zealand and book their place in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup.

To an almost capacity packed Sydney Cricket Ground where the majority of supporters cheered for Pakistan, the team led by Baba Azam outplayed New Zealand in all departments of the game to clinch a creditable victory in the first semi-final. The second semi-final between India and England takes place at Adelaide today.

Tight bowling backed up by brilliant fielding saw New Zealand restricted to a total of 152-4 on a ground where they had put the Australian bowling to the sword by racking up 200-3 in the Super12 opener. Then openers Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam simply made a mockery of the run chase by racing to 87 without loss off the first 10 overs.

Babar whose form has been a talking point in the tournament finally came good when it mattered to score a fluent 53 off 42 balls (7 fours) to lead the Pakistan run chase. Along with his proficient partner Rizwan they brought Pakistan within touching distance of victory with a partnership of 105 off 76 balls. When Pakistan head coach Matthew Hayden said: “You’re about to see something special from Babar,” he wasn’t wrong.

Rizwan carried on the run chase to complete his half-century (57 off 43 balls, 5 fours) and with Mohammad Harris contributing 30 off 26 balls Pakistan reached their target with five balls to spare. Rizwan was named Player of the Match.

The stage for Pakistan’s remarkable victory was set up by the bowlers. The bowling was so disciplined that they didn’t concede a single wide or no-ball. In fact, Pakistan played like cornered tigers out for the kill.

After New Zealand had won the toss and decided to bat first, Pakistan achieved an early breakthrough in the first over with Shaheen Afridi trapping Finn Allen lbw for four off the third ball after the batsman had hit the first ball for four, and then survived a lbw decision off the next.

On the stroke of the first power play Pakistan struck again removing the dangerous Devon Conway for 21 as he challenged the arm of Shadab Khan from mid-off and was run out with the score on 38.

Pakistan kept the New Zealand batting under control by capturing wickets at regular intervals. Glenn Phillips who scored that magnificent century against Sri Lanka was snapped up by left-arm spinner Mohammed Nawaz in his first over for six, so that at the halfway mark New Zealand were kept down to 59-3 with Pakistan dominating the first 10 overs.

New Zealand eventually managed only 152-4 thanks to some brilliant Pakistani fielding and disciplined bowling that did not allow the batsmen any freedom to free their arms.

That New Zealand even reached a total beyond 150 was due to Darryl Mitchell who struck a superb 53* off 35 balls (3 fours, 1 six) and helped New Zealand raise 93 runs off the last 10 overs.  

Williamson and Mitchell added 68 off 50 balls for the fourth wicket before Afridi returning for his second spell foxed Williamson with a slow ball to be bowled for 46 off 42 balls (1 six, 1 four). James Neesham 16* off 12 balls helped Mitchell add a further 35* off 22 balls before the overs ran out.