T20 World Cup 2021
T20 World Cup: Finalists eye maiden title in shortest format
Both Australia and New Zealand are keeping their goal simple— to win the title— ahead of the final of the ongoing T20 World Cup which is all set to take place on Sunday in Dubai.
Australia’s first chance was ruined by England in the final of the 2010 World Cup, but they are determined to grab the one title that eludes them on Sunday. New Zealand, on the other hand, have their first chance after ending heavily-fancied England's run in the semifinal.
“It’s one that’s eluded us in the past, and the fact that we are here in the final gives us the best opportunity to rectify that,” Aaron Finch, the Australian captain, said on Saturday. “I think it will be a great game against New Zealand. They are a great side and they have been in all the finals over the last six years.”
The final of the 2015 World Cup was the last, and only previous, occasion these two neighbouring countries faced each other in a World Cup final. New Zealand capitulated by seven wickets in Melbourne.
The Blackcaps continued their final presence in 2019 when they were narrowly beaten by England on a controversial boundary count that has since been removed from the rules. The final of this year’s T20 World Cup is a fourth straight final for them, at an ICC World Cup event - earlier this year they also played the final of the Test championship, and won it.
Read: T20 World Cup 2021 Final: Preview of Australia vs. New Zealand Match
Before beating Pakistan in the semifinal, Australia won four of the five matches they played in the Super 12s stage, and New Zealand have also registered as many wins before the semifinal against England.
The toss might play a big role in the final. All five of Australia’s wins came when they won the toss and fielded first. A total of 12 matches were hosted by Dubai in this World Cup, and 11 of them were won by the team who batted second.
Like most of the matches in this World Cup, the spinners might play a big role in the final as well. Adam Zampa has been one of the best bowlers of the event. He has all the ability to impress in the final. Though Finch, the Australian captain believes that the responsibility does not lie with any one person.
“I think like I said before, at some point throughout the tournament, everyone in our XI has had a match-winning contribution, which has been really impressive. I don't think it's down to one person,” Finch added.
According to Finch, in a big game like the World Cup final, everyone needs to come up and execute the duty they have. He said: “(To win) everyone to chip in their part and that is a part of the pressure of a final and if it’s your day as an individual, trying to maximize that and go in as big as you can.”
New Zealand captain Kane Willaimson is also looking forward to winning the World Cup for his nation.
Read: Australia pull off late comeback to kill Pakistan's World Cup dream
“It (winning WC) would be some achievement. But you know, where it stands at the moment is there's a game of cricket to play, and for us, it's focusing on that and focusing on our cricket and looking to go out there and implement those things that are important to us,” Williamson said in the pre-final press conference.
New Zealand will miss the services of Devon Conway, their wicketkeeper, in the final. He broke his hand after punching his bat out of frustration after getting out against England.
“Obviously the loss of Devon is a big one. You know, he's been a big part of all formats for us, and you know, a disappointing and really freak thing to happen. But for us, it's keeping our focus on the task, and all the players really excited with the opportunity tomorrow to go out,” Williamson added.
Before the World Cup final, New Zealand and Australia faced each other in 14 T20Is with Australia winning nine of those, and losing only four. But this stat is unlikely to play a major role when the two teams lock horns in the final.
T20 World Cup 2021 Final: Preview of Australia vs. New Zealand Match
The wait is finally over, two neighboring countries across the Tasman Sea, Australia and New Zealand will meet in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 championship match on Sunday (November 14) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Just like the semifinals, the final match will begin at 8 p.m. (Bangladesh Standard Time). New Zealand will be aiming to avenge their 2015 ODI World Cup final loss to Australia. On the other side, Australia will be trying to win their first T20 World Cup. Let's take a look at Australia vs. New Zealand final preview.
Read: Pakistani cricket team arrives in Dhaka
Australia vs. New Zealand: Important T20I Records
The last time these two teams met in New Zealand, Australia won the series (2-1). Overall, Australia have a better head-to-head record than New Zealand, and the odds are in their favor heading into the final. Here are some of their major T20I records against one other.
Key T20I Record between both sides
Australia
New Zealand
Matches Played (14)
9
5
Most Runs
Aaron Finch (251 runs in 7 innings)
Martin Guptill (435 runs in 12 innings)
Highest Score
Ricky Ponting (98*)
Brendon McCullum (116*)
Most Fifties
D’Arcy Short (2)
Martin Guptill (3)
Most Wickets
Ashton Agar (13)
IS Sodhi (16)
Best Bowling Figures
Ashton Agar (6/30)
IS Sodhi (4/28)
Most Matches
Martin Guptill (12)
Ashton Agar (9)
Highest Partnership
David Warner & D’Arcy Short (121)
Martin Guptill & Colin Munro (132)
Most Catches
Glen Maxwell (10)
Martin Guptill (10)
Most Dismissals
Adam Gilchrist (4)
Tim Seifert (5)
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Australia
The opening pair of Australia has been one of the best in the competition. Left-hand dashing batter David Warner is one of the tournament's leading run-scorers, while skipper Aaron Finch has done a good job for his team. This duo will be crucial once again in the championship match against New Zealand. Australia's middle-order hasn't been in particularly good form so far in the tournament. It was David Warner who set the tone in Australia's run chase in the semi-final encounter against Pakistan.
Read Rizwan spends two nights in a hospital with chest infection
In the middle order, Marsh, Smith, and Maxwell must find their best form in the crucial final. Otherwise, New Zealand will take the game away from them. Both Smith and Maxwell have strike rates less than 100 in the competition, which is surprising given their reputations. Stoinis and Wade delivered two crucial knocks in the semi-final that ensured Australia's victory. Finding form prior to the final will give both players a huge boost in confidence.
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa has been in outstanding form throughout the series, and he will be skipper Aaron Finch's main weapon in the final. Pat Cummins bowled well in the last game while Starc and Hazlewood both conceded a lot of runs against Pakistan. Australia's pacers must be more disciplined in order to overcome New Zealand, as the Kiwis are particularly good against fast bowlers.
Read Pakistan cricket team arrive in Dhaka Saturday
Australia pull off late comeback to kill Pakistan's World Cup dream
Matthew Wade hit three sixes off the last three balls of the 19th over bowled by the otherwise excellent Shaheen Shah Afridi to carry Australia to the final of the ICC T20 World Cup for the first time since 2010, beating Pakistan by five wickets in a nailbiting second semifinal Thursday in Dubai.
Australia will now take on New Zealand in the final on November 14 at the same venue. Neither team has won the World Cup in cricket's shortest version before, and although they faced each other in the final of the 2015 ODI World Cup, this will be the first World Cup final between the two neighbours parted by the Tasman Sea - a Transtasman final.
Right before the final blow, Wade got a life due to Hassan Ali’s sloppy fielding at the deep. Australia needed 18 runs of nine balls when Wade decided to take it to Afridi.
Australia needed 22 in the last 12 overs. Riding on Wade’s mighty hitting, they scored these runs with six balls to play. And thus, Australia ended the superb run of Pakistan in this World Cup.
Afridi had been bowling like a dream throughout the tournament, and he got the early breakthrough with the new ball on this night too. But coming into the second last over of the second semifinal, he delivered his worst over of the event.
Australia won the toss in this match and sent Pakistan bat first. Who posted 176 for four in 20 overs.
In reply, Australia lost the first wicket in the first over of the innings when Afridi removed Australian captain Aaron Finch for a golden duck. But the Aussies managed to control the early damage carefully.
In the second wicket stand, David Warner and Mitchell Marsh added 51 runs off 36 balls which has set the foundation for them.
T20 World Cup: Pakistan post 176 vs Australia in 2nd semi-final
Riding on the fifties by Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan posted a challenging total of 176 for four in 20 overs against Australia in the 2nd semi-final of the T20 World Cup on Thursday at Dubai.
Australia won the toss and sent Pakistan to bat first.
In the first wicket stand, Pakistan posted 71 in 10 overs. Captain Babar Azam , who hit four fifties in the last five matches, scored 39 off 34 balls with five fours.
It was Adam Zampa who stunned Babar with a delivery tossed up at the stumps and Babar went for a slog-sweep and caught at the long-on area.
Before Babar’s dismissal, Pakistan posted 47 runs without losing any wicket. In the World Cup, Pakistan lost a wicket in the powerplay only on two occasions.
Mohammad Rizwan continued on a good run as he came up with a 50 in this match. He completed his 50 off 41 balls. It was Rizwan’s third half century in this World Cup. Along the way, Rizwan became the first batter in history to complete 1000 T20I runs in a calendar year.
Rizwan was removed by Mitchel Starc at 67 off 52 with three fours and four sixes. He tried to clear through mid-off but failed to connect the ball well as Steve Smith took a regulation catch.
In the next over after Rizwan’s dismissal, Asif Ali suffered a golden duck. It was a slower delivery by Pat Cummins. The delivery was quite at the slot. Asif went for a big shot but failed to catch the slower one, and lofted an easy catch to Smith.
Pakistan were able to score only three runs off the 19th over bowled by Cummins. It was a wonderful over by the pacer.
Fakahar Zaman hit two sixes off the fourth and fifth ball of the last over, and thus, Pakistan’s total passed 175— they ended up at 176 for four in 20 overs.
With two sixes in the last over, Fakhar completed a fifty and remained unbeaten for 55 off 32 balls with three fours and four sixes.
For Australia, Mitchell Starc bagged two wickets while Cummins and Zampa scalped one wicket each.
To win this match, Australia will have to score at a run rate of 8.85.
T20 World Cup: Australia opt to bowl first vs Pakistan in 2nd semifinal
Australia have won the toss and opted to bowl first against Pakistan in the second semifinal of the T20 World Cup on Thursday in Dubai.
Pakistan have won all the five matches they have played in this World Cup so far while Australia lost one out of five they played.
For Pakistan, captain Babar Azam, opener Mohammad Rizwan, veteran-duo Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez have been tremendous in the field.
In contrast, David Warner, Aaron Finch, Adam Zampa were also fabulous in this World Cup.
Both the teams have a great chance to join New Zealand in the final of November 14 which will also take place in Dubai.
In the first semifinal, New Zealand beat England riding on the wonderful batting show by Jemmy Neesham and Daryl Mitchel.
Australia have won three out of six matches they have played against Pakistan in the T20 World Cups while Pakistan won the others.
Pakistan (Playing XI): Mohammad Rizwan(w), Babar Azam(c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi
Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Aaron Finch(c), Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade(w), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Pakistan vs. Australia 2nd Semi-final Preview: ICC T20 World Cup 2021
Pakistan and Australia will play in the second semi-final of the Twenty20 World Cup 2021 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on November 11 (Thursday). The match will commence at 8:00 p.m. (Bangladesh Standard Time). Pakistan played in two finals and won the 2009 tournament. On the other hand, Australia only played one final match in 2010, losing to arch-rivals England. Both teams haven't played in a final since 2010, so they will be keen to get to the final this time around. Let's take a look at Pakistan vs. Australia semi-final match preview.
Read New Zealand take down high-flying England to advance to third WC final since 2019
Pakistan vs. Australia: Important T20I Records
Pakistan and Australia last played in a Twenty20 International match in Perth two years ago. The Australian team won the match by a margin of ten wickets. Pakistan have the upper hand in a head-to-head contest. Here are some of their notable T20I records against one another.
Crucial T20I Record between both sides
Pakistan
Australia
Matches Played (23)
13
9
Most Runs
Kamran Akmal (366 runs in 11 innings)
David Warner (348 runs in 15 innings)
Highest Score
Umar Akmal (94)
Shane Watson (81)
Most Fifties
Babar Azam (4)
Aaron Finch (3)
Most Wickets
Saeed Ajmal (19)
Mitchell Starc (13)
Best Bowling Figures
Umar Gul (4/8)
James Faulkner (5/27)
Most Matches
Shoaib Malik (16)
David Warner (15)
Highest Partnership
Shoaib Malik & Misbah-ul-haq (119*)
Aaron Finch & Glen Maxwell (118)
Most Catches
Shoaib Malik (10)
David Warner (11)
Most Dismissals
Kamran Akmal (12)
Alex Carey (5)
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Pakistan
Pakistan's biggest strength is that they have the most well-balanced team among the competitors. Skipper Babar Azam and wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan have been outstanding with the bat. They hold the best partnership (152*) in the competition, which they set against India in their opening match. They have given Pakistan a strong start, and the following batters keep the momentum going till the end. This strategy has worked out pretty well thus far for Pakistan.
Read T20 World Cup: Moeen Ali guides England to 166 vs New Zealand
Apart from them, Asif Ali and Shoaib Malik have shown their capability in the death overs. Particularly, Asif Ali’s has been a nice find, who almost single-handedly took Pakistan home against New Zealand and Afghanistan respectively.
Besides, Asif Ali and Shoaib Malik have shown their talents in death overs. Particularly, Asif Ali has been a nice find. He single-handedly led Pakistan to victory against New Zealand and Afghanistan.
Read: Premier Hockey: Mariner Youngs, Abahani Ltd maintain all-win run
Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi probably bowled the best two deliveries of the competition against India. Since then, he has become a real threat, particularly in the power play. The pinpoint accuracy of Afridi at the start of the innings might put Australia's top order under pressure. Haris, Shadab, and Imad all have performed well in the middle overs.
Hasan Ali’s bowling discipline is a major concern. He has bowled an excessive number of no-balls in the tournament, which needs to be addressed. Otherwise, Australian batters may take advantage of it and take the game away from them. The Pakistan dressing room is in a jovial mood right now, and they are ready to face Australia.
Read T20 World Cup 1st semifinal: NZ choose to bowl against England
Probable Playing XI
Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi
Australia
Australia's opening pair, David Warner and Aaron Finch are having a great time in this competition. They made a century partnership (124) against the West Indians, and it seems they have a solid understanding between them. However, one major issue is that the following batters have not tested much in the tournament. So, if they lose early wickets in the game that could halt them to build the innings for a challenging total to defend. In this regard, Australia should be cautious, and they must retain wickets in hand in order to unleash in the death overs.
ReadHigh on self-confidence, Kiwis eyes a slot in T20 WC final
In the middle-order, Steven Smith and Glen Maxwell have been struggling with strike rates, which is a major issue for them. Therefore, in-form Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis must perform well in this game.
Leg-spinners are occasionally expensive in white-ball cricket, but they have the capability to take wickets at critical stages of the innings. As a result, leg-spinner Adam Zampa will be Australia's go-to bowler in this encounter. He has the best bowling figure (5/19) in the competition, which he obtained against Bangladesh. In addition, Zampa has one of the best economy rates (5.73) in the tournament.
Read: Women’s ODI: Bangladesh make flying start beating Zimbabwe by 8 wkts
Hazlewood has been in excellent form, taking 8 wickets with a 6.87 economy rate. But, Starc and Pat Cummins have been struggling a bit since the start of the World Cup. They need to step up in this big match against Pakistan. Especially breaking the Babar-Rizwan partnership would be the highest priority for Australia. Overall, Australia's T20 team has the ability to defeat Pakistan and progress to the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 final.
Probable Playing XI
David Warner, Aaron Finch (captain), Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wicket-keeper), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Read Bangladesh a better team than their T20 performance: Dale Steyn
Verdict
The Pakistan team dominated the Super 12 Round, winning all of their matches. They came out on top in Group 2 as the table toppers. Australia won four games and lost to England in the Super 12s. They just edged out South Africa in the net run rates for a semifinal berth.
Going into the semi-final matchup, Pakistan are full of confidence and in better form than Australia. However, Australia will be very determined to win this match in order to improve their position in the T20 format. Therefore, Pakistan vs. Australia match has grabbed the curiosity of supporters.
Read National Cricket: Chattogram thrashes Barisal by an innings defeat
New Zealand take down high-flying England to advance to third WC final since 2019
Riding on a stunning late assault from Daryl Mitchell and James Neesham, New Zealand stormed to their first-ever T20 World Cup final, beating heavily favoured England by five wickets and with an over to spare Wednesday at Abu Dhabi.
Victory in Sunday's T20 final in Dubai for the Black Caps - against the winners of tomorrow's second semifinal between Australia and Pakistan - would make them the first team to hold the world championship title simultaneously in more than one format.
It means the Kiwis have made it through to the final of the world cup in all three formats of cricket in the current cycle: they were defeated in the 50-over ODI final by England in 2019, but became the inaugural champions of Test cricket by beating India in the final earlier this year. Both those finals were played at Lord's, the Mecca of Cricket.
Set 167 to win, New Zealand needed 57 runs off the last 4 overs after the chase had apparently stalled. But that's when Mitchell and Neesham came alive.
It all started with a 23-run over from Chris Jordan, and then Adil Rashid conceded 14 off the next over, bringing the target down to very manageable levels.
New Zealand needed 20 runs in the last two overs. Chris Woakes conceded all of these runs in six balls— in the 19th over with two sixes and one four by Mitchell. In the 18th over, Adil Rashid conceded 14 runs taking one wicket.
Mitchel remained unbeaten for a stunning 72 off 47 balls with four fours and as many as sixes. Neesham could not finish the game but smashed 27 off 11 balls and helped the Black Caps seal the game in style. Neesham hit three sixes and one four.
Devon Conway, the wicketkeeper, scored 46 off 38 balls to chase down the challenging target. In the first 10 overs, New Zealand’s score was 58 for two. In the last 10 overs, they needed to score another 109 runs, but they took only 9.o overs for that.
With this win, New Zealand also avenged their defeat in the final of the 2019 World Cup when they were beaten in an incredibly close finish by England, that too thanks to a controversial boundary-count law since scrapped by the ICC.
Earlier, Moeen Ali hit 51 off 37 balls with three fours and two sixes to guide England post a challenging total of 166 for 4 in 20 overs.
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first. They managed to keep England down to 166 runs.
England were slow at the start of the innings. They posted 37 runs in the first wicket stand in 5.1 overs. Jonny Bairstow got a chance in the XI to replace Jason Roy who has been ruled out of the World Cup due to a leg injury.
But Jonny failed to do well as he was dismissed for 13 off 17 balls with two fours. He was removed by Adam Milne.
David Malan came at number three and posted 41 off 30 balls with four fours and one six. He helped England to score some runs faster, but he failed to continue on a good run as Tim Southee removed him.
The onus was on Moeen to guide England to a challenging total, and he fulfilled his duty well. Liam Livingstone scored a quick 17 off 10 balls, but off the second ball of the last over he was caught at the boundary line.
Eventually, England ended up on 166 for four in 20 overs, with Moeen remaining unbeaten for 51. For New Zealand, Southee, Milne, James Neesham and Ish Sodhi bagged one wicket each.
This is now the highest successful T20I chase in Abu Dhabi. New Zealand surpassed Namibia’s 165 which they scored against the Netherlands in this World Cup.
And for England, it was their first World Cup semifinal defeat after 1983. They won five consecutive World Cup semifinals before this defeat. Their last defeat before this came against India was in 1983.
The second semifinal will be played on November 11 between Pakistan and Australia at 8pm Bangladesh time. The winner of the second semifinal will take on New Zealand in the final, which will take place on November 14 in Dubai.
T20 World Cup: Moeen Ali guides England to 166 vs New Zealand
Moeen Ali hit an unbeaten 51 off 37 balls with three fours and two sixes to help England post a challenging total of 166/4 against New Zealand Wednesday in the first semifinal of the T20 World Cup in Abu Dhabi.
New Zealand won the toss and chose to bowl first. They managed to restrict England to 166 runs.
The Three Lions posted 37 runs in the first wicket stand in 5.1 overs.
Jonny Bairstow replaced Jason Roy who had been ruled out of the World Cup due to injury. However, the right-handed batter was dismissed for 13 off 17 balls.
READ: Women’s ODI: Bangladesh make flying start beating Zimbabwe by 8 wkts
David Malan came to bat at number three and posted 41 off 30 balls with four fours and one six.
The onus was on Moeen to help England post a challenging total, and he fulfilled his duty well.
For New Zealand, Southee, Milne, James Neesham and Ish Sodhi bagged one wicket each.
READ: T20 World Cup 1st semifinal: NZ choose to bowl against England
T20 World Cup 1st semifinal: NZ choose to bowl against England
New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat first against England in the first semifinal of the ongoing T20 World Cup Wednesday in Abu Dhabi.
Both New Zealand and England were outstanding throughout the Super 12s stage.
Read:High on self-confidence, Kiwis eyes a slot in T20 WC final
The Black Caps had finished runners-up at the 2019 ODI World Cup after losing the final to hosts England on boundary count.
England (Playing XI)
Jos Buttler(w), Jonny Bairstow, Dawid Malan, Moeen Ali, Eoin Morgan(c), Sam Billings, Liam Livingstone, Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
Read:ICC T20 World Cup 2021 1st Semi-Final Preview: England vs. New Zealand
New Zealand (Playing XI)
Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson(c), Devon Conway(w), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult
High on self-confidence, Kiwis eyes a slot in T20 WC final
Riding high on confidence ahead of the crucial semi-final match against England, New Zealand captain Kane Williams has said that the Kiwis are waiting for another match in this year’s T20 World Cup after the semis.
This is a clear indication of the Kiwis confidence to make it to the T20 final.
Read:Bangladesh a better team than their T20 performance: Dale Steyn
The semi-final game will take place on Wednesday at 8pm Bangladesh time. New Zealand have lost only one match against Pakistan in the Super 12 stage. They won four of the five matches.
“We are so excited about the semi-final,” Williams said. “Anything can happen. We have a few players who can win the match for us, and England also have some players who can win for them. We are waiting to get another match in this year’s T20 World Cup after the semi-final.”
New Zealand have the least defeats among the teams who have played 40 or more T20I matches in the last three years.
“In the recent past, we have played some memorable matches. Now are looking forward to something bigger,” Williams said.
Read:T20 World Cup: England to take on New Zealand in first semifinal Wednesday
England and New Zealand locked horns in the final of the 2019 World Cup at Lord’s that New Zealand lost by boundary count -- a law that ICC scrapped recently from their playing condition.
New Zealand and England faced each other in 21 T20Is, and England won 12 of them. In contrast, New Zealand won seven, one was tied and another match had no result.