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Australia defeated Pakistan in the second semi-final by five wickets to become the second finalist of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021 on Thursday.
Chasing a massive target of 177, Australia were struggling at 96/5 in 13 overs with only David Warner shining with the bat in the top-order. Warner scored 49 off 30 balls before Shadab Khan dismissed him.
Then, Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade did the unthinkable and took Australia home. The pair added an unbeaten stand of 81 runs to take Australia into the final. Stoinis remained not out on 40 off 31 balls while Wade stayed unbeaten on 41 from 17 deliveries.
With 22 needed off the last 12 balls, Wade smashed three sixes in the penultimate over bowled by Shaheen Afridi to take Australia over the line.
Earlier, Pakistan posted a massive 176/4 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to scintillating knocks by Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman. Rizwan top-scored with 67 off 52 balls, with the help of three fours and four sixes.
Zaman made a quick-fire 55 from 32 deliveries while captain Babar Azam made a handy contribution of 39 off 44 balls.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Waddeeyyyyyy!! 💪🏻👊🏻 #PAKVSAUS
— Peter Siddle (@petersiddle403) November 11, 2021
What a game !! Congrats to the Aussie boys on finding a way to win – well done to @davidwarner31 & Zamps. @MatthewWade13 who was absolutely bloody awesome, well done mate & the Hulk Stoinis was outstanding too. What a final between Aust & NZ at the #ICCT20WorldCup2021
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) November 11, 2021
Wow, Australia, Wow! What a knock from Matthew Wade!! This was Pakistan's game to win, but Australia were not to be denied. All to play for in trans-Tasman final, we are guaranteed a first-time champion. #AUSvsPAK #T20WorldCup
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 11, 2021
Special innings by Matthew wade ! Catches win matches and drop catches sometimes can be costly , ! Bad luck Pakistan I thought they were brilliant throughout the tournament . Congratulations to Australia and New Zealand! Should a be a cracker of a Sunday #PAKvAUS
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) November 11, 2021
Wadey!! AUSTRALIA!! Through to the final! Winning by five wickets! Wah wah! No words. Brilliant boys brilliant! What a match!!! 🔥 #AUSvPAK #T20WorldCup
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) November 11, 2021
Two semi-finals, both won by same margin.
1st semi-final – NZ won by 5 wickets and 6 balls remaining
2nd semi-final – AUS won with 5 wickets and 6 balls remainingBoth teams needed 60+ runs to chase in last five overs, but finished with an over to spare.#T20WorldCup
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) November 11, 2021
The toppers from both groups couldn't make it to the final.
T20 is a funny game and that's what makes it so interesting 💥Well played Australia!
So now we're gonna have a new T20 Champion with #AUSvNZ in final#PAKvsAUS pic.twitter.com/iOeLQZVGBt— DK (@DineshKarthik) November 11, 2021
Australia reaching another WC final #AUSvPAK #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/OhtpSBBd4i
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) November 11, 2021
You would have thought that if one team could make 176 look enough, it was Pakistan. But this Australian team has just got better and better as the tournament has progressed.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 11, 2021
Congratulations Australia for a fantastic run-chase.T20 WC will have a new winner. Warner played well. Stoinis-Wade were brilliant.Commiserations to Pakistan who were outstanding in this tournament. They provided a lot of joy to the supporters back home.Great effort #T20WorldCup
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) November 11, 2021
The Aussies got home with an over to spare! #T20WorldCup
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 11, 2021
#Australia #Aus & #NewZealand #NZ –
head to head in a final of an ICC event…
2009: at Centurion – Aus won by 6 wkts #CT
2015: at Melbourne – Aus won by 7 wkts #CWC
2021: at Dubai – #T20WorldCup#T20WorldCup2021— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) November 11, 2021
Australia are THROUGH to the #T20WorldCup FINAL! pic.twitter.com/2TP4Mhvuu9
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) November 11, 2021
AUSTRALIA WIN! Matthew Wade goes big and hits 3 sixes to win Australia the game with an over to spare. #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/CTTpRZG2vC
— Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel) November 11, 2021
Incredible effort from Matthew Wade off Shaheen to hit three consecutive at the end.
But by the time Shaheen bowled the 19th over, Pakistan were already behind.
Kane Williamson yesterday showed the virtues of using your best bowlers when they can have the greatest impact https://t.co/x2HFlmZv7g
— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) November 11, 2021
Matthew Wade’s super strength is striking against high pace. No player strikes at more than his 200 against them & here he was at the death, against the fastest attack of the comp. Despite opening the batting domestically it was the right man in the right place. #T20WorldCup
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) November 11, 2021
Australia are through to the final of the #T20WorldCup 2021 🔥#PAKvAUS | https://t.co/JDqHSywro7 pic.twitter.com/kPP8Ztu246
— ICC (@ICC) November 11, 2021
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) November 11, 2021
Pakistan's tournament began and ended with Shaheen Afridi!!!
Was super fun watching them play the way they did.#T20WorldCup— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) November 11, 2021