Chasing 165, England reached 166-8 in 19.1 overs, sealing victory with five balls to spare and confirming their place in the last four.

England’s innings began in turmoil as Shaheen Shah Afridi struck twice in his opening spell, dismissing Phil Salt for a duck and Jos Buttler for two.

He later removed Jacob Bethell and finished with outstanding figures of 4-30, leaving England struggling at 35-3 inside five over.

READ MORE: Santer’s New Zealand ready for Sri Lanka’s spin challenge

Brook, however, turned the tide with a magnificent 100 off 51 balls, smashing 10 fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 196.07. He anchored the chase and counterattacked under pressure, keeping England ahead of the required rate.

Pakistan fought back through Usman Tariq and Mohammad Nawaz, who picked up two wickets each. When Brook fell at 155-6 in the 17th over, the match hung in the balance.

But England held their nerve in the closing stages. Jofra Archer struck a boundary in the penultimate over, while Liam Dawson stayed unbeaten to guide the side home.

Earlier, Pakistan had posted 164-9 after opting to bat.

Sahibzada Farhan top-scored with 63 off 45 balls, hitting seven fours and two sixes.

Babar Azam made 25, while Fakhar Zaman (25 off 16) and Shadab Khan (23 off 11) provided momentum in the middle and death overs.

However, Pakistan lost wickets constantly in death overs, falling short of what proved a slightly below-par total.

For England, Liam Dawson returned 3-24, while Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton claimed two wickets each to keep Pakistan in check.

The result sends England into the semifinals, while Pakistan’s campaign faces uncertainty after the narrow defeat.

The Greenshirts now need a big win over Sri Lanka on Sunday and favourable results in other matches to stay in contention.

Pakistan lost their Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand by 60 runs in Karachi on Thursday. They will now face arch-rivals India in a Champions Trophy blockbuster on Sunday in front of a sell-out Dubai crowd knowing that another defeat will virtually end their title defence.

“We must not see ourselves as underdogs. Fearless cricket, strategic bowling, and a solid batting approach will be key,” Qasim said while speaking exclusively to Business Recorder on the eve of the crucial Champions Trophy clash.

“Play smart, aggressive cricket”

The former chief selector backed Imam-ul-Haq over Usman Khan for Pakistan’s crucial match against India, citing Imam’s experience and consistency at the international level.

“Yes, Usman is a good hitter, but he does not have performances at the international level. On the other hand, Imam has performed consistently and has the stamina to play longer innings,” Qasim said.

However, he emphasized that whoever gets the opportunity on Sunday must make the most of it.

Qasim also advised Pakistani batters to keep rotating the strike and take full advantage of loose deliveries to maximize the scoring rate.

Bowling concerns

Weak spin department

Qasim, who is Pakistan’s most successful left-arm spinner with 171 Test wickets, pointed out the national team’s weakness in the spin department.

“With just one specialist spinner, we heavily rely on part-timers. India, on the contrary, has three strong spinners, two of whom are proper all-rounders,” Qasim said.

He highlighted Pakistan’s struggles against quality spin and feared that this could be a big challenge for our batters.

Fast bowling and death overs struggles

Qasim noted that Pakistan’s fast bowlers have been inconsistent, particularly in the final overs, leaking too many runs.

“Our fast bowlers are playing based on past performances. But that won’t last long,” he said, urging them to focus on discipline and containment rather than sheer pace.

“We are giving away too many runs in the last 10 overs. Instead of looking for wickets, we should focus on restricting runs,” Qasim advised.

Pakistan are heavily reliant on pacers in their title defence. However, Qasim believed they hadn’t been up to the mark.

“Look at Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi. Together, the two bowlers conceded 151 runs in their 20 overs against New Zealand,” he concluded.

The tournament, which was supposed to be held Down Under in 2020 but was pushed back two years due to coronavirus, will take place between October 16 and November 13.

A total of 45 matches will be contested across Adelaide, Brisbane, Geelong, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, with the final under lights at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Sydney and Adelaide will host the semis.

"Following the success of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in 2020 (in Australia) and a two-year postponement, our sights are now firmly set on planning for the 2022 event," said International Cricket Council head of events Chris Tetley.

'It was fate': Finch admits toss 'big factor' in T20 World Cup win

Hosts Australia will be defending champions after hammering New Zealand by eight wickets in Dubai on Sunday, with both of this year's finalists automatically qualifying for the Super 12 stage along with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, England, India, Pakistan and South Africa who are the eight highest-ranked teams.

Sri Lanka and the West Indies will play the preliminary round with Namibia, Scotland and four other countries to be determined through two qualifying tournaments -- in Oman in February and in Zimbabwe in June-July, 2022.

Babar, the lone Pakistani in the playing-eleven, was the highest scorer in the T20 World Cup with 303 runs at an average of 60.60, and hit four half-centuries in six matches. His team was knocked out in the semi-final.

Left-arm fast-bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi was named the 12th player.

Surprisingly, the 12-man squad excludes Pakistan’s second-highest scorer Mohammad Rizwan.

The selection panel, led by West Indian great Ian Bishop, said they had an unenviable task of narrowing it down to just 11 players after so many performances across 45 matches. On Rizwan’s absence, Bishop said:

“The top three in the order were so outstanding that we could not leave any of them out. Notable absentees include Mohammed Rizwan who was simply outstanding and courageous in his performance. However, we could not fit him into the team too far outside of the opening position where he is most suited and successful, nor ahead of those selected.”

Players who made it to the XI are:

David Warner

289 runs at 48.16. Strike rate of 146.70.

Jos Buttler

269 runs at 89.66. Strike rate of 151.12.

Babar Azam (Capt)

303 runs at 60.60. Strike rate of 126.25.

Charith Asalanka

231 runs at 46.20. Strike rate of 147.13.

Aiden Markram

162 runs at 54. Strike rate of 145.94.

Moeen Ali

92 runs at 46. Strike rate of 131.42. 7 wickets at 11.00. Economy of 5.50.

Wanindu Hasaranga

16 wickets at 9.75. The economy of 5.20. And 119 runs at 23.90. Strike rate of 148.75.

Adam Zampa

13 wickets at 12.07. Economy of 5.81.

Josh Hazlewood

11 wickets at 15.90. Economy of 7.29.

Trent Boult

13 wickets at 13.30. Economy of 6.25

Anrich Nortje

Nine wickets at 11.55. Economy of 5.37

Shaheen Afridi (12th man)

Seven wickets at 24.14. Economy of 7.04

Australia thrashed New Zealand by eight wickets in Dubai after Mitchell Marsh hit an unbeaten 77 to steer the team home to their target of 173 in 18.5 overs.

The flip of the coin weighed heavily in the tournament with teams chasing having a clear advantage due to the night-time dew in the United Arab Emirates.

Teams bowling first won 12 of 13 matches played at the Dubai International Stadium.

"It did play a big factor to be honest," Finch said on being how he ensured the call of the coin fell in his favour.

"I tried to play it down as much as I could because I thought at some point in the tournament I'm going to lose a toss and we'll have to bat first.

"But it did play a big part. You saw at the end there, the dew factor, the slow balls weren't holding in the wicket as much. I don't know how I did it (win the tosses). Maybe it was just fate."

Finch got out early for five but Marsh and David Warner, who hit 53, put on 92 for the second wicket then set up the chase to perfection.

Australia came into the semi-final with four wins and a loss to England in the Super 12 stage - the only game where Finch lost the toss.

The Aussies were bowled out for 125 after being invited to bat first by Eoin Morgan's team who overhauled the target in 11.4 overs.

'This is huge' as Marsh powers Australia to T20 World Cup title

But the result was just a blip in Australia's otherwise strong campaign that finished with two clinical chases including beating Pakistan in the semi-final with one over to spare.

However New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson did not make much of the issue and admitted to having been outplayed by a champion side.

"I mean, it did have an effect. Some dew did come in. But take nothing away from the quality of Australia," Williamson told reporters.

"They came out in the final and played superbly well. You know, credit goes to them and the way they played their cricket for the last three weeks."

Australia coach Justin Langer had earlier talked about the team's readiness to face any situation and revealed that Finch wanted to bat first against Pakistan but was "talked out" of it.

Chasing 173 for victory, Australia depended on a 92-run second-wicket stand between David Warner, who made 53, and Marsh to achieve their target with seven balls to spare in Dubai.

Warner became Trent Boult's second wicket but Marsh kept up the charge to power Australia home to their long-awaited T20 crown and add to their five 50-over World Cup trophies.

Glenn Maxwell, who made 28, joined Marsh, who hit six fours and four sixes in his 50-ball knock, to put on 66 runs and hit the winning boundary.

"This is huge, to be the first Australian team to do it. I am so proud of how the guys went about the campaign," said Finch.

Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade said victory showed why Australia should not be under-estimated.

"We felt like a lot of people wrote us off but we spoke about being the first team to do this for Australia and it feels really special," he said.

Skipper Kane Williamson hit a valiant 85 in New Zealand's 172-4 after being invited to bat first in a crucial toss won by Finch.

Teams bowling first won 12 of 13 matches played at the Dubai International Stadium.

"They're a fantastic side, had a brilliant campaign and came out and turned it on," admitted Williamson.

Australia, whose previous best was a runners-up finish in 2010, came into this edition's semi-final with one loss to England and beat Pakistan in the final-four clash with a chase of 177.

Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood returned figures of 3-16 and leg-spinner Adam Zampa had 1-26.

'Superb player'

"Kane's a superb player," said Hazlewood. "It was another classical innings, runs all around the ground and he hurts you when you bowl poorly."

Australia suffered an early blow in their chase when Finch departed for five off Boult as a largely neutral but not packed-to-capacity crowd roared.

But the left-right batting pair of Warner and Marsh combined to take apart the bowling with fours and sixes galore.

Marsh hit Adam Milne for one six and two fours on his first three balls of the knock to signal his ruthless intent.

Warner also kept up his punishing act as he hammered leg-spinner Ish Sodhi for 17 runs in one over with just a single to Marsh.

He smoked Jimmy Neesham for a six to raise his third half-century of the tournament but soon fell to Boult.

Warner, with 289 runs in total, ended second behind Pakistan's Babar Azam (303) in the tournament's batting chart.

Earlier Williamson, who was dropped on 21, started cautiously but once settled took on the opposition bowling to reach his first half-century of the tournament.

He finished with 10 fours and three sixes in his 48-ball blitz to lift New Zealand from 57-1 in 10.

The Kiwis initially struggled and lost Daryl Mitchell caught behind for 11 off Hazlewood.

Opening batsman Martin Guptill failed to get quick runs despite his three boundaries and a 48-run second-wicket stand with Williamson. Williamson survived a spill by Hazlewood in the deep with the ball popping out of the fielder's hand to find the boundary. Pace spearhead Mitchell Starc was the bowler.

The captain hit back with two more fours off left-arm quick Starc who was taken for 60 runs from his four overs, to get some momentum into the innings.

Zampa sent Guptill trudging back to the dugout after the opener's 35-ball 28 but Williamson kept up the charge with two sixes off Maxwell. Williamson again picked out Starc to smash four fours and one six in a 22-run 16th over and put on 68 with Glenn Phillips, who made 18.

Hazlewood returned in his final over to break the stand with Phillips' wicket and then got Williamson out with a leg-cutter.

The seventh edition of the tournament was moved out of India due to the coronavirus pandemic to be staged in Oman and United Arab Emirates.

New Zealand and Australia renew their trans-Tasman rivalry in Dubai as both teams look to clinch their maiden world title in the shortest format.

It's a hat-trick of ICC finals for the once perennial underdogs of world cricket after they outplayed India to win the inaugural Test championship in June.

They beat favourites England in the semi-final to avenge their 2019 defeat in a dramatic 50-over World Cup final at Lord's when they went down on boundary count after a super over.

Head coach Gary Stead said the Black Caps are excited to take on the Australian challenge in what will be their first ever T20 World Cup final appearance.

"That's probably a final that I'm not sure too many people would have predicted a month or so ago, Australia and New Zealand," said Stead.

The Kiwis though have suffered an injury blow after wicketkeeper Devon Conway was ruled out following a broken hand when he punched his bat on his dismissal in the semi-final.

Tim Seifert is set to take over the wicketkeeping duties from Conway who made 129 runs at the event with an average of just over 32.

"Obviously the loss of Devon is a big one. He's been a big part of all formats for us. It's a disappointing and really freak thing to happen," admitted Williamson.

Aaron Finch's Australians, who have won the 50-over World Cup five times, beat title favourites Pakistan by five wickets in the second semi-final.

Australia were in trouble at 96-5 while chasing 177 on Thursday when Marcus Stoinis (40) and Matthew Wade (41) put on an unbeaten partnership of 82 and win by an over to spare.

Australia T20 final with New Zealand 'not unexpected': Finch

Wade smashed Pakistan pace ace Shaheen Shah Afridi for three straight sixes including two audacious scoop shots - the final one sailing over fine leg to silence the Pakistan crowd.

'Piece to the puzzle'

Stoinis said a T20 World Cup title will "mean a bloody lot to us." "Obviously Test cricket and the Ashes, that's what we grew up when we played. Then the transformation of T20 cricket. It's not a hit and a giggle anymore in terms of the pressure," said Stoinis.

"I don't think many people gave us a chance leading into this tournament apart from the players and coaching staff. So it's definitely going to mean a bloody lot to us and we will be super proud when we bring that home to Australia."

Key will be the form of opener David Warner who has plundered 236 runs at the tournament.

"Everyone had written us off, but we had a lot of confidence within. I think we came here with a really clear plan to win the tournament," Finch.

"We always felt as though we've got the depth of the squad and the quality in our squad to put ourselves in a position to do that.

Finch acknowledged the importance of pressing home the advantage in the first six overs of powerplay, especially against a potent New Zealand pace attack including Trent Boult and Tim Southee.

"I think we've seen throughout the tournament the importance of the powerplay," said Finch.

"A lot of games have been dictated by who has won the initial contest in the power play in both innings. No doubt it will be a real challenge. It won't define who wins the match but it does help set up your innings if you perform."

But the skipper said he does not "fuss" about the toss and bowling first despite 11 out of 12 matches being won by the team batting second at the Dubai International Stadium.

The tournament showcasing cricket's shortest format will witness a new winner in Dubai on Sunday after a clash between two teams that were not among the pre-competition favourites.

Australia made the semi-finals as the second-placed team behind England from their group but went on to beat Pakistan with a powerful performance in Thursday's semi-final.

"Everyone had written us off, but we had a lot of confidence within. I think we came here with a really clear plan to win the tournament," Finch told reporters.

"We always felt as though we've got the depth of the squad and the quality in our squad to put ourselves in a position to do that."

He said: "No, it's not unexpected."

Finch praised the Black Caps who will be appearing in their third global final after winning the inaugural Test championship in June, two years after finishing runners-up in the 2019 50-over World Cup.

Australia, New Zealand seek history in T20 World Cup final

"And New Zealand, they have been in every final for a long time now in ICC events," said Finch.

"They are a great team over all three formats of the game. They are a team that can never be under-estimated. But maybe people on the outside do.

"Certainly inside, we don't. They have got firepower, they have got experience, they have got class. No, I'm not surprised one bit."

Swashbuckling opener David Warner has led the team's batting charge with 236 runs in six matches and along with Finch gets the runs flowing early for his team.

Flexible batting

But when Australia were in trouble at 96-5 while chasing 177 in the second semi-final, the less heralded Marcus Stoinis (40 runs) and Matthew Wade (41) drove their team home with one over to spare.

"At some point throughout the tournament, everyone in our 11 has had a match-winning contribution, which has been really impressive," said Finch.

"I don't think it's down to one person. I think in a big game, you need everyone to chip in their part."

Former captain Steve Smith has a highest score of 35 and was out for five in the semi-final, but Finch dismissed concerns about his form.

However Finch said the team remains flexible in their batting and called the left-handed Wade, a wicketkeeper-batsman, a "versatile" option when it comes to coming up or down the order.

Finch acknowledged the importance of pressing home the advantage in the first six overs of powerplay, especially against a potent New Zealand pace attack including Trent Boult and Tim Southee.

New Zealand beat England to reach first T20 World Cup final

"I think we've seen throughout the tournament the importance of the powerplay," said Finch.

"A lot of games have been dictated by who has won the initial contest in the power play in both innings. No doubt it will be a real challenge. It won't define who wins the match but it does help set up your innings if you perform."

But the skipper said he does not "fuss" about the toss and bowling first despite 11 out of 12 matches being won by the team batting second at the Dubai International Stadium.

Finch said his team must stay focused throughout the match because he expects Kane Williamson's men to fight till the end in Dubai.

"Anytime you play New Zealand you know how great a contest it's gonna be, you know that they're so disciplined in all three facets of the game," Finch told reporters on Saturday.

"They're a team that you have to be on for all 40 overs if you're gonna get over the line. They're a great side. They're really well led by Kane and he's done it brilliantly.

"They seem to just hang around for long enough in any kind of contest and wear you down. That's what we've learned over the years about New Zealand.

T20 World Cup: Heartbreak for Pakistan as Australia through to final

They fight and scrap in every situation."

It will be a rematch of the 50-overs World Cup title match in 2015 which Australia won, but Finch felt there was little to choose between Sunday's finalists.

"I think both teams are really well matched up with similar sort of structures in terms of the powerplay bowling," he said. "New Zealand have obviously been the dominant team in the World Cup in the powerplay with the ball.

"Both teams have got good spin options. It should be a great contest. It always is. So yeah, we can't wait."

Few would have tipped Australia as a potential World Cup finalist after their tumultuous buildup when they lost five consecutive T20 series.

Finch said his team have been able to stick to their plans and play to their strengths.

"You got to be in it to win it. I think it's something you would take to give yourself an opportunity to win a world event, and to win an ICC trophy is really special," Finch said.

"So yeah, we're really proud of where we are at the moment and where we've come from. And one more step to go."

New Zealand and Australia renew their trans-Tasman rivalry in Dubai as both teams look to clinch their maiden world title in the shortest format.

It's a hat-trick of ICC finals for the once perennial underdogs of world cricket after they outplayed India to win the inaugural Test championship in June.

They beat favourites England in the semi-final to avenge their 2019 defeat in a dramatic 50-over World Cup final at Lord's when they went down on boundary count after a super over.

Head coach Gary Stead said the Black Caps are excited to take on the Australian challenge in what will be their first ever T20 World Cup final appearance.

"That's probably a final that I'm not sure too many people would have predicted a month or so ago, Australia and New Zealand," said Stead.

The Kiwis though have suffered an injury blow after wicketkeeper Devon Conway was ruled out following a broken hand when he punched his bat on his dismissal in the semi-final.

Jimmy Neesham played a key part in the team's semi-final win over England as he hit 27 off 11 balls to turn the game on its head and win with an over to spare.

"I am sure there will be a bigger outpour of emotion if we manage to get across the line," he said.

Sunday's clash will bring back memories of the 2015 50-over final when Australia beat New Zealand by seven wickets to clinch their fifth ODI World Cup.

Aaron Finch's Australians beat title favourites Pakistan by five wickets in the second semi-final.

"They've got a bunch of guys who are real match winners," said Stead.

"And we're going to have to make sure that our planning, out scouting is right on point and we've got really clear plans for their players because they can like rip a game open pretty quickly."

Australia were in trouble at 96-5 while chasing 177 on Thursday when Marcus Stoinis (40) and Matthew Wade (41) put on an unbeaten partnership of 82 and win by an over to spare.

Wade smashed Pakistan pace ace Shaheen Shah Afridi for three straight sixes including two audacious scoop shots - the final one sailing over fine leg to silence the Pakistan crowd.

'Piece to the puzzle'

Stoinis said a T20 World Cup title will "mean a bloody lot to us."

"Obviously Test cricket and the Ashes, that's what we grew up when we played. Then the transformation of T20 cricket. It's not a hit and a giggle anymore in terms of the pressure," said Stoinis.

"I don't think many people gave us a chance leading into this tournament apart from the players and coaching staff. So it's definitely going to mean a bloody lot to us and we will be super proud when we bring that home to Australia."

Coach Justin Langer said: "We have got such a rich history and it'll be nice to add this piece to the puzzle."

Key will be the form of opener David Warner who has plundered 236 runs at the tournament.

Langer lauded the Black Caps for their brand of cricket and said the Aussies will have to bring their best for a maiden title.

"The way New Zealand have gone about their business for the last few years has been outstanding," said Langer.

"They are a really good bunch of blokes. They get on with the job and get it done. We have to be at our best like we have been throughout this tournament to beat New Zealand."

Rizwan, 29, came out of the intensive care unit of a Dubai hospital to top-score with 67 in Pakistan's 176-4 on Thursday, but his efforts were in vain as Australia overhauled that total to set up a title clash with New Zealand.

Pakistan 'warrior' Rizwan went from hospital to half-century

Rizwan's courage was lauded by Pakistan's batting coach Matthew Hayden and by fans, while pictures of the batsman lying in a hospital bed went viral on social media.

Saheer Sainalabdeen, a pulmonologist who hails from the south Indian state of Kerala, told AFP it was Rizwan's "faith in God" and desire to play for Pakistan that got the batsman through a severe chest infection.

Rizwan was so grateful that he sent the doctor an autographed Pakistan shirt.

"I must admit that we did not expect his recovery to be so fast as it takes around five to seven days for improvement with the kind of condition that he came in with," Sainalabdeen told AFP.

"But because of his fit lifestyle, of course he is a sportsperson, he improved in two to three days and it was miraculous.

"Main thing I thought was his faith in God and his strong belief to play in the World Cup for his country."

Sainalabdeen said Rizwan was admitted to the hospital on November 9 with severe chest pain and doctors suspected heart issues but later it turned out to be spasm of the lungs and food pipe.

"It all started with cough and cold but November 9 he had severe chest pain and we had a doubt of him having heart issues," he said.

T20 World Cup: Heartbreak for Pakistan as Australia through to final

"But then the evaluation found out that he had severe throat infection which led to spasm of the lungs and food pipe. Because of which he had severe pain and breathing difficulty."

Once Rizwan was passed fit, he tore into the Australian bowling in Thursday's semi-final, taking nine balls to get going with skipper Babar Azam as he hit Josh Hazlewood for six.

The batsman smashed three fours and four sixes in a 52-ball blitz before his dismissal in the 18th over. He jumped to second in the tournament's batting chart with 281 runs in six matches, behind only Babar's 303 runs.

Sainalabdeen, who works at the Medeor hospital which helps assure the bio bubble at this World Cup, said he felt "good" watching Rizwan's knock on TV.

Rizwan, a wicketkeeper-batsman who hails from Peshawar, has played 49 T20 matches for Pakistan, scoring 1346 runs at an average of over 51 since his debut in 2015.

AFP Sport looks at three memorable cricket clashes between the two neighbours:

1974 Christchurch

New Zealand beat Australia by five wickets

-- For nearly 30 years, New Zealand were simply ignored by Australia, who didn't consider them worthy opponents.

That changed in the 1970s and most specifically in 1974 when, with star batsman Glenn Turner making a hundred in each innings, New Zealand recorded their maiden Test victory over Australia with a five-wicket win at Christchurch's Lancaster Park.

1981, Melbourne

Australia beat New Zealand by six runs

-- The scoreline may not jog many memories but the word 'underarm' will surely will.

What might have been a forgettable third final of the one-day series produced one of the most controversial finishes of all-time when, with New Zealand needing six to tie off the last ball, Australia captain Greg Chappell instructed younger brother Trevor to role the ball underarm along the ground.

Angry New Zealand tailender Brian McKechnie, who was on strike, threw his bat away in disgust and Greg Chappell's decision brought forth a torrent of criticism.

New Zealand's then Prime Minister, Robert Muldoon, said the delivery was "an act of true cowardice and I consider it appropriate that the Australian team were wearing yellow".

Meanwhile former Australia captain Ian Chappell, Greg and Ian's older brother, said: "Fair dinkum, Greg. How much pride do you sacrifice to win $A35,000?"

2015, Auckland

New Zealand beat Australia by one wicket

-- The 2015 World Cup pool clash at Eden Park was one of the best matches in the event's history.

It seemed New Zealand had the match all but won after they shot out Australia for just 151, with left-arm paceman Trent Boult taking five for 27.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum then launched the Black Caps' reply with a typically dashing 50.

But Australia left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc rocked New Zealand with a superb haul of six for 28 and was on a hat-trick when the Black Caps lost their ninth wicket only for last man Boult to survive the next two balls.

New Zealand's Kane Williamson (45 not out) won the match when he drove the first ball of the next over, from Pat Cummins, for six.

The two teams were to meet again in the final in Melbourne but the showpiece turned into a non-event.

New Zealand were bowled out for just 183 with Australia reaching their target in the 34th over for the loss of three wickets.

Conway, who hit a 38-ball 46 in Wednesday's semi-final win, was sore and sorry after being ruled out of both the World Cup decider and the following tour of India.

"While it's not the smartest thing he's done there's certainly an element of bad luck in the injury," New Zealand coach Gary Stead said.

"He's certainly remorseful around it, it's an honest mistake he's made.

"He knows it's having an impact on our team as well but that will provide an opportunity for someone else to come into the side and step up on the biggest stage now.

"Sometimes strange things happen and we find heroes in other places as well."

Conway's injury is a needless headache for Stead and captain Kane Williamson as New Zealand prepare for their first World T20 final against an Australian team with their tails up after beating Pakistan in Thursday's semi-final.

Seifert has not played a match since the Black Caps were well beaten by Pakistan in their tournament opener over two weeks ago.

Conway batted at number four against England but Seifert, who was seventh in the order against Pakistan, would be unlikely to replace his team mate in the higher slot.

"Whether we bring Glenn Phillips up one and put Seifert in behind him is something that Kane and I have to work through over the next day or so," said Stead.

Phillips batted at number five against England.

New Zealand have known only heartbreak in World Cup finals, beaten by England on boundary-count in the 50-over tournament in 2019 and crushed by Australia in the 2015 edition.

They will have a chance to erase the 2015 disappointment against Aaron Finch's Australia on Sunday.

"They've got a bunch of guys who are real match-winners as well," Stead said of Australia, who are also bidding for their first T20 title.

"We're going to have to make sure our planning and scouting is right on point and that we've got really clear plans for all of our players because they can rip a game open pretty quickly as well."

Rizwan top-scored for Pakistan with 67 from 52 balls in Thursday's semi-final in Dubai to help the team post 176, but Australia reeled in the runs to reach Sunday's final against New Zealand.

Pakistan's team doctor said Rizwan was admitted to hospital on Tuesday and spent two nights in intensive care.

"He made an incredible recovery and was deemed fit before the match," doctor Najeebullah Soomro said.

T20 World Cup: Heartbreak for Pakistan as Australia through to final

"We can see his great determination and tenacity that shows his spirit of performing for the country. And we can see how he performed today."

Opener Rizwan showed no sign of illness, clubbing four sixes and three fours before falling to paceman Mitchell Starc.

Captain Babar Azam, who opened the batting with Rizwan, said the 29-year-old was a "little bit down" before the match.

"But when I asked him about his health he said, 'no, I will play'," said Babar.

During his innings, Rizwan became the first player to score 1,000 runs in T20 internationals in a calendar year.

Scoring 281 for the tournament at an average of 70.25, Rizwan is second only to Babar (303) on the World Cup runs list.

"This is a warrior," said Pakistan batting coach Matthew Hayden, the former Australia test opener.

"He has been brilliant through (the tournament) and he's got great courage, as has Babar. Fantastic tonight from him."

Australia will face New Zealand in the final on Sunday with the tournament now preparing for a first-time champion.

For Pakistan, the match ended their unbeaten run in the event. Praised throughout for their fielding and overall enthusiasm, a dropped catch in the penultimate over followed by three successive sixes took the game from Pakistan.

Earlier, the Babar Azam-led set a competitive total that set up the semi-final nicely.

However, a sensational finish saw Australia maintain their dominance over Pakistan in ICC knockout games, which stretched their unbeaten run to five games.

Match proceedings

Pakistan begin their defence of the target.

David Warner and Aaron Finch will open the innings for Australia, as Shaheen Shah Afridi looks to make early inroads.

Australia are chasing 177 to book a place in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup.

Australia innings - 1st over

Shaheen Afridi beats David Warner on the opening delivery. A hint of swing.

Dismissed. Aaron Finch declared LBW off the first delivery he faces, a typical inswinger that traps the Australia captain.

Shaheen away.

Australia lose opening wicket.

So much happening.

A leg-before appeal on the very next delivery. It has been reviewed. A run-out was also being looked at.

Shaheen seems to be on-point, swinging the ball at will.

Australia are 1 for 1 after 1 over.

2nd over

Five runs from this over.

Australia are 6 for 1 after the second over.

3rd over

Mitchell Marsh hits Shaheen Afridi for a four through covers.

Haris Rauf saves a certain four with a brilliant dive.

Australia are 13 for 1 after the third over.

4th over

Big over for Australia.

David Warner hits Imad Waseem for a six, followed by a four through covers.

Warner hits another four over fine-leg.

Australia are 30 for 1 after fourth over.

5th over

Mitchell Marsh welcomes Haris Rauf with a flat six on his first ball, followed by a four off the edge on the second.

Australia are 44 for 1 after the fifth over.

6th over

Mitchell Marsh pulls this one for a four.

Australia's 50 comes up in 5.3 overs.

Australia are 52 for 1 after the sixth over.

7th over

Shadab Khan takes big wicket, removes Mitchell Marsh for 28.

Steve Smith gets a four off the edge.

Australia are 57 for 2 after the seventh over.

8th over

David Warner hits Mohammad Hafeez's (double-bounce) no-ball for a six.

13 runs from this over.

Australia are 70 for 2 after the eighth over.

9th over

David Warner hits Shadab for a big six.

Shadab removes off-colour Steve Smith for 5.

Australia are 80 for 3 after the ninth over.

10th over

David Warner scores another boundary, moves to 47.

Australia are 89 for 3 after the 10th over.

11th over

Shadab Khan strikes, again. Takes the key wicket of David Warner.

Just three runs from this over.

Australia are 92 for 4 after the 11th over.

12th over

Economical over from Imad Waseem, just 3 runs from it.

Australia are 95 for after the 12th over.

13th over

Shadab bags another, removes Maxwell for 6.

Australia are 103 for 5 after the 13th over.

14th over

Matthew Wade hits Haris Rauf for a boundary.

Australia are 109 for 5 after the 14th over. They require another 68 in 36 balls.

15th over

Shaheen misses a run-out chance.

Just six runs from this over.

Australia are 115 for 5 after the 15th over. They require another 62 in 30 balls.

16th over

Stoinis welcomes Hasan Ali with a first-ball four.

Hasan bowls a no-ball at a crucial stage. No boundary on the free-hit.

12 runs from this over.

Australia are 127 for 5 after the 16th over. They require another 50 in 24 balls.

17th over

Marcus Stoinis smashes a slower-one from Haris for a huge six. The next ball reaches boundary like a bullet.

Another big over for Australia; 13 runs off this over.

Australia are 140 for 5 after the 17th over. They require another 37 in 18 balls.

18th over

Matthew Wade hits Hasan Ali for big six.

Big over for Australia. as they get 15 runs from this over.

Australia are 155 for 5 after the 18th over. They require another 22 off 12 balls.

Pakistan innings - 1st over

Babar Azam hits a ball off the pads for four to fine-leg. Pakistan are away.

Pakistan are 6 without loss at the end of the first over.

2nd over

Babar Azam hits a cover drive off Josh Hazlewood for another boundary. The captain seems to be in sublime form.

Pakistan are 11 without loss at the end of the second over.

Mohammad Rizwan has yet to get off the mark.

3rd over

Mohammad Rizwan hits a ball high in the air, looking for a six, and is dropped by David Warner. The end-result -- boundary for Pakistan. The wicket-keeper is off the mark.

Babar Azam hits the last ball for another four.

Pakistan are 21 without loss at the end of the third over.

4th over

Babar Azam hits his fourth boundary of the innings, this time off Pat Cummins.

Pakistan are 29 without loss at the end of the fourth over.

5th over

Mohammad Rizwan slaps Josh Hazlewood off his pads for a flat six.

Pakistan are 38 without loss at the end of the fifth over.

6th over

Mohammad Rizwan flicks Pat Cummins for another four.

Mohammad Rizwan is dropped again near the boundary.

Pakistan are 47 without loss at the end of the sixth over.

This is Pakistan's highest total in the Powerplay during this T20 World Cup.

7th over

An uneventful over, just four runs from it.

Pakistan are 51 without loss at the end of the seventh over.

8th over

Babar Azam welcomes Mitchell Marsh with a boundary.

Pakistan are 62 without loss at the end of the eighth over.

9th over

No boundary in this over.

Pakistan are 68 without loss at the end of the ninth over.

10th over

Adam Zampa removes Babar Azam off the last ball of the 10th over. He departs after scoring 39 off 34 balls.

Pakistan are 71 for one at the end of the 10th over.

Since the Powerplay, Pakistan have scored 24 off 4 overs.

11th over

Just four runs from this over. Pakistan slow down as Australia spinners take charge.

Pakistan are 75 for one at the end of the 11th over.

12th over

Mohammad Rizwan breaks the shackles with an 86-metre six off Zampa.

Pakistan get four extras. Wicket-keeper Matthew Wade makes a mistake, lets one slip away for four byes.

Pakistan are 89 for one at the end of the 12th over.

13th over

A bouncer by Mitchell Starc hits Mohammad Rizwan on the helmet.

Pakistan are 92 for one at the end of the 13th over.

14th over

Fakhar Zaman hits Josh Hazlewood for a boundary.

Mohammad Rizwan sends Hazlewood's length-ball for a huge six over midwicket. He completes his fifty in 41 ball.

Pakistan are 106 for one at the end of the 14th over.

15th over

Fakhar Zaman hits a no-ball for a boundary. But, on the free-hit, he only takes a single.

Pakistan are 117 for one at the end of the 15th over.

16th over

No boundary in this over.

Pakistan are 122 for one at the end of the 16th over.

17th over

Fakhar Zaman smashes a six, finally.

Australia taking their time to set the field.

Following the changes, Pakistan hit a boundary, off another no-ball. A free-hit is now available for Mohammad Rizwan.

And he takes full advantage, hits a six, a great hit. He is now not out on 67.

Pakistan are 143 for 2 at the end of the 17th over.

18th over

Fakhar Zaman hits Starc for a massive six, followed by a boundary that almost took out the umpire at the bowler's end.

Fakhar Zaman has cut loose.

Pakistan are 158 for 2 at the end of the 18th over.

19th over

Asif Ali goes for a golden duck.

Just three runs from the penultimate over.

Pakistan are 161 for 3 at the end of the 19th over.

20th over

Last-match hero Shoaib Malik was bowled for one.

However, Fakhar Zaman hits a massive six, again off Starc. Reaches 48 off just 30 deliveries.

Completes a 31-ball fifty. Hits another six off Starc.

Pakistan end innings at 176 for four off 20 overs.

Toss

Pakistan will bat first, after Australia captain Aaron Finch won the toss and decided to field.

Preview

Australia are looking to end Pakistan's unbeaten run in not just the ongoing tournament, but also in the UAE.

Pakistan have won five successive matches in the ongoing tournament, and 16 consecutive international matches in the UAE.

Interestingly, Pakistan have yet to beat Australia in an ICC knockout game, a statistic Babar Azam-led Pakistan are looking to change.

However, many believe Pakistan have the upper hand in tonight's game.

Pakistan have won the T20 World Cup once, in 2009, and finished runners-up in the inaugural edition in 2007.

Head to head

Pakistan enjoy a slight advantage over Australia with 13 wins in 23 games against Australia’s 9 victories in the T20 format. One game yielded no result.

In T20 World Cups

The two sides have faced each other six times in the ICC T20 World Cup, and have three wins each.

Squads

Both teams are fielding unchanged playing-eleven in the do-or-die game.

Pakistan: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Imad Waseem, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf

Australia: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Stoinis, and Pat Cummins

This is a live update of the semi-final proceedings. However, the page does not refresh automatically.

“If we had taken that catch, it might have made the difference,” Babar said while speaking at the post-match presentation on Thursday.

Australia, chasing 177 to win, required 18 off 10 balls when Hasan Ali dropped Matthew Wade off Shaheen Afridi.

He almost overran the ball, and let it slip through his fingers as Pakistan saw a rare dropped catch in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup.

Wade made Pakistan pay for this rare mistake, and went on to hit three consecutive sixes off the next three balls to finish the game with 6 balls to spare, confirming his side's second T20 World Cup final appearance against New Zealand on Sunday.

Australia and New Zealand will contest the final in Dubai.

Meanwhile, Babar said the team reached the total they had targeted, but felt that they could have done things better in the final few overs during Australia's chase.

Pakistan let it slip in the final five overs when Australia needed another 62 runs to win. However, Wade and Marcus Stoinis ensured Australia reached the target with an entire over to spare. Afridi was taken for 22 off the 19th over of the innings.

T20 World Cup: Heartbreak for Pakistan as Australia through to final

"The way we started in the first half, we got the total we targeted. But we gave them too much of a chance at the end of their chase.

The skipper, however, commended his team’s overall effort in the tournament, and said he was satisfied with their performance.

“The way we played this tournament, the way we gelled, I'm very satisfied as a captain. I hope we try and learn from our mistakes after this. Definitely, if we've played so well in a tournament, we'll gain confidence, and we'll continue to try and play this way. The roles we'd defined for the players, they all executed those very well.”

Babar also thanked the crowd for their unmatched support throughout the event.

Neesham, who thrashed 27 runs off 11 balls to help them reach their first world T20 final, sat with arms crossed and a sphinx-like expression as team mates leapt to their feet and punched the air after the five-wicket win was sealed.

A photo of the moment went viral on social media and Neesham re-tweeted it with the caption: "Job finished? I don't think so."

Long after players and officials walked off the turf at Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Neesham was still sitting on the sidelines, staring out into space.

The team's batting coach Luke Ronchi was impressed with his reserve.

New Zealand beat England to reach first T20 World Cup final

"It's always nice winning semi-finals and getting into finals, isn't it?" he told reporters.

"But all that means is you have another game left."

New Zealand will meet either Australia or Pakistan, who play later on Thursday, in Sunday's final.

For a country of five million people, the "Black Caps" have long punched above their weight in cricket and captured the inaugural World Test Championship in June by beating Virat Kohli's India.

Success in the biggest showpieces of short format cricket has proved elusive, however.

New Zealand reached the final of the last two 50-over World Cups, losing to England by a technicality in the 2019 classic, four years after being well-beaten by Australia in the 2015 decider.

Pakistan have not yet beaten Australia in an ICC knockout game

After losing the 2019 final on boundary-count, the since abandoned method of determining the champion after a tied "Super Over", Neesham captured New Zealand's 2019 heartbreak on Twitter, saying: "Kids, don't take up sport. Take up baking or something. Die at 60 really fat and happy."

Two years later, New Zealand and Neesham have another chance at redemption.

However, Babar Azam-led Pakistan put an end to the decades-long wait with a 10-wicket thrashing.

Pakistan end decades-old wait with 10-wicket thrashing of India

Now, we turn over to another statistic, and one that has gone under the radar. Pakistan have never beaten Australia in an ICC knockout event.

ESPNcricinfo also said that Australia have won all four ICC knockout games against Pakistan — the 1987 World Cup semi-final, the 1999 World Cup final, the 2010 T20 World Cup semi-final and the 2015 World Cup quarter-final.

All four games broke hearts in a unique way.

Recap

In 1987, the Imran Khan-led side, among the tournament’s favourites, were knocked out in the semi-final by a mere 18-run margin. Before their encounter in Lahore, Pakistan had won five out of six matches.

In 1999, Pakistan beat a struggling-to-find-form Australia in the group stages. By the final, Australia had found it, and Pakistan bore the brunt. An overwhelmingly one-sided match gave Australia their first trophy since 1987, and then, there was no looking back.

In 2010, Pakistan ran into Michael Hussey, who smashed a 24-ball 60 and took apart Mohammad Amir and Saeed Ajmal to potentially give the duo nightmares. Pakistan were the reigning T20 world champions at the time.

In 2015, Pakistan were downed by Australia in the quarter-final, but not before left-arm paceman Wahab Riaz threatened with a spell that still remains in memory.

Come 2021

Now, Pakistan and Australia will face each other again — this time in Dubai.

Australia, who have won five 50-over World Cup crowns, including three in a row, still await a T20 world title in six attempts.

They face a side eager to put the past behind them, and riding high on not only 16 consecutive T20I victories in the UAE, but also five successive wins in the tournament. The last time Pakistan lost a T20I in the UAE was in a Super Over against England in Sharjah in November 2015.

The match serves as another one for the stats aficionados, but for Pakistan and their fans, it is so much more — a chance to put the past behind them and get over a spell that would label this squad as the finisher of so-called jinxes.

Chasing 166 for victory, New Zealand were in trouble at 13-2 and 107-4 when Jimmy Neesham hit an 11-ball 27 and Mitchell finished it off with a boundary.

New Zealand will be in their first ever T20 World Cup final where they will face either Australia or Pakistan.

With 20 needed off the final 12 balls, Mitchell smashed Chris Woakes for two sixes and a four before his 47-ball blitz triggered wild celebrations in the New Zealand dug out.

"We've played each other on a number of occasions, so we knew it would be a great game of cricket," said New Zealand captain Kane Williamson whose team lost the 50-over World Cup to England on a Super Over in 2019.

Williamson wary of 'power packed' England in T20 World Cup semi-final

"I am really chuffed with the heart that was shown throughout that performance."

New Zealand will face either Australia or Pakistan in Sunday's final.

"It was outstanding from Mitchell at the top. His character stood out, an incredible knock," added Williamson.

"T20 cricket is a game of small margins. Jimmy came out and hit the ball hard, and changed the momentum of the game. Ultimately the deciding factor."

Mitchell, the son of former All Blacks rugby coach John, said he was delighted to reach the final.

"It was a bit of a whirlwind, but nice to get the job done and move onto the big dance," he said.

They suffered early blows after Woakes struck on the third ball to send Martin Guptill trudging back to the pavilion for four.

The fast bowler then got skipper Kane Willimson's prized scalp for five after the batsman attempted a scoop shot to be caught at fine-leg.

Mitchell and Devon Conway put on 82 runs for the third wicket but Liam Livingstone struck with his leg spin to have Conway stumped for 46.

New man Neesham took the bowling head on as he smashed Chris Jordan for two sixes - one of them nearly caught at the boundary by Bairstow but his knee touched the rope - and a four to get 23 runs from the over.

He finally fell to Adil Rashid's googly with skipper Eoin Morgan holding on to a catch at extra cover.

"Full credit to Kane and his team, they outplayed us today," said Morgan.

Finch sees 'crucial battle' with Shaheen in T20 World Cup semi-final

Earlier Moeen Ali smashed an unbeaten 51 to steer England to 166-four after being invited to bat as Kiwi skipper Williamson won an all-important toss.

England lost their openers including Jos Buttler for 29, lbw off Ish Sodhi.

In-form Moeen

But Moeen hit back with his 37-ball knock and put on a key partnership of 63 with Dawid Malan, who hit 41, for the third wicket.

Pace bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult kept a tight leash in the first three overs before Buttler smashed two successive boundaries.

In-form Buttler tried to rebuild but an attempt to reverse sweep leg-spinner Sodhi got him trapped lbw for 29 off 24 deliveries.

The opener, who moved past Pakistan's Babar Azam as the leading batsman in the tournament with 269 runs, reviewed the call but replays suggested the ball would have hit his off stump.

The left-handed Malan, who was dropped on 10 by wicketkeeper Conway off Neesham, hit the first six of the innings off Southee in the 16th over but departed next ball caught behind.

But Moeen launched an attack as he hit Sodhi for a six and then smashed Milne for two hits over the fence.

Livingstone hit 17 off 10 balls before departing and Moeen completed his first fifty of the tournament with a boundary off Neesham.

The Aussies made their first semi-final of the tournament since 2012 with four wins and a better run-rate than South Africa.

But they are up against an unbeaten Pakistan who stormed into the final four with five wins in the Super 12 stage including their first ever in the tournament against rivals India.

Australia have won five 50-over World Cup crowns, including three in a row, but still await a T20 world title in six attempts.

The man who 'offended' Shoaib Akhtar: Babar Azam ready to scale new heights

The left-handed Warner has led the charge with 89 not out in Australia's win over West Indies and a quickfire 65 against Sri Lanka, an innings that silenced his critics.

He now has 187 runs for the tournament.

"I was never worried one bit about Dave's form. He's one of the all-time great batsmen of our era," said captain Aaron Finch of his opening partner who came into the World Cup on the back of being dropped from his IPL team.

All-rounder Glenn Maxwell said the Australian batsmen will not hold back and go for the runs to unsettle the Pakistan attack led by left-arm quick Shaheen Shah Afridi.

"I've seen teams go the other way and try and hold wickets back to make sure they get to go at the back end," said Maxwell.

"But for us it's probably that playing with freedom at the start and really trying to make the most of the powerplay and put the opposition on the back foot."

Zampa is the tournament's joint second-highest wicket-taker with 11 victims but the 29-year-old has gone about his business under the radar.

"I don't think that anyone has underrated him," insisted Finch of Zampa who claimed a tournament-best return of 5-19 against Bangladesh in Dubai.

"He's someone who loves the competitiveness, loves the fight."

'Renewed focus'

Inside the Pakistan camp is Matthew Hayden, the former Australia opener who is the team's batting coach.

Hayden sees the partnership between skipper Babar Azam, the leading run maker at the World Cup ahead of the semi-finals with 264, and Mohammad Rizwan as key.

"They are very independent players with their own styles but that blend and mix make for the perfect combination. They are unique," explained Hayden.

Babar and Rizwan hit the ground running at the World Cup with an unbroken 152-run stand as Pakistan trounced India in Dubai by 10 wickets -- their first win over their arch-rivals in 13 World Cup matches.

We fear no one at Twenty20 World Cup, says Hafeez

"We will try to continue with the kind of consistency that we have shown in the tournament so far and hope to play good cricket in the semi-finals," said Babar who has four half-centuries in five innings.

On facing Australia, Babar said: "You can't take any team lightly in T20 cricket. You have to play good cricket on that day."

Pakistan have got a finisher in Asif Ali who hit four sixes off Afghanistan bowler Karim Janat to get his team the required 25 runs in the penultimate over of their Super 12 clash.

Veteran batsmen Shoaib Malik, who hit an 18-ball 54 in his side's last pool win over Scotland, and Mohammad Hafeez add experience to the batting order.

And with Afridi in threatening form with the new ball, the 2009 champions seem to have their bases covered.

But former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar warned the side of complacency in their knockout contest.

"Forget the Super 12 now, just use the momentum but go into semis with a renewed focus," Akhtar wrote on Twitter.

The Aussies have depended on blazing starts by swashbuckling opener David Warner and Finch to get past opponents in the Super 12 stage.

But Shaheen stands in Australia's way with his ability to pick early wickets rattling opposition teams as Pakistan moved into the semi-finals unbeaten with five wins.

"Shaheen has been in really good form for Pakistan. Yeah, so that's going to be a crucial battle no doubt," Finch told reporters ahead of the knockout tie in Dubai on Thursday.

Australia will look to master Shaheen in the key stage of the opening six overs when the powerplay is in operation with only two fielders allowed outside the inner circle.

Zampa takes five wickets as Australia crush Bangladesh

"I think what we've seen over the course of the tournament is how important the powerplay is for batting and bowling," added the Australian captain.

"I think the stats around the middle overs and the death overs are pretty similar throughout, but the powerplay definitely holds the key."

Shaheen has claimed six wickets in five games after he set the tournament ablaze with his opening spell of 2-19 following his wickets of Indian openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul.

The tall left-arm quick has troubled Australia in four meetings with eight wickets and a best of 3-37.

He dismissed both Finch and Glenn Maxwell in his first outing against the Aussies in July 2018 in a tri-series in Harare.

But facing him would be an in-form Warner who has scored 187 runs including two half-centuries and has been key to Australia's entry into the final four.

'Win, bat first or second'

Finch, who has had knocks of 37, 44 and 40, praised Pakistan's powerplay blitz with bat and ball but refused to get into the debate of favourites and underdogs for this knockout game.

"Pakistan have played brilliant cricket. I think the way that they've gone in the powerplay with the bat and ball has been really crucial to their success," said Finch.

Toss and dew have played a big part across the three venues in the United Arab Emirates but Dubai in particular favouring teams chasing a target.

Ten out 11 matches have been won by the team batting second, but Finch played down the importance of the toss in the knockout game.

Warner stars as Australia down West Indies to close in on semi-finals

"I think when it comes to finals it doesn't make too much of a difference to be honest," said Finch.

"I believe getting runs on the board, especially in a final, can be really beneficial. We've talked about it. We're confident that we can win if we happen to bat first or second."

Pakistan are set to face Australia in the semi-final of the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup on Thursday with Babar's team looking to stretch a winning run that has seen them five successive matches at the mega event.

“So far, the Pakistan team has really done well and impressed us well with their consistent performances," said Ramiz, quoted in a statement ahead of the knockout clash.

"I don't think Babar needs to do anything differently in the semi-final against Australia. The team should just remain motivated and play with pride and passion."

The PCB chairman said he was impressed with the way Pakistan had played in the tournament so far and removed the tag of ‘inconsistency’.

“The win over India was the result of strong temperament while we beat New Zealand with some good planning. The win over the Afghanistan team came after playing their spinners well,” he added.

PCB chairman Ramiz says he will not take a 'single penny' for three years

The chairman spoke highly of Babar’s leadership, self-belief, and humble behaviour that, according to him, has helped the team on the field, and won hearts off the field.

“You have qualified for the knock-out stage ... victory or defeat is not in any human's hand. But you should just continue to play good cricket and have self-belief. The entire nation's prayers are with you.”

Ramiz said he was happy with Pakistan’s fearless approach and “that is the brand of cricket that the team should always play.”

Ramiz, who took over the chairmanship just a month before the tournament, has made drastic changes in the administration as well as the cricket team’s management ahead of the mega event.

Preview

Australia have made it to their first semi-final of the tournament since 2012 with four wins and a better run-rate than South Africa.

But they are up against an unbeaten Pakistan who stormed into the final four with five wins in the Super 12 stage including their first ever in the tournament against rivals India.

Australia have won five 50-over World Cup crowns, including three in a row, but still await a T20 world title in six attempts.

Pakistan have won the T20 World Cup once, in 2009, and finished runners-up in the inaugural edition in 2007.

In the breathless aftermath of that 10-wicket win over their fiercest rivals at the World Cup, the national cricket captain was even likened by one commentator to emporer Zahiruddin Babar who conquered India in the 16th century and founded the Mughal Dynasty.

Fortunately for Pakistan, the unassuming 27-year-old Babar Azam has his feet firmly on the ground.

He has guided his team to five wins in five games at the T20 showpiece and a semi-final clash against Australia in Dubai on Thursday.

Along the way, he has piled up a tournament-leading 264 runs.

On Sunday, against Scotland, he hit his fourth half century of the competition.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam reclaims top batter throne in T20I rankings

It all started with a brilliant unbeaten 68 against India.

That innings, in tandem with fellow opener Mohammad Rizwan's 79 not out, gave Pakistan their first win over their arch-rivals in 13 World Cup matches.

He then scored 51 against Afghanistan and 70 against Namibia -- innings that helped him regain the number one spot in the international T20 rankings.

"Obviously it's a proud moment," said Babar.

"The focus on the goal and hard work are behind this and I want to improve day by day."

In April this year, Babar also ended Indian maestro Virat Kohli's three-year tenure as number one ODI batsman with scores of 103, 32 and 94 in a three-match series in South Africa which Pakistan won 2-1.

He (Shoaib Akhtar) told me 'kid you have to defend the ball. I will bowl it up'. After two or three deliveries, I drove him. He got slightly offended and asked for a new ball and bowled a bouncer: Babar Azam

'Offended' Shoaib

Babar has risen from modest beginnings but was a YouTube hit at 13.

Acting as a ballboy at Lahore's Gaddafi stadium in October, 2007, he confidently pouched a six from South Africa's JP Duminy which had been launched over long-on.

The slow motion replays and praise from the TV commentators who hailed his nonchalance gave Babar surprise airtime.

His talents were obvious but his father Azam Siddique was determined that the teenage Babar didn't get too far ahead of himself.

"It's a blessing for me that my father supported me so much," he said.

"To be honest, he still scolds me if I don't play well or get out by playing a rash shot."

From the under-15 to under-19 levels, his strokeplay caught the eye.

Proud to have made history against India: Babar Azam

Former Pakistan opener Mudassar Nazar was particularly impressed when he was head of the national cricket academy in 1999.

"I was in the Under-15 camp and one day they (the national team) invited us for practice and Mudassar was very kind to select me to face Shoaib's bowling," recalled Babar.

Shoaib Akhtar, the erstwhile 'Rawalpindi Express', famously bowled the fastest recorded delivery -- 161.3 km/h -- at the 2003 World Cup.

"He told me 'kid you have to defend the ball. I will bowl it up'. After two or three deliveries, I drove him.

"He got slightly offended and asked for a new ball and bowled a bouncer. I ducked and watching from the side, Mudassar called me back (from out of the nets)."

Last year, the now retired Shoaib remembered the encounter.

"He was talented then, he is talented now, faced me quite bravely in the nets," he said.

Former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody, who has coached in the Pakistan T20 Super League, believes Babar will become a bigger star than even India skipper Virat Kohli. "You think Kohli is good, watch Babar Azam bat," remarked Moody last year.

"I put Babar almost in the same category as Kohli. We talk about how Kohli is so easy on the eye as a batsman.

"But if you think Kohli is good to watch, have a look at Babar Azam. He is something special."

Both teams have won four games each of their five in the Super 12 stage and fight for a final spot in a game that brings back memories of their dramatic 2019 50-over World Cup final won by England.

The Kiwis have since clinched the inaugural world Test championship this year and have performed consistently well across all formats.

Eoin Morgan's England have been the team to beat in the competition but injuries to fast bowler Tymal Mills and Jason Roy which could unsettle their combination.

"It's a real shame that they have suffered injuries in this competition. But I think one of the strengths as well of the England side is their depth that they've managed to produce over a period of time," Williamson told reporters.

New Zealand boost T20 World Cup semi-final hopes with Namibia win

"Having spent some time at the Birmingham Phoenix and being sort of a little bit involved in that 100 ball competition and you can tell that there's a huge amount of talent throughout.

"They're still very much a very strong side who have been playing some really good cricket."

Williamson said, "Look, they've got match winners throughout their team. And that's been a big, I suppose, movement of their white ball side. Power packed and bat deep as well."

New Zealand's strength has been their pace duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee who have rattled the opposition with their early strikes in the group stages.

Boult and Southee share 18 wickets between them and lead a disciplined New Zealand bowling attack that has complemented their batting.

"They've been brilliant. They've been involved in the team in all formats for a long time and really experienced operators for us," Williamson said of the pace pair.

"They've been doing a fantastic job for us, really leading our attack who have been performing well and adjusting well to the different surfaces that we've been on. And a real strength on our side."

Amazing game

Remind Williamson smiles off the memories of the fateful World Cup final in July 2019 when New Zealand took the match to the super over but lost on boundary count.

The skipper says the team has surely moved on and looks forward to the challenge ahead of them.

"It was an amazing game to be a part of. And certainly all the guys that when it does come up in conversation it's looked back on fondly and appreciate that experience," he said.

"Although, at the time the aftermath was very difficult to understand and perhaps didn't make a lot of sense. But that is what it is. And you sign up.

"You play by the rules and you move on and you look forward to the next challenges. And now we're at a T20 World Cup, and the cricket just continues to roll on."

Rauf helps high-flying Pakistan beat New Zealand in World Cup

Williamson, who has scored 126 runs with a highest of 40 not out in the team's previous win over Afghanistan, said his troubled elbow is still not hundred per cent.

"That has been a bit of a challenge for me personally. And the balance between the loading of the elbow and things like that to try and stay as fresh as possible for the game," he said.

"So it's a bit of a delicate balance to get my head around. I certainly look forward to the day that it's gone and I don't have to worry too much about it."

England have lost opening batsman Jason Roy and pace bowler Tymal Mills but they sealed a final-four place with four wins in five Super 12 games.

Roy collapsed on the pitch with a calf injury in England's final group match that they lost to South Africa and was later ruled out of the tournament and replaced by James Vince.

Semi-final race: New Zealand qualify, India knocked out

England's aggressive brand of cricket got them past West Indies, Bangladesh, Australia and Sri Lanka with clinical ease to finish as group leaders ahead of the Aussies.

But the Kiwis are no pushovers and who better than England to appreciate the Black Caps' worth after they needed a super over to edge out Kane Williamson's side when the 2019 ODI World Cup final finished in a tie.

"If England and New Zealand provide a fraction of the drama they did on a glorious afternoon at Lord's in July 2019, then the T20 World Cup might get the spark it desperately craves this week," former England captain Mike Atherton wrote in The Times.

New Zealand matched England's 241 courtesy of Ben Stokes' unbeaten 84 at the end of 50 overs and then their 15 in the super over before England were declared winners on boundary count.

England have reached the final four of the T20 World Cup without star performers Stokes and Jofra Archer and Roy's departure adds to their woes ahead of Wednesday's game in Abu Dhabi.

'Magic recipe'

Jos Buttler hit the tournament's only century in his unbeaten 101 against Sri Lanka and remains second best run-getter behind Pakistan captain Babar Azam (264) with 240 runs.

Chris Woakes leads the pace bowling charge ably supplemented by Chris Jordan while spinners Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali have proved their value with eight and seven wickets each respectively.

New Zealand have been the perennial underdogs in top events but a runners-up finish in the ODI World Cup and becoming world Test champions after beating India in the final has proved their consistency across formats.

Pace bowlers Trent Boult and Tim Southee have shared 18 wickets between them to trouble opposition teams with their early strikes.

South Africa exit T20 World Cup despite win, England and Australia enter semis

After losing their opener against Pakistan, Williamson's New Zealand have worked as a well-oiled machine and hammered India in their second game to get the momentum in their favour.

They then brushed aside Scotland, Namibia and Afghanistan to march into the semi-finals but Boult acknowledges his opponents as a well-balanced side.

"Full of match winners. Very well balanced team playing some very good white-ball cricket at the moment. Let's hope we can create a big upset," said Boult, a left-arm quick.

"There has been a good history between the two sides in white-ball cricket. I am sure there are people watching this one with lot of interest."

Boult has a strike rate of 10.7 in this tournament and believes early wickets against an in-form England top-order will be key to success.

"We know the magic recipe that early wickets does put pressure on the oppositions," he said.

"Days it doesn't happen, days it does, but if we could go out there and disturb a very powerful England top-order then I think we will be successful. But it's definitely not going to be easy."

Eighth-ranked Bangladesh trudged through to Super 12s only courtesy of wins against minnows Oman and Papua New Guinea.

They then came under scathing criticism after finishing bottom of their group, skittled out twice for less than 100 in their last two matches.

A committee will gauge "relevant stakeholders to assess why the team could not deliver the expected performance in the event," the Bangladesh Cricket Board said Monday.

Commentator and retired australian batting great Mark Waugh called Bangladesh "embarrassing" after they were bowled out for 73 against Australia in their final match, who raced to their target in just 38 balls.

"Bangladesh offered nothing with the bat. That is an embarrassing display," the Australian said on Fox Television. "It's supposed to be the T20 World Cup and you wouldn't find that in third grade in the park."

Former BCB chief Saber Hossain Chowdhury attacked his successor Nazmul Hassan "Papon", after the poor showing.

"Bangladesh has now played four World Cups under Mr Papon, things have gone from bad to worse," Chowdhury tweeted.

"It's always someone else's fault (that) he has run our cricket to the ground."

Local media said the team could see sweeping changes in the upcoming series against Pakistan, who will arrive in Bangladesh next week to play three Twenty 20 internationals and two Tests.

But former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza urged authorities not to scapegoat players for the failures of the Bangladesh set-up.

"Please correct the process without damaging the players," he wrote on Facebook.

Bangladesh are assured of a place in the Super-12 phase of the next T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022.

Already-eliminated India thrashed Namibia in their final Twenty20 World Cup match in Dubai in Virat Kohli's last game as captain in the shortest format.

The game also ended Shastri's five-year tenure as coach of the national side who reached great heights under his guidance but failed to win a world crown.

But Shastri believes a World Cup title is not far from the team who will have a new T20 captain and Rahul Dravid as their coach.

"I'm not saying a great cricket team India, I'm saying one of the great cricket teams in the history of the game," Shastri told reporters.

"You've got to have a bunch of players who are fit, hungry, fearless, have the quality, have the belief, and then to stay fit so you can play those five years together and go across the globe and perform everywhere."

India came into the tournament as favourites but lost their opening two matches by big margins to slip out of the semi-final race and New Zealand's win over Afghanistan on Sunday finally knocked out Kohli's team.

"We lacked the daring in the second game against New Zealand. But still, it's something for the boys to learn. They'll get an opportunity again next year," Shastri said of next year's T20 World Cup in Australia.

Former skipper Dravid appointed Indian men's cricket team head coach

"It's not often you have World Cups in 12 months. So hopefully, they'll go and kick some butt there."

Rohit, 'capable guy'

Senior batsman Rohit Sharma is primed to succeed Kohli, who will remain captain in Test and ODIs, as T20 captain and Shastri said the move is the way forward in the bubble life during the coronavirus pandemic.

"I think it's not such a bad thing because of the bubble and because of the amount of cricket being played," said Shastri.

"The players need to be rotated around and given the space they need to spend some time with their families, see their parents."

He added, "I think in Rohit you've got a very capable guy. He's won so many IPLs. He's the vice-captain of this side. He's waiting in the wings to take that job.

"We might not have won this World Cup, but I think going forward we'll continue to have a strong team because the IPL throws a lot of young players into the mix. Rahul (Dravid) will have his own ideas on how to take this team forward."

The Indian Premier league has been blamed for players' fatigue as the tournament, played in the United Arab Emirates, ended two days ahead of the T20 World Cup.

The 59-year-old Shastri said he offers no excuse.

"When you're six months in a bubble, this team, there are a lot of players on this team who play all three formats of the game. In the last 24 months, they've been home for 25 days," said Shastri on the relentless cricket calendar.

"I don't care who you are, if your name is Bradman, if you're in a bubble as well, your average will come down because you're human.

"The cricket itinerary is so packed that you can only do one thing at a time. At least they played some T20 cricket in the IPL. I just wish the gap was a little more."

India, who bowed out of the tournament on Sunday, rode on a 87-run opening stand between Rohit Sharma, who hit 56, and KL Rahul, who made an unbeaten 54, to reach their target of 133 in 15.2 overs in Dubai.

India, the 2007 champions, finished the tournament with three wins from five Super 12 matches but missed out on the semi-finals.

Namibia signed off with a single win in their first appearance in the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup.

Indian spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin took three wickets each to set up the victory after they kept Namibia to 132 for eight.

David Wiese scored 26 off 25 balls and lifted Namibia from a precarious 94-7 to a respectable total, but it was not enough to challenge a powerful Indian batting line-up which came good towards the business end of the tournament.

Rohit, who remains the frontrunner to take over the T20 duties from Kohli, hit his second half-century of the competition.

Rohit finally fell to Jan Frylinck's left-arm medium pace but only after he smashed seven fours and two sixes in his 37-ball knock.

Rahul kept up the pace to make his third consecutive fifty and struck the winning boundary.

Suryakumar Yadav hit an unbeaten 25 off 19 balls.

India had only managed to post 151 and 110 in their opening two losses against Pakistan and New Zealand that dented their chances of making the semi-finals.

New Zealand beat Afghanistan on Sunday to eliminate India from the competition and join Pakistan as the teams into the final four from Group 2.

In the final Super 12 match, the Indian bowlers took control after pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah sent back Michael van Lingen for 14 to end a 33-run opening stand.

Jadeja struck three times with his left-arm spin and off-spinner Ashwin also rattled the Namibian middle and lower order with figures of 3-20.

Wiese put on 23 for the eighth wicket with Frylinck, who made an unbeaten 15, to add useful runs in the final few overs.

Number 10 Ruben Trumpelmann made 13 from six balls, including a six and a four in the 20th over from Mohammed Shami, but Namibia's total was not enough.

AFP Sport looks back at seven standout moments so far at the seventh edition of the tournament:

Awesome foursome

-- Fast bowler Curtis Campher took four wickets in four balls to help Ireland thrash Netherlands by seven wickets in a first week qualifier.

Campher claimed a hat-trick and then struck again to return figures of 4-26 as Netherlands were dismissed for 106.

Campher became only the third bowler in T20 International history to claim four wickets in four balls after Afghanistan's Rashid Khan and Lasith Malinga of Sri Lanka in 2019.

Pakistan end India jinx

-- Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan smashed unbeaten half-centuries as Pakistan crushed India by 10 wickets to register a first win over their arch-rivals in a T20 World Cup.

Chasing 152 for victory, Babar (68) and Rizwan (79) steered their team home with 13 balls to spare in Dubai.

Fans pray for 'peace' ahead of India-Pakistan clash

Left-arm quick Shaheen Shah Afridi set up victory -- Pakistan's first against their neighbours in six attempts in the tournament -- with figures of 3-31 that restricted India to 151-7 despite a valiant 57 from skipper Virat Kohli.

De Kock makes a stand

-- Quinton de Kock withdrew from South Africa's match against the West Indies after refusing to take the knee.

The 28-year-old's shock decision came just hours after Cricket South Africa (CSA) had ordered all of their players at the tournament to take part in the anti-racism gesture.

De Kock apologised two days later and said he would be happy to join the rest of the team in making a stand.

South Africa exit T20 World Cup despite win, England and Australia enter semis

"If me taking a knee helps to educate others, and makes the lives of others better, I am more than happy to do so," he said.

Kohli anger at 'spineless, pathetic' trolls

-- India captain Virat Kohli launched a blistering attack on "spineless" and "pathetic" fans, reserving particular vitriol for the trolls who blamed Mohammed Shami, the only Muslim player in the squad, for the loss to Pakistan.

"There's a good reason why we are playing on the field and not a bunch of spineless people on social media that have no courage to actually speak to any individual in person," said Kohli.

"Attacking someone over their religion is the most pathetic thing that a human being can do."

India stay alive in T20 World Cup after crushing win over Scotland

Pre-tournament favourites India went on to lose to New Zealand and failed to make the last-four.

Buttler serves masterclass

-- England made it four wins in four after Jos Buttler hit the first century of the World Cup in a 26-run victory over Sri Lanka.

Buttler's unbeaten 101 -- his maiden century in 86 T20 internationals -- steered England to 163 for four.

Former champions West Indies, Sri Lanka miss 2022 Super 12 spots

Buttler smashed six fours and six sixes in his 67-ball knock as he achieved the feat of making centuries in all three formats.

Hasaranga -- a star is born?

-- Sri Lanka may have been knocked out in the Super 12 stage but their youthful team caught the eye and are already being talked of as potential champions at the 2022 World Cup in Australia.

Wanindu Hasaranga, their leg-spinning all-rounder, stood out with 16 wickets at an average of under 10. The 24-year-old took his wickets total for 2021 to 36, the year's best at the time of his country's elimination.

"Hasaranga is a special cricketer," said coach Mickey Arthur.

'End of Windies generation'

-- West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard lamented the "end of a generation" as Dwayne Bravo brought the curtain down on his international career with Chris Gayle almost certain to join him in calling it quits.

Defending champions West Indies were defeated by Australia by eight wickets in their final group, their fourth loss in five matches.

Warner stars as Australia down West Indies to close in on semi-finals

Both Bravo, 38, and 42-year-old Gayle - who played in the 2012 and 2016 T20 title-winning teams -- were given a guard of honour by the Australian players in Abu Dhabi.

Kohli stepped out in Dubai as T20 skipper for one last time against Namibia in an inconsequential group match after they exited the tournament following New Zealand's win on Sunday.

The superstar batsman, who had already announced the tournament would be his last as skipper in the shortest format, said his deputy Rohit Sharma had been overseeing matters going into the game.

Kohli, 33, who will continue to captain India in Test and ODI cricket, took over the T20 captaincy from MS Dhoni in 2017.

He has led the team to great heights in Test and white-ball cricket but critics have always pointed at his failure to land a World Cup triumph in either T20 or ODI cricket.

Earlier this year they were also beaten by New Zealand in the first ever World Test Championship final at Lord's.

"It's been an honour for me, I was given the opportunity and I tried to do my best," Kohli said at the toss in his 50th match as T20 captain.

"But it's also time to create some space and move forward. I've been immensely proud of how the team has played.

"Now I think it's time for the next lot to take this team forward. Rohit has been looking on anyway, and Indian cricket is in good hands."

Rohit, a white-ball star and a swashbuckling opener, is the standout candidate to take over the reins with five Indian Premier League titles under his belt as captain of Mumbai Indians.

Seven moments from seventh edition of T20 World Cup

The prolific run-scorer, who has also quit as captain of Indian Premier League side Royal Challengers Bangalore and many have welcomed his decision to concentrate more on his batting.

Head coach Ravi Shastri will also bid adieu to the team after working alongside Kohli for five years.

Shastri, a former India all-rounder, reflected on his coaching tenure and the team he believes as "one of the greatest" of all times.

"Sometimes in life, it's not about all you accomplish, it's about what you overcome," Shastri told Star Sports.

"And what these guys have overcome in the last five years, the way they've performed in all corners of the world in all formats, will make this one of the greatest teams in the history of the game."

'Mentally drained'

Former batsman Rahul Dravid, who played 164 Tests and 344 ODIs for India, has been named as the new coach and will join the team ahead of the home series against New Zealand starting November 17.

"I think in Rahul Dravid they've got a guy who has inherited a great team and with his stature and experience it can only raise the bar," said Shastri.

"Virat has done a fantastic job as leader of the side, one of the best ambassadors of Test cricket. A lot of credit goes to him."

Former skipper Dravid appointed Indian men's cricket team head coach

However, Shastri said the side has been drained by six months of non-stop cricket including the IPL in the UAE which ended two days ahead of the T20 World Cup.

"I am mentally drained but I expect that at my age. These guys are physically and mentally drained," said Shastri.

"We would have liked a bigger gap between IPL and this. Six months in a bubble is tough. Not an excuse, we are not scared of losing -- in trying to win you will lose a game."