Matthew Wade and Marcus Stones went unbeaten in a six-stroke group to lead Australia to the Twenty20 World Cup final with a five-wicket victory over Pakistan on Thursday. Chasing 177 for the win, Australia struggled at 965 when Stones (40) and Wade, who knocked out all six winners in his 41, scored 81 points to end the game with a reserve in Dubai. Southpaw Wade, who was abandoned by Hasan Ali on the 21st, smashed three consecutive sixes against Shaheen Shah Africa in the 19th set of a title challenge with New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday.
“It was a great cricket match. The way Matthew Wade showed courage was exceptional, the partnership with Marcus Stones was crucial,” said Australian captain Aaron Finch. David Warner scored 49 before being caught behind twin Shadab Khan, who took four wickets. Australia took a first hit when Shaheen trapped skipper Aaron Finch lbw for nothing as the Pakistani-dominated crowd erupted. Warner Information continued the attack throughout, with the support of Mitchell Marsh. But Shadab upped the pressure in the seventh to get Marsh out for 28.
“The way we started in the first half, we got the total we set for ourselves,” said Pakistani skipper Ba bar Adam. Legspinner Adam Tampa broke the opening stand after sacking Ba bar, who amassed 303 points to lead the tournament batting table, caught long after his 34-ball shot stitched with five fours. Rizal continued the attack and crushed Tampa by six to become the first player to score 1,000 points in the T20 internationals in a calendar year. He survived a helmet grille hit by a quick bouncer from Pat Cummins as the physiotherapist walked in to perform a concussion test with the smiling batter.
Josh Hazelwood, a six-and-one peace thrower, increased his fifty to 41 balls with Haman on the other end before blowing him up as well. Rizal eventually ran into Mitchell Star as he tried to force the pace and was caught mid-game, ending an offensive partnership that ended in 46 balls. Listen to the latest songs, only on JioSaavn.com, Haman closed the rounds with two sixes in the final on Star which took two wickets.
