T20 World Cup: Babar Azam and I saved saved believing, says Mohammad Rizwan after discovering type in semi-final

T20 World Cup 2022: Mohammad Rizwan scored a match-winning 57 within the semi-final in opposition to New Zealand, proving naysayers improper as he overcame a lean patch. Captain Babar Azam additionally chipped in with a fifty on Wednesday.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Nov 9, 2022 17:37 IST

Mohammad Rizwan hit a match-winning 57 within the semi-final vs New Zealand (AP Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam proved naysayers improper by stepping up within the big-ticket semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022 in opposition to New Zealand in Sydney on Wednesday. Questions had been requested of their method and strike price within the Super 12 stage of the event however Babar and Rizwan hit match-winning fifties as Pakistan outclassed New Zealand within the first semi-final by 7 wickets.

After having dominated the batting charts within the lead-up to the T20 World Cup, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan didn’t get stepping into Australia as Pakistan had been on the point of elimination after defeats to arch-rivals India and Zimbabwe of their first two matches. However, their center order stepped up with the likes of Iftikhar Ahmad, Mohammad Haris and Shan Masood and Shadab Khan chipping in with the bat at essential junctures.

Babar Azam had scored solely 39 runs in 5 matches and Mohammad Rizwan 103 runs within the Super 12 stage of T20 World Cup. The duo was criticised for the lack to maintain the scoreboard transferring and fairly just a few former cricketers additionally prompt Babar drop down the batting order.

New Zealand vs Pakistan, T20 World Cup Highlights

However, it was Babar and Rizwan who tore into the highly-rated New Zealand assault within the semi-final, stitching a 105-run partnership in simply 76 balls as Pakistan chased down a 153-run goal in simply 19.1 overs. Babar and Rizwan struck at a wholesome price within the powerplay as Pakistan deflated New Zealand’s hopes by scoring 55 runs within the powerplay.

Babar received to his fifty in 38 balls whereas Rizwan received there in 37 balls, placing their fingers up for Pakistan on the massive evening in Sydney.

“Luckily, the fifty was in the semifinal. Babar and I were struggling but we worked hard and believed. We kept fighting. When we crossed the boundary line, we decided to take the attack to the new ball bowlers. When we finished the powerplay, we knew one of us had to bat deep as it was a tricky pitch,” Rizwan, who was named the Player of the Match within the semi-final, mentioned.

‘WE KEPT BELIEVING’

Rizwan mentioned Pakistan by no means stopped believing in themselves at the same time as they had been on the point of elimination after their shock loss to Zimbabwe. Pakistan had been handed a lifeline on the ultimate matchday of the Super 12 stage because the Netherlands shocked South Africa.

Pakistan made full use of the lifeline and defeated Bangladesh within the digital quarter-final in Adelaide.

Pakistan had been scientific with each bat and ball as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz stepped with the ball, limiting New Zealand to only 152 in 20 overs.

“Our start to the tournament wasn’t good but the guys kept believing,” Rizwan added.

Pakistan, who reached their third T20 World Cup last, will tackle the winner of the second semi-final between India and England within the huge last in Melbourne on November 13.

Published On:

Nov 9, 2022