Pakistan enter T20 World Cup final with 7 wicket win over New Zealand

KATHMANDU: After 13 years, Pakistan has reached the final of the ICC T20 World Cup. Pakistan advanced to the final after defeating New Zealand by 7 wickets on Wednesday.

Pakistan had not reached the final of the T20 World Cup since 2009. Pakistan reached the 153-run victory target set by New Zealand, despite losing three wickets in the final over. Both openers hit half-centuries for Pakistan.

Opener Rizwan and captain Babar Azam put on an excellent first-wicket stand. Captain Babar made 53 runs back to the pavilion. Rizwan tallied 57 runs.

Previously, in Sydney, Australia, New Zealand won the toss and batted, scoring 152 runs for the loss of four wickets in the scheduled 20 overs.

For New Zealand, Daryl Mitchell batted 53 runs and James Neesham remained unbeaten for 16 runs. Captain Kane made 46 runs before being bowled out by Shaheen Shah Afridi. Kane, who faced 42 balls, scored 46 runs with one four and one six.

Shaheen Shah Afridi caught opener Finn Allen LBW for four runs. Devon Conway scored 21 runs before being run out. Glenn Phillips was caught red-handed for six runs.

Pakistan’s Saheen Shah Afridi took two wickets, while Mohammad Nawaz took one. Pakistan will now play the winner of India and England for the title on Thursday.