MELBOURNE: Following a surreal entry into the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 and thrashing New Zealand comprehensively, momentum-filled Pakistan are all set to take on England in the mega final for the first time after 1992 and the fans are craving for the alike result from Babar Azam-led Pakistan in the ongoing mega event.
Pakistan team’s journey in the ongoing T20 World Cup is nothing short of a miracle as following an upset defeat against Zimbabwe, Babar-led Green Shirts were on the verge of an early exit but they defied all the odds and unexpected help from the Netherlands, resulting in them making their way into the Final Four.
The 2009 champions then took on New Zealand in the semi-final just like legendary all-rounder Imran Khan-led ‘Cornered Tigers’ did and the result too turned out to be similar as Pakistan outclassed them to retain their dominance over the Kiwis in World Cups’ knockout games.
The resemblance of Pakistan’s journey to 1992, was enhanced when England thrashed India by 10 wickets in the second semi-final and booked the final clash with Pakistan.
But what are the odds of the inconsistent Pakistan side beating England and repeating the 1992 magic?
The form guide of both sides is pretty balanced, having won their respective semi-finals against a top opposition comprehensively, Pakistan and England would be looking to continue their momentum.
Pakistan and England promise an epic Final clash as it would be a battle between the lethal Pakistan bowling attack and a destructive batting lineup of England.
Having one of the strongest bowling attacks in the tournament, Pakistan would be targeting to give England an early jolt by disturbing their fierce opening stand of Jos Buttler and Alex Hales and they have the firepower to do so in the form of Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is the only Pakistan bowler to take at least a wicket in his first T20I over, the most number of times (seven).
Young sensation Naseem Shah and death-bowling specialist Haris Rauf could further coerce the strong-looking English batting line. Pakistan will try to resist any change in their bowling make-up as the addition of an extra fast bowler, Mohammad Wasim Jr, have paid them dividends in the last five matches.
Besides their pace factory, Pakistan got a highly reliable spin attack that features leg-spinner Shadab Khan, who has been the most impactful player for the Green Shirts be it with the ball or even with the bat, the all-rounder has made his presence felt and played some crucial roles in his side’s triumph.
Furthermore, Pakistan have ticked the much-needed box before the mega final as their openers – Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan – found their form back as they played a crucial role in the team’s triumph over New Zealand with a century-plus stand.
Hence, the Green Shirts will be hoping both their openers to fire at the grand stage.
Meanwhile, despite England’s strength lies in their batting depth, their bowling attack can not be written off that features the likes of Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan, Sam Curran, Ben Stokes, Adil Rashid, Liam Livingstone and Moeen Ali.
Their speedster Mark Wood and top-order batter Dawid Malan, who missed the semi-final against India, are unlikely to be available for selection in the final against Pakistan. Their unavailability can turn out to be a major concern for the Buttler XI.
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Will rain spoil the exciting final at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground?
Pakistan cricket fans’ quest to see the national team lifting its second T20 World Cup on Sunday might get unsettled as dark clouds loom over Melbourne with rain likely to spoilsport in Sunday’s final at MCG.
According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, there is a very high chance of showers, 95 per cent, in Melbourne on Sunday, November 13.
As per the ICC rules, there is a reserve day for the knock-out games of the tournament. So, if the final is washed out on Sunday, it will be played on Monday, November 14. If the rain interrupts after the game has started, it will resume on the next day from the same point onwards.
A minimum of 10 overs need to be bowled in the second innings to produce the outcome through the Duckworth-Lewis method (DLS), which is five overs more than the normal rule.
However, there is a high possibility of rain on Monday as well. So in case, it rains on reserve day too and the final gets washed out on Monday as well then both teams will share the title and will end up as joint winners of the T20 World Cup 2022.
HEAD TO HEAD
Pakistan and England came face to face twice in T20 World Cups in the 2009 and 2010 editions with the latter side emerging victorious each time but interestingly, the two sides later went on to lift the trophy in respective editions.
In T20Is however, England and Pakistan have faced each other in 28 matches. Out of these 28 games, England have won 18 whereas Pakistan have come out victorious on 9 occasions and one match ended without a result.
FORM GUIDE
Pakistan: W, W, W, W, L
England: W, W, W, L, W
