✪ Second semifinal: On song Pakistan versus resurgent Australia
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_padding=”3px||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_css_main_element=”width: 75% !important;” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_css_main_element_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element_phone=”width: 100% !important;” custom_css_main_element_tablet=”width: 75% !important;”][et_pb_blurb title=”K R Nayar” image=”https://cricketlovers.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/K-R-Nayar1.png” icon_placement=”left” content_max_width=”1100px” image_icon_width_tablet=”” image_icon_width_phone=”” image_icon_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” content_max_width_tablet=”” content_max_width_phone=”” content_max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Poppins|700|||on||||” header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”#E02B20″ header_font_size=”16px” body_font=”Poppins||||||||” body_text_align=”left” body_text_color=”#565656″ custom_padding=”|||550px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|||20px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_blurb_image=”width:70px;” image_max_width_tablet=”” image_max_width_phone=”” image_max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]Senior cricket writer & analyst
[/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”8px||||false|false” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” hover_enabled=”0″ box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]Abu Dhabi. Pakistan, known as the most unpredictable team in the world, takes on the once-unstoppable Australia in the second semifinal of the T20 World Cup 2021 at the Dubai International Stadium on November 11.
This story was published in News Trail, Bangalore
Time and again when Pakistan has lost matches after a stupendous win they have been called the unpredictable team. In this tournament, it has not been just one win but a string of victories, and they remain unbeaten so far. And if their journey in this tournament culminates in them walking away with the trophy, it will be special for this team. They are now just two steps away from achieving it.
Before the start of the tournament, had anyone mentioned that Pakistan would be the favourites over Australia, many would have laughed it off. But Pakistan’s performance in this tournament has been so clinical that the Australians will have to extract their magical form from their invincible era to win this match.
Pakistan is on a roll while the Australians have had a bumpy ride so far. The Aussies may look strong on paper, but on the field, especially in this tournament, Pakistan players seem far superior. The difference between Pakistan and Australia is that every Pakistan player has delivered what is expected of him. They have risen to the challenge of the occasion.
Many were skeptical of what 41-year-old Mohammad Hafeez or 39-year-old Shoaib Malik would do in a T20 format that is generally accepted as an event for youngsters. Instead, they not only proved to be match-winners but also showed that a team made of youngsters does need seniors to inspire and guide them.
When Australia played against a strong England team, their strength was far behind. Now they take on Pakistan, the strongest team in this tournament so far. Australia has stars who have the experience and reputation as top-class T20 players. Now they need to deliver in this match to validate their reputation. David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, and their skipper Aaron Finch, are all players who can win matches on their own. They have bowlers like Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and spinner Adam Zampa, all of who can wreck any batting lineup on their day. The question is who among these will put their hands up and do it.
Pakistan’s victories have all been a united effort. Skipper and opener Babar Azam is one of the finest batsmen in world cricket today and his partner Mohammad Rizwan is in sublime form. What has been special about this team is that whenever there has been a failure in the top-order, their lower-order batsmen like the experienced Hafeez, Malik, or the dangerous Asif Ali, have stepped forward to lift the team. With regards to their bowlers, right from pacer Shaheen Afridi down to the spinners, each one knows that what needs to be done is to take wickets. And with their outstanding fielding, it makes the bowlers look even more dangerous. A united Pakistan team can be the strongest, and in this tournament, the entire team is on that one mission – to emerge champions.
Victories are never carved out of reputation. It is based on who delivers for the team when needed the most. Almost every Pakistan player has done it so far in this tournament and that is why they have marched into the semifinal with their heads held high. This is Australia’s chance to wipe off all their blemishes from this tournament and collectively regain their reputation. For Pakistan, Dubai is one of their home grounds since they play here regularly. In the stands, while Pakistan fans will outnumber the Australians, only the one who outscores the other on the field will be in the final on Sunday.
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