Pakistan batting consultant Matthew Hayden described Pakistan’s victory against New Zealand as a ‘special’ triumph and predicted that if India beats England in the other semi-final, the final could be "crazy chaos."
Pakistan qualified for the T20 World Cup 2022 final by defeating New Zealand at the SCG in Sydney on Wednesday.
Pakistan, who were on the verge of elimination after back-to-back defeats against India and Zimbabwe in their first two matches of the tournament, regrouped in style and, thanks to an improved performance and a few upsets, will now face the winner of the India vs England tie at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.
"I would like to face India. Just because of the pure spectacle of pretty of much a third of the population all tuning in at the same time. That is fantastic. Can you just imagine, let's cast our mind forward a couple of days, should India beat England, It will just be crazy chaos in Melbourne. But tonight was very special," Hayden told the broadcaster while revealing his pick to face Pakistan in the final at the MCG on Sunday.
Babar bounced back to form and smacked 53 runs off 42 balls, including seven fours.
Meanwhile, his opening Rizwan slammed 57 runs off 43 balls, packed with five fours and together, the duo forged a solid 105-run partnership for the first wicket, which is a record third ton partnership in T20 World Cup.
After being named Player of the Match, Mohammad Rizwan expressed his delight that the half-century came in the crucial semi-final along with off form skipper Babar Azam.
"Luckily, the fifty was in the semifinal. Babar and I were struggling but we worked hard and believed. We kept fighting. When we crossed the boundary line, we decided to take the attack to the new ball bowlers. When we finished the powerplay, we knew one of us had to bat deep as it was a tricky pitch. Our start (to the tournament) wasn't good, but the guys kept believing", Rizwan said.