Pakistan advanced to the Twenty20 World Cup final after defeating New Zealand by seven wickets in front of a raucous crowd largely made up of their compatriots at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
Paceman Shaheen Afridi took 2-24 as the Black Caps were restricted to 152-4 before openers Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam found their scoring touch with half centuries in a 105-run stand to lay the foundation for victory.
Pakistan advanced to the last four only after the Netherlands upset South Africa last Sunday, but will now face either India or England in the title decider in Melbourne on Sunday.
It means a lot (to reach the final), We did not start the tournament well but after South Africa lost we took our opportunity and we are playing our best cricket and in the final.” said Pakistan captain Babar.
