Pakistan have booked their place in the T20 World Cup final after beating New Zealand by seven wickets in a brilliant semi-final victory to set up a blockbuster clash against either England or India.
Shaheen Shah Afridi was the star of the show with the ball, picking up 2-24 and taking the crucial wickets of explosive opener Finn Allen and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson as the Kiwis were limited to a total of 152-4.
Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam were then back to their best with the bat, putting on a brilliant opening partnership worth 105 to break the back of the chase. Babar, who had reached double figures just once at the tournament, rediscovered his form with an excellent 53, while Rizwan struck 57.
Pakistan's bowlers did well to limit New Zealand to just 152, removing both Allen and Devon Conway in the powerplay and conceding just 38 runs. Mohammad Nawaz then picked up the massive wicket of New Zealand's leading run scorer Glenn Phillips, getting him caught and bowled for just six.
Williamson, meanwhile, was unable to kick on after making 46 off 42 balls and striking just two boundaries, getting bowled by Afridi in the 17th over. Daryl Mitchell did his utmost to get New Zealand to a competitive total, scoring an impressive unbeaten 53 off 35, but it was nowhere near enough.
Pakistan's chase began with Rizwan hammering Trent Boult through the covers for four and, after Conway dropped a difficult chance behind the stumps to dismiss Babar first ball, they did not look back and were in control from ball one.
The pair struck their highest individual scores of the tournament so far and New Zealand's bowlers did not have an answer to their quality with a below-par total to defend. Rizwan and Babar put on their ninth opening partnership of more than 100 runs, more than any other duo in the history of T20Is.
Both Babar and Rizwan both holed out late on in the innings as New Zealand threatened to pull off a remarkable comeback, but Mohammad Haris and Shan Masood were able to help guide them home, with former Australia quick Dirk Nannes calling the win an "absolute drubbing".
They will now face either England or India in the final in what should be a magnificent end to an excellent tournament. Pakistan and India have perhaps the greatest rivalry in sport, while England and Pakistan competed in an enthralling seven-match T20I series ahead of the World Cup.
