New Zealand have won the toss and opted to bat first against Pakistan in the first semi-final of the ongoing T20 World Cup at Sydney Cricket Ground.
New Zealand marched to the semi as the champions of Group 1 in the Super 12 stage where they beat Australia, Sri Lanka and Ireland, and lost to England. The other match against Afghanistan ended with no result due to bad weather.
Pakistan, on the other hand, experienced a dramatic run in the Super 12 stage. They lost close matches to India and Zimbabwe and were on the verge of elimination. But the Netherlands had created a great opportunity for them by beating South Africa.
Also read; T20 World Cup 2022: Semifinalists, fixtures, venues, H2H records, probable lineups
That historic win of the Netherlands transformed the Super 12 clash between Bangladesh and Pakistan into a virtual quarter-final in which Pakistan edged a disorderly Bangladesh team, and eventually escaped the cliff edge to march to the semifinal.
Now, the South Asian giants are eager to pass the New Zealand challenge to advance to the final of MCG.
The semi-final came as a golden chance for New Zealand as well. Who have played three World Cup finals before and failed to win any of them. Now, once again, they are upbeat to book a final berth and clinch the title.
Also read: T20 World Cup: Passionate New Zealand or fortunate Pakistan, who will march to final?
Both New Zealand and Pakistan are unbeaten at the Sydney Cricket Ground. New Zealand beat the hosts Australia on this ground while Pakistan dealt with South Africa.
New Zealand had played three T20 World Cup semi-finals before and won only one of them while Pakistan played 5 T20 World Cup semis and won two of them.
Pakistan (Playing XI): Mohammad Rizwan(w), Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi.
New Zealand (Playing XI): Finn Allen, Devon Conway(w), Kane Williamson(c), Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.