Pakistan completely overpowered New Zealand in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final at the Sydney Cricket Ground. They won by seven wickets with five balls to spare to book their place in the final at the MCG on Sunday.

It was a masterful all-round performance by Pakistan, with Shaheen Shah Afridi removing Finn Allen in the first over of the match, before the rest of the bowlers restricted New Zealand to just 152-4 off their 20 overs. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan then put on a partnership of over 100, each scoring fifties, to set Pakistan on track for a momentous victory. Mohammad Haris chipped in with a 26-ball 30 after Babar was dismissed by Trent Boult, before Shan Masood sealed the win with a single off the first ball of the final over.

Having lost their first two matches of the Super 12, including a difficult loss to Zimbabwe, Pakistan looked almost certainly headed out of the tournament. But, victories over South Africa and Bangladesh meant that following the Netherland’s victory over South Africa, they were able to qualify for the knockout stage and now the tournament final. It has been a remarkable journey for Pakistan in the competition, and there was plenty of social media reaction to their victory.

 

Yay 😀 clinical performance congratulations 🥳 to team Pakistan 🇵🇰 and of course to all Pakistanis . Now let’s enjoy the finals . #PakvsNz #T20WorldCup2022

— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) November 9, 2022

Congratulations to the Pakistan team on their brilliant and high-energy performance in the semi-finals. Huge congratulations to the great coach and mentor behind the team, the one who never failed to set an example himself @HaydosTweets #PakvsNz #T20WorldCup2022

— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) November 9, 2022

Admirable journey in this World Cup for team Pakistan coming from behind. #PakvsNz

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 9, 2022

Unbelievable scenes here. Pakistan into the finals! pic.twitter.com/1daHiYa3ZO

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) November 9, 2022

Some highlighted the performances from Babar and Rizwan, after particularly Babar struggled for form in the Super 12, the captain making just 39 runs across his previous five innings.

 

Babar and Rizwan have delivered the Day it Mattered #PakvsNZ

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) November 9, 2022

Let your success make the noise 😉😎 @babarazam258

The world is too small for jealousy and hate, spread love and support him.
Pakistan Zindabad! 🇵🇰#NZvPAK #T20worldcup pic.twitter.com/kQpRTyEEQc

— Imam Ul Haq (@ImamUlHaq12) November 9, 2022

They thought they got rid of us, they won’t get rid of us now 💚 #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/7yr6Naw8PG

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) November 9, 2022

Fresh from victory, explosive all-rounder Shadab Khan tweeted his excitement for the final.

Melbourne here we come. This win is for all the fans of Pakistan cricket who supported us in our tough time. Alhamdulillah. We will try our best in the final too. Literally behind you skipper @babarazam258. Always believe. #Yakeen #PakistanZindabad pic.twitter.com/ucrZDTEZF7

— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) November 9, 2022

Bet365 will be Live Streaming all of the T20 World Cup matches direct to your iPhone, iPad or Android device, as well as desktop. This means that every T20 World Cup fixture will be available to bet365 customers wherever they are in the world.