New Zealand will find out who they face in the final of the T20 World Cup 2021 when the second semi-final of the tournament is played out on Thursday as Pakistan take on Australia in a real heavyweight clash in Dubai.
Pakistan went through their Super 12 group unbeaten and looking pretty commanding in the process, while Australia beat all in their way with the exception of England. Whether that form has been franked is an open question.
Pakistan
I think it is fair to say that Pakistan have been the best team in this tournament. Their record suggests that is the case. You could argue if you wanted to that they were in the easier of the two groups but I don’t think it would have mattered given how they have played. They have had a massive advantage coming in here given that they have been based in this part of the world for the last 15 years or so, something that didn’t really get much air time ahead of the competition, but you still have to play well and they have.
Whenever Pakistan go into a global tournament you always wonder about their batting. Even though they have Babar Azam in their ranks that was still the case here but the experience they have in their order has served them well. We never have to worry too much about a Pakistan attack and we certainly don’t about this one. They have all bases covered when it comes to conditions. The only concern is that they have played the same XI for most of the tournament so if an injury comes along they will be forced to use someone who could be a little rusty.
Australia
While it hasn’t been much of a surprise that Pakistan have gone well in these conditions, it is much more of a shock that Australia have gone well in them. The encouraging thing for Australia is that I’m still not sure we have seen the best of them in this tournament. When you consider that they came out on top in the better of the two groups that is something that should give them a lot of confidence. They have had to play pressure matches in this tournament too which might give them an edge here.
Australia still have balance issues within their side and there is a case to be made that they are a batter light because they go in with the extra bowler, which probably isn’t necessary when you consider they have a genuine all-rounder in Mitchell Marsh. Another concern would be that their bowlers have been so good in recent times that their lower order haven’t seen much time at the crease. Only once since the opening match has their number six been needed. Possibly the biggest issue could be that the four games they won in this tournament were all done chasing. The one time they batted first they lost.
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Key Men
You would have to think this match is all about the Australia powerplay. If the Australia openers get going this could be a long night for Pakistan so the new ball spell of Shaheen Shah Afridi could be the one which makes the difference in the contest.
With that in mind, the form of Dave Warner could be the difference here too. He is the leading Australia batter in this tournament and if he gets going he could soon have the match taken away from Pakistan but if he falls early and exposes the middle order to the new ball Pakistan could soon swarm in.
Betting
As we saw in the opening semi-final on Wednesday, we can’t bet on the outcome of this match until we know which way the toss has gone. If we needed a reminder of that we got it in the first knockout match but you only have to look at the record in the tournament of Australia to know how important the toss is going to be in this one. I’ll head to the side markets for a bet for this match though where it is a player performance which catches my eye.
That is the performance of Mohammad Hafeez who has had a solid tournament without it being spectacular so far. He should carry a bit of confidence into this match given that he has posted scores in the 30s in the last two matches. They were only against Scotland and Namibia though but form is form. I think Hafeez will get in here and score a few runs but even if he doesn’t cover a 28.5 line with the bat there is enough to suggest he’ll go ok with the ball. We saw Ravindra Jadeja get the ball zagging here on Monday and he’s only a finger spinner like Hafeez. Hafeez is a canny spinner though and Australia are a mess playing spin so I wouldn’t be surprised if the Pakistan veteran picks up a wicket or two here. One wicket brings this target right down while a second one covers it. There is catches too so when you weigh up the scoring options in this match I like Hafeez to come out with 29pts from it.
Tips
Back M.Hafeez’s Performance – Over 28.5pts for a 3/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
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