Pakistan has been quick off the blocks in T20 World Cup 2021, winning all matches of their Super 12. Pakistan topped Group 2, meaning it will play Australia, which sealed its own spot by beating the West Indies on the weekend.
Meanwhile, New Zealand defeated Afghanistan to secure its own semi-final date against hot tournament favourites England and eliminate India in the process. Pakistan is favourite too but it’s still too early to get excited and assume that the World Cup trophy is coming home.
The final four
The semi-finalists for this edition are England, Australia, Pakistan and New Zealand. The final four were decided after a hard-fought Super 12 stage, where the top two teams from each group made it through.
Group 1 went down to the wire, with the teams having to wait till the final match, which was England v South Africa, for the top two to be clear. Both England and Australia won four out of five games in the group, with England taking top spot based on net run rate. South Africa too won four games in the group, but missed out on net run rate.
Pakistan is the only team among the four to be unbeaten so far. They won all games in Group 2, while New Zealand won four of their five matches, confirming their place in the top two with a win over Afghanistan in their final match.
The “dangerous” Australia
Over a dozen 50-over World Cups and half a dozen T20 World Cups, Pakistan has never beaten Australia in the knockout rounds. The closest they came was in 2010 when Pakistan had amassed 191 and Australian run chase was going awry when Michael Hussey’s heroic 60 off 24 turned the game.
The current Australian team appears light to the extent that some folks are already looking past them and are actually relieved that Pakistan appear set to face them rather than England. However, neither team can be ruled out or taken lightly in world cups.
Australia, in 2021 World Cup, started slowly and was overwhelmed by England, but they fought back strongly with big wins over Bangladesh and West Indies boosting their NRR. The opening pair of Aaron Finch and David Warner have been in excellent touch, their formidable pace attack has been incisive, and spinner Adam Zampa has struck regularly in the middle overs.
The Pakistan side
Pakistan has been undefeated through the Super 12s, with their batting and bowling both clicking in tandem. They have been the one team for whom the toss has not played a big part, able to put on big scores even while batting first.
Captain and opener Babar Azam has been in fine form, claiming the top spot on the ICC T20I Rankings for Batters. He is the top scorer in the tournament after the Super 12 stage, with four fifties against his name. He has formed a dangerous partnership at the top with Mohammad Rizwan, with the duo able to quickly assess the pitches and build their innings accordingly.
What should Pakistan do?
If Pakistan wins the toss in the crucial match against Australia, they should field first and try to keep Australia limited by taking quick wickets. Men in Green should restrict the Kangaroos 140 or 150.
However, if Pakistan bat first, the side should score at least 50 runs in the powerplay and almost 80 runs in first ten overs, while the minimum target should be 170. Only then, Pakistan will be able to defeat a tough opponent like Australia in the knockout stage.
