The thrilling nail-biting semifinals of T20 World Cup 2021 have given us the two finalists- New Zealand and Australia, both of whom would be eyeing their maiden T20 WC title. While Australia would be smelling the air of the T20 WC finals twice now, for Kane Williamson's led side, it is their first experience.
The feistiness of Australia will clash with the tactical shrewdness of a perennially understated New Zealand when the Trans-Tasman rivals battle for their maiden T20 World Cup trophy here on Sunday.
Considering how both Australia and New Zealand won their respective semifinals against fancied opponents, one can expect another dramatic finish at the "Ring of Fire".
Look at New Zealand's quick Trent Boult's bowling figures in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2021.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead speaks up before New Zealand vs Australia clash on Sunday.
New Zealand wicketkeeper Devon Conway undertakes behind-the-wicket drills ahead of the T20 World Cup Final against Australia on Sunday.
New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham, who knows a thing or two about heartbreaks on a cricket field, held back his celebrations when his teammates jumped in joy after the tense semifinal win over England in the T20 World Cup. Neesham had his reasons to not move an inch in the dugout after scoring a momentum-changing 27 off 11 balls in the first semifinal.
"It's a situation worthy of celebrating I guess - winning a semi-final - but you don't come halfway around the world just to win a semi-final," Neesham told New Zealand Cricket when asked about his rather muted celebrations.
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File photo of Kane Williamson and Aaron Finch
Australia's Road to Final
Australia vs South Africa Aaron Finch's team started the campaign on high with a thrilling win over South Africa by 5 wickets in the last over.
Australia vs Sri Lanka David Warner's fifty guided Australia to a 7 wicket win over Sri Lanka to claim two wickets in two matches.
Australia vs England Australia faced their first defeat by 8 wickets in this World Cup against arch-rivals England in their third game. England's Jos Buttler was the hero of the match.
Australia vs Bangladesh Australia bounced back stronger against Bangladesh with a big win which boosted their Net Run Rate. Men in Yellow won the game with 8 wickets and 13.4 overs in hand.
Australia vs West Indies David Warner continued his brilliant form to guide Australia to yet another win against West Indies to end the Super - 12 stage on a positive note.
Australia vs Pakistan Semifinal It was Matthew Wade's heroics and some poor fielding efforts by Pakistan that guided Australia to their second T20 World Cup final. Aaron Finch's side thrashed Men in Green by 5 wickets.
Image Source : AP NEWSROOM
File image of Australian cricket team
New Zealand's road to final
New Zealand vs Pakistan Kane Williamson's side received a poor start when they faced Pakistan in their campaign opener. Pakistan won the game by 5 wickets.
New Zealand vs India In what was a virtual quarter-final, New Zealand kept their calm and won the game by 8 wickets against India.
New Zealand vs ScotlandMartin Guptill's 93 guided Blackcaps to a resounding victory over brave Scotland.
New Zealand vs Namibia The pace duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee dented Namibia's chase to guide Kiwis to 52 runs victory.
New Zealand vs Afghanistan It was a must-win game for New Zealand in order to qualify for the semifinal. With Trent Boult's 3 wicket haul, Kiwis secured their place in the semifinal with an 8 wicket win over Afghanistan.
New Zealand vs EnglandSemifinal James Neesham's blistering cameo followed by a brilliant finish by Daryl Mitchell helped New Zealand beat England by 5 wickets. With this Blackcaps entered their first T20 World Cup final.
New Zealand's batsman Devon Conway leaves the field after being dismissed by England's Liam Livingstone for 46 runs during the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup semi-final match between England and New Zealand in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021.
New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Devon Conway on Thursday was ruled out of the final of the 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup and the subsequent tour of India due to a broken hand. Conway sustained the injury in the semi-final against England. Frustrated after being dismissed, Conway hit his own bat and scans today confirmed that he had broken his fifth metacarpal in his right hand.
For someone who was involved in a nerve-wracking Super Over finish in the 2019 ODI World Cup final where England controversially won on the boundary count rule, Neesham said he and his teammates have their eyes firmly set on the final against Australia on Sunday. Both teams are yet to win a T20 World Cup title. "It's a situation worthy of celebrating I guess - winning a semi-final - but you don't come halfway around the world just to win a semi-final," Neesham told New Zealand Cricket when asked about his rather muted celebrations.
Former England skipper Mike Atherton feels New Zealand is the strongest team across all three formats of the game at the moment after the Black Caps reached their maiden T20 World Cup final. New Zealand registered a sensational five-wicket win over favourites England here on Wednesday in the first semifinals. It would be their third final appearance at an ICC global event in as many years.
How New Zealand entered T20 World Cup 2021 Final
Image Source : AP PHOTO/AIJAZ RAHI
New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell, right, and Mitchell Santner celebrate winning the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup semi-final match between England and New Zealand in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021.
New Zealand entered the final of the ICC T20 World Cup with a five-wicket win over England in a thrilling first semifinal in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
Chasing 167 to win, Daryl Mitchell anchored the innings with a sensational unbeaten 72 off 47 balls, while Devon Conway scored a 38-ball 46.
James Neesham smashed 27 off 11 runs to play a crucial role in the chase. Chris Woakes (2/36) and Liam Livingstone (2/22) were the most successful bowlers for England.
Invited to bat, England posted 166 for four riding on Moeen Ali's 51 not out and some useful contributions from Dawid Malan (42), Jos Buttler (29) and Liam Livingstone (17).
For New Zealand, Tim Southee (1/24), Adam Milne (1/31), Ish Sodhi (1/32) and James Neesham (1/18) were the wicket-takers.
Brief scores:
England: 166 for 4 in 20 overs (Moeen Ali 51 not out, Dawid Malan 42; Tim Southee 1/24); New Zealand: 167 for 5 in 19 overs (Daryl Mitchell 72; Liam Livingstone 2/22)
How Australia entered the Final of T20 World Cup 2021
Image Source : AP PHOTO/KAMRAN JEBREILI
Australia's Marcus Stoinis, holding helmet, and Matthew Wade celebrate after winning the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup semi-final match between Pakistan and Australia in Dubai, UAE, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021.
Australia defeated Pakistan by five wickets to enter the final of the ICC T20 World Cup in Dubai on Thursday. Sent into bat, Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman smashed quick fifties as Pakistan posted a challenging 176 for four.
Opening the innings, Rizwan scored 67 off 52 balls during which he hit three boundaries and four sixes, while Zaman remained unbeaten on 55 off 32 balls with the help of three fours and four sixes.
Together with skipper Babar Azam (39), Rizwan shared 71 runs for the opening stand before stitching 72 runs with Zaman.
For Australia, Mitchell Starc picked up two wickets for 38 runs.
Chasing, David Warner made 49, while Matthew Wade smashed a 17-ball unbeaten 41 and Marcus Stoinis was not out on 40 off 31 deliveries as Australia overhauled the target with an over to spare. Shadab Khan was the best bowler for Pakistan with figures of 4 for 26.
Brief scores:
Pakistan: 176 for 4 wickets in 20 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 67, Fakhar Zaman 55 not out; Mitchell Starc 2/38); Australia: 177 for 5 in 19 overs (David Warner 49, Matthew Wade 41 not out, Marcus Stoinis 40 not out; Shadab Khan 4/26)
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