T20 World Cup
ICC T20 World Cup 2022: How Hard is Bangladesh’s Group 2?
The Bangladesh national men’s cricket team will play in Group 2 of the Super 12 round in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022. They don’t have to take part in the first round to qualify for the next phase, as they had to in the previous edition. It’s certainly an improvement for the team Tigers, but the teams they will face in the main event will definitely give them a hard time. Besides, the Australian conditions are another major concern for the players' ability to show their true potential in the tournament. Let’s take a look at the teams that Bangladesh will face in Group 2.
2022 T20 World Cup: The participating teams in Group 2
The confirmed participating teams in Group 2 are Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and South Africa. Two more teams will join the group after competing in the first round. Given their respective strengths, the West Indies and Netherlands are likely to advance to the Super 12 Group 2 phase.
Given the current form and strengths, Bangladesh will have to face some tough competition in Group 2. South Africa, Pakistan, and India are the top four T20I teams according to the ICC. On the other hand, if West Indies qualify to play in this group, then facing them will also be a real challenge for the Bangladesh T20I team. Recently, they lost a T20I series against the Caribbean side 2-0. Overall, Bangladesh have five wins and nine defeats against the Windies.
Read West Indies vs India Series 2022: Head-to-Head Stats and Full Fixtures
Bangladesh's only hope of winning a game will be against the team that finishes second in Group A in the first round. Except for that match, the other opponents will start as favourites against Bangladesh in their remaining matches. Bangladesh’s records against the other three confirmed teams in the group are very poor. Therefore, expecting good results against them in unfavourable conditions would not be realistic.
Bangladesh’s T20I records against India, Pakistan, and South Africa ( as on July 20, 2022)
Opposition
Match
Bangladesh Win
Bangladesh Lose
India
11
1
10
Pakistan
15
2
13
South Africa
7
0
7
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
The majority of Bangladeshi players also lack sufficient experience playing in Australian settings. There will be quick, bouncy pitches which are also suitable for batting. Bangladesh's players must quickly adjust to the environment to exhibit some tenacity against these formidable opponents.
Read England vs South Africa Series 2022: Full Fixtures, H2H Records
Bangladesh’s Super 12 fixtures in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022
The 2022 ICC Twenty20 World Cup will begin on October 16. Bangladesh will start their World Cup campaign with a match against the Group A runner-up from the first round. Team Tigers will end their Super 12 phase with a match against Pakistan. Overall, Bangladesh will play five matches in this phase. Here are the complete Super 12 fixtures of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh vs Group A Runner-Up : October 24 | Venue: Bellerive Oval, Hobart | Start Time: 10 a.m. (BST)
Bangladesh vs South Africa : October 27 | Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | Start Time: 9 a.m. (BST)
Bangladesh vs Group B Winner : October 30 | Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane | Start Time: 9 a.m. (BST)
Bangladesh vs India : November 2 | Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide | Start Time: 2 p.m. (BST)
Bangladesh vs Pakistan : November 6 | Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide | Start Time: 10 a.m. (BST)
Bottom Line
The majority of Bangladesh’s opponents in Group 2 of the Super 12 phase are the ICC’s top-ranked teams. Teams like India, Pakistan, and South Africa are among the favourites to win the ICC T20 World Cup 2022. The West Indies can also surprise everyone if the team finds the right combination during the main event. Therefore, Bangladesh have no realistic chance to qualify for the semifinals. Their main objective in the competition is to compete fearlessly against the difficult rivals. Bangladesh’s 2022 Twenty20 World Cup campaign will be deemed a success if they are able to do this.
Read Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh Series 2022: Full Fixtures and Head-to-Head Records
T20 World Cup 2022: Bangladesh to Face India, Pakistan in the Super 12 Round
The ICC has released the qualifying and Super 12 round schedules for the T20 World Cup 2022. The mega-event will take place in Australia from October 16 to November 13. There will be a qualifying phase prior to the actual event. The champions and runner-ups from each group of qualifiers will advance to the Super 12 round. Bangladesh will directly compete in the main event and will face India and Pakistan in the tournament's super 12 round. Let's take a look at Bangladesh's schedule for the 2022 Twenty20 World Cup.
Who will play with whom in the Twenty20 World Cup 2022 Qualifiers?
The tournament will be held in seven Australian stadiums: Adelaide Oval, Brisbane's The Gabba, Geelong's Kardinia Park, Hobart's Bellerive Oval, Perth Stadium, Melbourne Cricket Ground, and Sydney Cricket Ground. The competition will take place between mid-October and mid-November.
The qualifiers are divided into two groups. Namibia, Sri Lanka, and two other teams from the ICC's global qualifiers will play in Group A for a place in the Super 12. Scotland, the West Indies, and two other teams from the ICC's global qualifiers will compete in group B for a berth in the Super 12 round.
Read BPL8: Khulna overcome stiff target with relative ease thanks to batters
Sri Lanka are predicted to come out on top in Group A. If they finish first in the qualifying stage, Sri Lanka will join England, Australia, and New Zealand in Group 1. The runner-up in Group A will be sent to Group 2. Caribbean team West Indies may finish top in group B and meet the teams from group 2 in the super 12 round. The runner-up in Group B will compete in the Super 12 Round's Group 1.
T20 World Cup 2022: Super 12s Fixtures
Each group's top two teams will move to the semifinals. The championship match will be played on November 13.
The groups were formed based on the ICC's T20I team rankings after the end of the Twenty20 World Cup 2021. Group 1 includes Afghanistan, Australia, England, and New Zealand. Two more teams from the qualification stage will join them.
Group 2 includes former champions India and Pakistan, as well as South Africa and Bangladesh. This group will also include two additional teams from the qualifiers. Fans from the subcontinent will be looking forward to the Super 12 round matches between India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Read BPL 2022: Barishal off to flying start beating Chattogram
Let's look at the two groups
Group 1
Group 2
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Australia
India
England
Pakistan
New Zealand
South Africa
Winner of Group A
Winner of Group B
Runner-Up of Group B
Runner-Up Group A
Source: https://www.icc-cricket.com/
The Super 12 Round will kick off on October 22 at the Sydney Cricket Ground with a match between Australia and New Zealand. On the other hand, the MCG in Melbourne will host the first match of Group 2 between India and Pakistan on October 23. Bangladesh's first match will take place in Hobart on October 24.
Read BPL 2022: Chattogram post 121 in opening match
Bangladesh’s Super 12 Round Fixtures
Date
Fixtures
Ground
October 24th, 2022
Bangladesh vs Runner-up (Group A)
Bellerive Oval, Hobart
October 27th, 2022
Bangladesh vs South Africa
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
October 30th, 2022
Bangladesh vs Winner (Group B)
The Gabba, Brisbane
November 2nd, 2022
Bangladesh vs India
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
November 6th, 2022
Bangladesh vs Pakistan
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Source: https://www.icc-cricket.com/
Bottom Line
Australia's 2020 World Cup was canceled due to the advent of the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of Australia, India staged the big event in the UAE and Oman last year in the October-November window. The ICC's general meeting in 2021 confirmed Australia as the host country for the T20 World Cup 2022 after the country was unable to host the tournament's seventh edition.
According to the schedule, This is the first time India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh will be playing in the same group of Twenty20 World Cup history. On the other hand, the arch-rivals Australia and England will face off in the Super 12s. Fans and spectators may not even be permitted into the stadium depending on the covid-19 situation in Australia in October. The upcoming Twenty20 World Cup 2022 is projected to be a very competitive event.
Read U-19 World Cup: Big win for Bangladesh against Canada
Rizwan reveals secrets of Pakistan’s strength in T20 WC
Pakistan opener Mohammad Rizwan has revealed what had been their strength during the just-concluded T20 World Cup where Pakistan progressed to the semi-final.
Rizwan was one of the players who drew the attention of millions during the event. He played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s success in T20Is in recent years.
“Not losing wickets in powerplay and getting early breakthroughs in the powerplay was our strength in the T20 World Cup,” Rizwan said through a video message after arriving in Bangladesh.
Also read: Rizwan spends two nights in a hospital with chest infection
Pakistan will take on the hosts in a three-match T20 and two-match Test series. The first T20I of the series will take place on November 19 in Mirpur.
The Pakistan opener became the first batter in history to score 1000 or more runs in T20Is in a calendar year. He credited Richard Pybus, Inzamam ul Haq and Shahid Aslam for his success.
“I'm happy that I have scored the most runs in the calendar year. But I'm more delighted that I was able to secure this record for my country,” Rizwan told the media.
Also read: Australia pull off late comeback to kill Pakistan's World Cup dream
Pakistan team conducted their first training session on Monday at the BCB Academy ground. Rizwan was not part of the first day’s practice. He is expected to start preparation on Tuesday.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam and veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik are yet to join the team. They are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Top 10 Memorable Moments from T20 World Cup 2021
Australia won their first Twenty20 World Cup title after defeating New Zealand by 8 wickets in the championship match in Dubai. It was New Zealand's third World Cup final defeat in a row. Australia's David Warner was named player of the tournament for his consistent performance throughout the competition. There were a total of 1 hundred, 405 sixes, 944 boundaries, and 526 wickets in 45 matches. Let's take a look back at the best 10 memorable moments from the T20 World Cup 2021.
T20 World Cup 2021: The 10 Unforgettable moments
The 2021 Twenty20 World Cup is filled with memorable experiences. Here are the top ten most notable moments.
10) Bangladesh's embarrassing loss to Scotland
Bangladesh's World Cup campaign had begun with a disheartening 6-run defeat against Scotland. If they hadn't won their next two games against Oman and Papua New Guinea, they could have been eliminated from the competition at the qualifying stage. The major upset in the seventh edition of the Twenty20 World Cup was Bangladesh's defeat to Scotland.
Read T20WC Final: Wonderful Williamson propels NZ to 172/4
9) India's amazing 210/2 total against Afghanistan
The highest and only 200+ score in the tournament was India's 210/2 against Afghanistan in the Super 12 Round. India eventually won the match by a margin of 66 runs.
8) The five-wicket hauls of Mujeeb and Zampa
Mujeeb Ur Rahman of Afghanistan and Australia's Adam Zampa were the only two bowlers in the competition to take 5 wickets in an innings. Mujeeb took 5/20 against Scotland, helping his team to a stunning 130-run victory. On the other hand, Zampa grabbed 5/19 against Bangladesh and helped Australia win by 8 wickets.
7) Namibia's incredible run in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021
Ireland and the Netherlands were the favorites to proceed to the Super 12 round from Group A. However, Namibia surprised everyone by qualifying for the next round. They had maintained their dream run in the competition with a good victory against Scotland in the Super 12s.
Read Thumb injury rules Tamim out of Pakistan series
6) Jos Buttler’s unbeaten 101* against Sri Lanka
Jos Buttler of England was the tournament's only centurion. He became the only English player to score a century across all formats with an unbroken 101*-run knock against Sri Lanka in the Super 12 Round.
5) Mitchell Marsh's match-winning knock in the final
The Australian team management was split on whether Mitchell Marsh deserved a spot in the playing XI. The all-rounder proved everyone wrong with a decisive 77 off 50 balls knock in the final.
4) Australia and New Zealand put up sensational run chases in the semi-finals
England and Pakistan were favorites against New Zealand and Australia, respectively in the semi-finals. Though the two Oceania nations knocked out both of the favorites. Interestingly, New Zealand and Australia won their respective matches by chasing down challenging totals.
Read T20WC Final: Australia bowl first in quest for maiden title
3) India's exit from the Super 12 Round
India were a heavy favourite to win the T20 World Cup 2021, but their exit from the Super 12 Round was all but confirmed following two consecutive losses to Pakistan and New Zealand.
2) Pakistan's first victory over India in a World Cup match
Pakistan had never beaten India in a World Cup match prior to this event. Finally, Pakistan defeated India in their first match of the Twenty20 World Cup 2021. They thrashed India by ten wickets in a one-sided affair.
1) Outstanding Four wickets in four deliveries by Curtis Campher
Irish pacer Curtis Campher became the third bowler in T20I history to grab four wickets in consecutive deliveries after Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga and Afghan spinner Rashid Khan. He accomplished the feat against the Netherlands in a Group A qualifier match. Ireland won the match by 7 wickets.
Read ICC T20 World Cup 2021 Final: Which Players would make it to an Australia-New Zealand Combined T20I XI?
Aftermath
Asian sides were regarded as favorites to win the T20 World Cup 2021. Though, only Pakistan made it to the semi-finals among the Asian teams. Champion Australia were in bad shape prior to the main event. However, they gradually improved as the competition progressed and finally won the tournament. On the other side, New Zealand had yet another heartbreaking World Cup event. They lost the title match to arch-rival Australia after failing to implement their tactics on the field. Australia will host the eighth edition of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup next year.
Magical Marsh powers Australia to maiden T20 World Cup title
Mitchell Marsh hit 77 not out after an outstanding bowling spell by Josh Hazlewood to help Australia lift their maiden T20 World Cup title against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday.
Hazlewood's 3/16 off 4 overs helped restrict New Zealand to 172 for 4 before all-rounder Marsh, bolstered by in-form David Warner, struck a match-winning half-century to inflict yet more misery on New Zealand in ICC World Cup Finals.
Kane Williamson, leading his side in a third consecutive ICC world championship final since 2019 (NZ also played the final of the 2015 ODI World Cup under Brendan McCullum), compiled a masterful 85 to help guide his team to a challenging total after losing the toss.
In reply, David Warner and Marsh hit a fifty each to guide the mighty Aussies to their maiden T20 World Cup in their second finals appearance. Australia played their first T20 World Cup final back in 2010 which they lost to England.
Warner won the player of the tournament award for his outstanding performances throughout the tournament (289 runs), and Marsh won the award for player of the final for taking the game away from New Zealand from the moment he hit the first ball he faced for six.
Read:ICC T20 World Cup 2021 Final: Which Players would make it to an Australia-New Zealand Combined T20I XI?
ICC T20 World Cup 2021 Final: Which Players would make it to an Australia-New Zealand Combined T20I XI?
The final match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 between arch-rivals Australia and New Zealand will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (November 14). Both teams are well-prepared for the much-anticipated championship match and will be vying for their first Twenty20 World Cup title. Australia and New Zealand both have a number of outstanding World Class players. They have the ability to turn a game around and can easily make any national team's playing XI. Let's see who can make it to a combined Australia-New Zealand T20I XI.
ICC T20 World Cup 2021 combined T20I XI: Australia-New Zealand
One of the best opening pairs in this year's T20 World Cup is Australia's David Warner and Aaron Finch. On the other hand, Kiwi pacers Tim Southee and Trent Boult are causing panic in the opposition camp. New Zealand batsmen have had a lot more success in the middle order in comparison to Australia. Among the spinners, Ish Sodhi and Adam Zampa have bowled brilliantly. Let's see who make it into the playing XI.
1) David Warner (Australia)
T20 WC’21 M: 6 | Runs: 236 | HS: 89* | SR: 148.42
David Warner has been one of the best players at the World Cup thus far. His consistency has aided Australia's second-place finish in Group 1 of the Super 12 Round. Warner also laid the foundation for Australia's run chase in the semifinal encounter against Pakistan.
Read Women’s ODI: Bangladesh win 3-match ODI series beating Zimbabwe by 9 wkt
2) Martin Guptill (New Zealand)
T20 WC’21 M: 6 | Runs: 180 | HS: 93 | SR: 131.38
Martin Guptill has regained his groove and delivered an important knock against Scotland in the Super 12 Round. He is one of the leading run-scorers in the openers.
3) Aaron Finch (Captain, Australia)
T20 WC’21 M: 6 | Runs: 130 | HS: 44 | SR: 119.26
Aaron Finch edged out Kane Williamson for the no.3 spot due to his better strike rate in the competition. The Australian captain Finch will be one of the key players in the final.
Read: T20 World Cup: Finalists eye maiden title in shortest format
4) Mitchell Marsh (Australia)
T20 WC’21 M: 5 | Runs: 108 | HS: 53 | SR: 142.10
Mitchell Marsh has been on a roll this year. Marsh has also been the most consistent middle-order batsman for Australia in this tournament.
5) Glenn Phillips (New Zealand)
T20 WC’21 M: 6 | Runs: 87 | HS: 39* | SR: 112.98
Glenn Phillips plays an important role in New Zealand's middle order. He has performed well for the Kiwis thus far, and he has the potential to become a match-winner in the tournament final.
Read T20 World Cup: Finalists eye maiden title in shortest format
6) James Neesham (New Zealand)
T20 WC’21 M: 6 | Runs: 73 | HS: 35* | SR: 173.80 | Wkts: 3 | BBI: 1/6 | Econ: 6.60
New Zealand defeated England in the first semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2021 thanks to James Neesham's aggressive batting. His all-round performance could be the deciding factor in the final match against Australia.
7) Mathew Wade (Australia, wicket-keeper)
T20 WC’21 M: 6 | Runs: 74 | HS: 41* | SR: 164.44
Mathew Wade steered Australia to the final with a blazing knock against Pakistan in the second semi-final. Wade has the most dismissals (8) in the tournament.
Read T20 World Cup 2021 Final: Preview of Australia vs. New Zealand Match
8) Tim Southee (New Zealand)
T20 WC’21 M: 6 | Wkts: 8 | BBI: 2/15 | Econ: 5.75
Tim Southee is a genuine breakthrough bowler in limited-version cricket. However, more importantly, he has one of the best economic rates in this World Cup.
9) Trent Boult (New Zealand)
T20 WC’21 M: 6 | Wkts: 11 | BBI: 3/17 | Econ: 6.54
Left-arm pacer Trent Boult is one of the most destructive bowlers of his generation. He has been in outstanding form in this competition and will lead New Zealand's bowling attack in the final against Australia.
Read: Pakistani cricket team arrives in Dhaka
10) Adam Zampa (Australia)
T20 WC’21 M: 6 | Wkts: 12 | BBI: 5/19 | Econ: 5.69
Australia's leg-spinner Adam Zampa has been the most successful bowler in the T20 World Cup 2021 so far. In addition, he is one of the tournament's most economical bowlers. New Zealand batters will certainly find it difficult to deal with his bowling in the tournament final.
11) Ish Sodhi (New Zealand)
T20 WC’21 M: 6 | Wkts: 9 | BBI: 2/17 | Econ: 7.33
Ish Sodhi has given the batters a great deal of trouble in the middle overs in this tournament. He has been productive with his leg break deliveries against big opponents. That is why Sodhi may be an important asset for New Zealand in the championship match against Australia.
Read Pakistan cricket team arrive in Dhaka Saturday
Afterward
Picking the best-combined XI from two of the top international teams is never straightforward. Australia-New Zealand combined T20I XI has been selected depending on the performances in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2021. These players have exhibited consistency, and their performances have had a meaningful impact on the results of the matches. All eyes will be on these cricketers in the Twenty20 World Cup 2021 final match between Australia and New Zealand.
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.