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It will be a battle of two nations separated by the Tasman Sea after all the big favorites for the Twenty20 World Cup melted in the heat and humidity of the Middle East.
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On Tuesday New Zealand came from behind to knock out England and a day later undefeated Pakistan was shown off by Australia in an incredible contest before a packed crowd in Dubai.
Joint favorites India and England were sent packing early and Pakistan established themselves as the next favorite, expected to easily overcome the challenge of a team that arrived in the Middle East with little expectations.
But you can never underestimate Australians. After being put at bat, Pakistan recited 176 for four and the Australians chased this total by crushing 177 for five with one to spare.
The Australians pounced on a mistake to end Pakistan’s dream streak.
Hasan Ali is not likely to forget this match. It gave Matthew Wade a break when he was 21 years old and the goalkeeper rubbed his wounds with salt as he crushed three consecutive sixes of star man Shaheen Afridi to set up victory. Wade hit an undefeated 41 of just 17 balls and Marcus Stoinis finished with an undefeated 40 of 21 balls. The two shared an outstanding position of 81 in 6.4 overs to silence the pro-Pakistan crowd.
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Ali’s catch knockdown brought back memories of the 50+ World Cup that I covered in England in 1999. South Africa’s Herschelle Gibbs gave Australian captain Steve Waugh a break and never forgot the moment.
“You just lost the World Cup,” Waugh apparently told Gibbs in a game in which they both scored centuries. Australia advanced to beat Pakistan in the final to claim the crown.
In Dubai, Pakistan held the lead for most of the time and had the Australians in trouble with 96 for five thanks to a brilliant leg-turning spell from Shadab Khan, who took four wickets, including that of starter David Warner, who made 49. Earlier. Australia was rocked by Afridi, who sent Australia’s captain Aaron Finch back to the pavilion for a duck in the first over.
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“It was a great game of cricket,” Finch said. “The way (Wade) stood his ground was outstanding, that partnership with (Stoinis) was crucial.”
Previously, the Pakistanis also rocked the Australians with some lustful blows. Fakhar Zaman finished with 55 of 32 balls and that included four sixes and three fours. Captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan gave the Pakistanis a good start by putting 71 before Azam fell to 39. Rizwan, who pitched his third half century, had four sixes and three fours on his 67 of 52 balls.
It was a brave blow by the goalkeeper, whom his coach called a ‘warrior’ after spending two nights in a hospital with a ‘serious chest infection’. ”
On the field, he accumulated a huge scar under his right eye after speedy pitcher Mitchell Starc struck him on the grill of his helmet.
“He’s definitely a team man,” Azam said. “The way he played today was exceptional. When I saw him, he was a bit depressed, but when I asked him about his health he said, ‘no, I’ll play.’ And I am very confident in his attitude and his performance ”.
Azam felt Pakistan hit the total his team was aiming for, but it seemed a bit short.
“The way we started in the first half, we got the total we were aiming for,” Azam said. “But we gave them too many chances at the end of the chase. If we had taken that capture, it could have made a difference. ”
Reference-torontosun.com