Pakistan Vs Australia Semi Final #2 Quick Review – Marcus-Matthew match winners for Australia.
Almost identical to the first semi final – 170ish score, team batting first starts slow & accelerates at the death. Bowls well in the second innings and takes out the top order before some recovery work and a cinematic finish from the chasing team.
Brilliant semi-finals these two games. Rarely do we get to see one close game. Now, we have seen two in two days.
Match Details, Scorecard, & Video Highlights
Scorecard: Pakistan Vs Australia Video Highlights
Toss: Australia won the toss and chose to field first.
Venue: Dubai International Stadium, Dubai, UAE
Umpires: Chris Gaffaney & Richard Kettleborough
What Actually Happened – Pakistan Vs Australia
- Winner: Australia won by 5 wickets
- Scores: Pakistan 176/4 Australia 177/5
- Player of the Match: Matthew Wade 41* (17)
- Best Figures
- Mitchell Starc (4-0-38-2), Adam Zampa (4-0-22-1)
- Shadab Khan (4-0-26-4)
- Most Runs
- Mohammad Rizwan 67 (52), Fakhar Zaman 55 (32)
- David Warner 49 (30), Matthew Wade 41* (17), Marcus Stoinis 40* (31)
Moments of The Day: Rizwan, Fakhar, Shadab Shine; Warner, Stoinis, & Wade Shine Better
Pakistan’s Inning
- Mohammad Rizwan had been hospitalized for two days. He had been in the ICU for 2 days, recovering from a “severe chest infection” but had a speedy recovery. At the beginning, Babar Azam was at his silky best, but poor Rizwan could not connect. He was struggling initially, but later Babar slowed down. After Babar got out, Rizwan 2.0 took action, ending at 67.
- Fakhar Zaman was one of the two players in the XI who had not yet made a significant contribution thus far in Pakistan’s campaign. Today he was magnificent, especially against Mitchell Starc. To dig up yorkers with full swing bat at that speed is insane skill. He built on Rizwan’s knock and got Pakistan to a par score of 176.
Australia’s Inning
- The first over by Shaheen Shah Afridi was the best over of the tournament. First ball, beats Warner. Then, a nervy single. 3rd ball – perfect good length delivery to LBW Aaron Finch for a golden duck. The 4th ball was my favorite – swinging toe crushing yorker with the appeal of the ages. Unfortunately it was not given out by the umpire, and it was umpire’s call on review. Mitchell Marsh got a close one a ball later. Beat his bat and close to the stumps. Pakistan ahead, crowd on fire.
- Then came David Warner’s time, a man under pressure by his IPL team who has devoted half a decade to. Having already scored a couple of fifties, he was on song today. Despite Shaheen’s wicket up front, he made sure the pressure does not build up. A brilliant 49 with a couple of interesting moments (look at the videos below).
The Finish
- Then came the finishers, Stoinis and Wade. Both have excelled in the BBL as openers, but Australia do not have space up top. Although Stoinis sharpened his finishing skills at the IPL, Wade was not a recognized finisher. They had come together earlier against South Africa to win a close game together, but this chase was a different beast altogether.
- 96/5 after 12.2 overs with in-form Maxwell gone. Pakistan has one foot in the finals. Wade was nudging the singles as Stoinis took control. 13 runs in the 17th over off Haris Rauf. Stoinis 38* (27), Wade 8* (9).
- Then Hasan Ali’s over came and Wade fired 15 including a six. Got his timing back. Now 22 off two with Shaheen in, Pakistan still marginally ahead. Third ball, Wade hits it and is dropped by Hasan Ali. Next 3 balls,
- Scooped for 6!
- Huge six over – Magnificent (especially with Ian Bishop’s voice in the background)
- Another scoop! Australia win.
Why not have a look below yourself!
For comparison, here is the Michael Hussey sixes a decade earlier in a similar scenario. Pakistan Vs Australis semi-final in the 2010 T20 World Cup Semi-Final. 50 needed in the last 4 and 17 in the final over. Hussey seals it in style.
Funny Moments of the Day – Feat David Warner
Here are two of the most peculiar moments you will see in cricket – (1) A double bounced ball (that was called a no ball) and Warner hits it for six, and (2) Warner walks…with no ultraedge.
Broken Cricket Dream of the Day: Hasan Ali Feels The Heat
Hasan Ali’s dropped got some harsh words from captain Babar Azam after the game and even worse, by the social media community. Some of his family members, especially his wife, received abuse and threats due to their nationality and religious beliefs.
Cruel world we live in. Broken dream…everyone goes through tough phases. Hasan Ali is a legend. He will remain one.
In any case, Congratulations to the Pakistan cricket team and Pakistan fans for the wonderful memories! This has been an amazing tournament for Pakistan, especially after the cancellations that came earlier (from England and NZ).
Matchwinners throughout, great fielders, and youth galore. Positive future for this team. Keep the hopes up.
Also Read: 200th Article Special: 5 Things I have Learned From My Journey of Cricket Writing
T20 World Cup Points Table, Most Runs, Wickets, Catches, Dismissals
After this Pakistan Vs Australia semi-final, here are the updated stats.
- Babar Azam – 303 runs (Pakistan, 6 Matches), David Warner – 236 runs (Australia, 6 matches)
- Wanindu Hasaranga – 16 wickets (Sri Lanka, 8 Matches), Adam Zampa – 12 wickets (Australia, 6 matches)
- Calum MacLeod – 8 catches (Scotland, 7 Matches), Steve Smith – 7 catches (Australia, 6 matches)
- Matthew Wade – 8 dismissals (Australia, 6 Matches)
© Copyright @Nitesh Mathur and Broken Cricket Dreams, 2021. Originally published on 11/12/2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Broken Cricket Dreams with appropriate and specific direction to the original content (i.e. linked to the exact post/article).
Image Courtesy: Graphic (original work), Kyle Coetzer – Photo by Francois Nel-ICC/ICC via Getty Images, Mahmudullah – Photo by Mike Hewitt-ICC/ICC via Getty Images
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