PAK vs NZ, T20 World Cup 2022: PAK wins by seven wickets, with Babbar and Rizwan scoring fiftys.
Even though the cricket world wants arch-rivals India and Pakistan to reignite their World Cup rivalry at the grandest stage of all, England’s star batter Jos Buttler believes England will spoil the party for the Asian giants in the ICC event’s semi-final stage. Buttler’s England finished second in Group 1 to Kane Williamson’s New Zealand, as the former world champions advanced to the final stages of the showpiece event in Australia.
England’s qualification confirmed Australia’s elimination from the World Cup stage in the Super 12. While Buttler’s England will face Rohit Sharma’s Team India in the T20 World Cup semi-finals, last year’s runners-up New Zealand will face Babar Azam’s Pakistan. Buttler was asked how confident the Three Lions are about spoiling India’s World Cup party ahead of India’s meeting with England in the second semi-final.
When asked about the mood in the England camp, Buttler stated that his team is excited to face title contenders India in the World Cup’s penultimate match. Buttler said “We certainly don’t want to see an India-Pakistan final, so we’ll do everything in our power to prevent that from happening; we’re all very excited about the match. In my opinion, one of the best stadiums in the world against a brilliant Indian team, which I’m sure will be well supported tomorrow.”
England’s wicketkeeper-batsman also provided updates on Dawid Malan and Mark Wood. The English pair gave England a scare before their semi-final match against India.
Pakistan is back for the big title match in 2022 after appearing in the first two T20 World Cup semifinals, losing to India in 2007 and beating Sri Lanka in 2009. Since 2009, the men in green have qualified for the final four three times, losing all three. In 2010, Michael Hussey’s late show propelled Australia to a three-wicket victory in the final over. Sri Lanka defeated them by 16 runs in 2012.
In 2021, the Aussies would return to haunt them in the dying stages of the game, as Matthew Wade led the eventual defending champions to victory. In 2022, Pakistan left nothing to chance in a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over New Zealand.
