Dubai: Some sensational ball striking by Matthew Wade helped Australia snatch a five-wicket victory over Pakistan and book a date with New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final.
New Zealand had pulled off a similarly thrilling five-wicket win over England 24 hours earlier.
Chasing 177 to win the second final here on Thursday evening, Australia looked down and out after David Warner fell for 49 and they slumped to 96 for 5 in the 13th over, thanks to Pakistan leg-spinner Shadab Khan’s brilliant spell of 4/26.
But Wade and Marcus Stoinis had other ideas. Despite 52 runs being needed in 4 overs, the left-right combination took on the fast bowlers and struck some incredible fours and sixes.
Wade, lucky to be dropped by Hasan Ali off the third ball of Shaheen Shah Afridi in the 19th over, pounced on the hitherto impressive left-arm pacer to smack three straight sixes.
Wade’s unbeaten 41 off just 17 balls, with 2 fours and 4 sixes, left Pakistan shell-shocked. Stoinis played his part too, with 40 not out off 31 balls (2 fours and 2 sixes).
Pakistan earlier posted a healthy total of 176 for 4, thanks to a fine start by openers Mohammed Rizwan (67) and Babar Azam (39), followed up by by Fakhar Zaman’s power-packed unbeaten 55 off 32 deliveries that included 3 fours and 4 sixes.
Scores: Pakistan 176/4 in 20 overs. Australia 177/5 in 19 overs.
Result: Australia won by 5 wickets.
