Wade special takes Australia through to finals

Rex Clementine in Dubai

Some stunning death over hitting by Matthew Wade helped Australia to record a come from behind victory over former champions Pakistan and book a place in the ICC T-20 World Cup finals against Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand.

With Australia requiring 22 from the last two overs, Babar Azam called up his best bowler Shaeen Afridi rather than leaving him for the last over. But some maniac hitting by Wade gave Australia their first T-20 World Cup final in 11 years.

Afridi nearly won the game for Pakistan when Wade mishit one but Hasan Ali at deep mid-wicket dropped the chance. Wade then made Pakistan pay with some superb improvisation.

For the next ball, Wade had the guts to shuffle and play a stunning scoop shot for six and he didn’t stop there hitting two more sixes in successive balls to seal the game for the Aussies with an over to spare.

Wade’s unbeaten 41 came off just 17 balls with two fours and four sixes. Marcus Stoinis was 40 not out with two fours and two sixes. The pair were involved in an unfinished 81 run stand for the sixth wicket that came off 46 deliveries.

Afridi’s first three overs had only cost 23 runs and he looked to be the match winner having removed Aaron Finch for a first ball duck. But Wade made him look ordinary with some sensational hitting.

Pakistan were brilliant in their batting display after losing the toss. With the dew setting in late in the night, they need a competitive total and the openers put on 47 runs in the Power Play, their highest in the competition with the previous best being 43 for no loss against India.

Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam added 71 in ten overs before the captain was dismissed as leg-spinner Adam Zampa struck.

Rizwan went onto make a fine 67 off 52 balls with three fours and four sixes.

The impetus for the innings was provided by Fakhar Zaman whose 32 ball 55 pushed Pakistan’s total beyond 175. There were three fours and four sixes in his knock.

Australia appeared to have got things under control but the death overs cost them dearly with the 17th over bowled by Josh Hazelwood costing 21 runs while Starc gave away 15 runs in the next over. Starc was called up to bowl the last over and that went for 15 runs including back to back sixes by Fakhar.

In the end, that did not really matter as some sensational batting saw Australia over the line.