Stop start semi-final countdown in a climax to $ 1.6m prize money and World Cup
The semi-final run up heightened by a typical fluctuating stop start countdown has brought alive the T20 World Cup, cricket’s most scintillating extravaganza full circle in a head on showdown of the last four in an equal two way split of the European hemisphere versus the sub continent. The course of the game’s shortest version enriching the game though for its roaring intensity superseding the two other formats, has climaxed in a needling gallop that saw South Africa who were but a step away from going through once again ending up in their choker reputation shocked by little known Netherlands.
If it was another blow to South African cricket seeped in a past as one of cricket’s heavyweights, their crashing out has ironically opened the gateway for Pakistan, who were on the brink of elimination, to standing in the glee of a semi-final showdown versus New Zealand. That semi-final dream from the desperation of early losses to India and lesser known Zimbabwe puts Babar Azam’s charges another step away from a tilt at the world cup tomorrow at 8 am at the Sydney Cricket Ground. For the tournament best record 7 points up Group 1 leaders New Zealand gearing for that final charge to cup glory whether the as unpredictable Pakistanis would stop Kane Williamson’s men in their tracks towards their cup dream by making it to the grand final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground has indeed galvanised the fast fad showpiece of fingers crossed anticipation.
The final climax to the $ 1.6. million winner takes all pot of gold to go with the glittering world cup will be the second semi-final clash between Group 2 table leaders India and Group 2 second placed England – a showdown that holds out the promise of a humdinger going by the enthralling passageway of the two sides. Kane Williamson’s team downed hosts and reigning champions Australia in their first encounter but was brought down by England before making amends by an unscathed record since then. That Rohit Sharma’s men have ignited the tournament in a true to reputation knack of doing the virtual impossible by the 21-ball 61 magic by Suryakumar Yadav in that 71-run pasting of Zimbabwe in booking a semi-final berth. It has infused the type of hype in that final big stakes thrust that is the lending fire to the cup showdown where a well knitted England led by Joss Buttler has unleashed a brilliant run up to looking the most competent team to laying hands on the world cup.
The net run rate has been a swaying factor to deciding the last four with reigning champions Australia ironically knocked out of the reckoning by England for second place in Group 1 despite winning all but one match in the final scramble.
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