Australian skipper Aaron Finch lauded keeper-batter Matthew Wade for his scintillating knock against Pakistan in the semi-final 2 of ICC T20 World Cup 2021 at Dubai, saying that the way the southpaw held his nerves was amazing.
Australia claimed a 5-wicket victory over Pakistan to seal the spot in the final of the T20 World Cup 2021. Bowling first, Australian bowlers had no answers to the onslaught by Pakistani batters as on account of Mohammad Rizwan’s 67 and Fakhar Zaman’s unbeaten 55 runs, the Babar Azam-led side posted a total of 176 runs on the board.
Chasing the target, Australia lost skipper Aaron Finch for a golden duck in the very first over and were under tremendous pressure.
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The duo of David Warner and Mitchell Marsh tried to counter-attack and released some pressure, but it was only a matter of time as Shadab Khan chipped and recorded the figures of 4/26 to put Australia in all sorts of trouble.
With half of the Australian side back in the pavilion for just 96 runs, it almost seemed that Pakistan will make their way into the finals. But it wasn’t the case as the duo of Marcus Stoinis (40*) and Matthew Wade (41*) joined hands together, stitching unbeaten 81 runs for the 6th wicket and pulling off a win from the jaws of defeat for their team.
With 22 runs needed from the last two overs, although Matthew Wade survived a dropped chance, he went to smash three consecutive sixes against Shaheen Afridi to take his team into the finals of the T20 World Cup 2021.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Australian skipper Aaron Finch lauded Matthew Wade for the way he held his never and said that his partnership with Marcus Stoinis was crucial for his team to go through.
"Never thought it was in the bag. It was a great game of cricket. The way Wade held his nerve at the end was amazing. That partnership with Stoinis was crucial. I got my feet in a tangle and opening batsmen do get a few good balls now and then in T20 cricket," Aaron Finch said.
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Finch admitted that his side was sloppy in the field and they need the support of all 17 players to get across the line. He remarked that teams chasing in the tournament have been successful and he was hoping to lose the toss, bat first and put on a good total on the board.
"We were sloppy today in the field, a couple of tough ones. We need the support of all 17 players to get across the line. We have played some really good cricket in the back end. Teams chasing have been successful. There is no dew, the lights take effect. I was hoping I'd lose the toss, bat first and put up a good score on the board," he said.
Australia will now take on New Zealand in the final of the T20 World Cup in Dubai on Sunday (14th November)
(ANI inputs)
