TWENTY20 WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL 1
* New Zealand v Pakistan, SCG, Wednesday night
The most consistent team of the tournament will meet a side that is capable of anything, the good and the bad. New Zealand will be determined to right the wrongs of three painful defeats in recent World Cup finals (two ODIs and one T20). The Black Caps were comprehensively beaten by Australia in last year's decider in the UAE but appear a more balanced and fearless side 12 months on. Their only loss in the group stage was to England, with Finn Allen, Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips firing with the bat and bowlers such as Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson and Trent Boult in good form. Pakistan, meanwhile, surged into the final four due to South Africa unexpectedly losing their last two matches. Babar Azam's team looked to have blown their semi-final prospects when they lost the opening two games of the tournament in heartbreaking fashion, including a classic at the MCG against rivals India. But with a stroke of luck, Pakistan are through and look to be peaking at the right time.
SEMI-FINAL 2
* India v England, Adelaide Oval, Thursday night
These cricketing powerhouses will pack out the Adelaide Oval in a battle many tipped as the decider. India and England both did enough during the group stage to qualify for the last four without ever playing the perfect game. Virat Kohli's welcome return to form after almost three below-par years has been a major reason why India can add a second T20 World Cup crown to the one they held up in 2007. If India qualify for the final they will fancy themselves of saluting after pulling off two wins at the MCG during the group stage in crowds almost entirely supporting them. England don't have the same fond memories at the MCG having lost to Ireland there in a major boilover that threatened to derail their campaign. Even without the injured Jonny Bairstow, England boast arguably the most batting fire-power of any team in the tournament.
