Finance
Babar Azam returned to form as a resurgent .Pakistan defeated New Zealand by seven wickets to reach their first T20 World Cup final since 2009.
Babar’s side held New Zealand to 152-4 in Wednesday’s first semi-final in Sydney before reaching their target with five balls to spare, with the skipper erasing his Super 12 blues with 53 from 42 deliveries in an opening stand of 105 from 76 balls with Mohammad Rizwan (57 off 43).
The side restricted the Kiwis to 152/4, with Shaheen Afridi taking 2/24 in four overs. Mohammad Nawaz, who bowled only two overs, also took Glenn Phillips’ wicket.
Pakistan made a strong start in the run-chase as Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam returned to run-scoring, giving the team a huge boost on the big day. The pair put on a 105-run stand for the first wicket, with Babar Azam scoring 53 off 42 deliveries. Meanwhile, Rizwan scored 57 off 43 balls.
Following the departure of the duo, Mohammad Haris continued his big hitting with 30 off 26 deliveries, as Pakistan eventually won by seven wickets.
