[ritchiebaby]

Scotland inevitably are well beaten by Pakistan, but made half-decent inroads into the Pakistan total by reaching 117, mainly thanks to Richard Berrington's unbeaten 54 off 37 balls. Earlier Pakistan hammered Scotland into virtual submission with Shoaib Malik being the chief tormentor also with 54 not out, but off only 18 balls.

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Week Four Roundup

The semi-finals on Wednesday and Thursday promise to be an exciting watch, with England facing New Zealand in a repeat of the 2019 fifty-over final, before Australia take on Pakistan and their 100% record in the tournament thus far. Of the players still in the running, Babar Azam is now firmly in the lead as top run-scorer, though Jos Buttler is just twenty-four runs behind, while Mohammad Rizwan would be back in contention with a semi-final half-century. The final four aren't quite so well-represented in the hunt for wickets, though Adam Zampa and Trent Boult are tied on eleven scalps behind Wanindu Hasaranga, who'd be disappointed if his sixteen-wicket haul - a new record at a T20 World Cup - doesn't hold out at the top for the plaudits it deserves.

Leading Run-scorers

1. Babar Azam (PAK) - 264
2. Jos Buttler (ENG) - 240
3. Charith Asalanka (SRI) - 231
4. David Wiese (NAM) - 227
5. Pathum Nissanka (SRI) - 221


Leading Wicket-takers

1. Wanindu Hasaranga (SRI) - 16
2. Adam Zampa (AUS) - 11 [for 109]
3. Trent Boult (NZ) - 11 [for 115]
4. Shakib Al Hasan (BAN) - 11 [for 123]
5. Anrich Nortje (SA) - 9 [for 104]

[Lord Snooty]

Right then. England set NZ a target of 167.

Another tie, anybody?

[ritchiebaby]

I think it's all yours for the taking now, with Guptill gone.

[Lord Snooty]

Snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. 

---

I was driving home, listening to TMS. Livingstone bowled the 16th and took a wicket with only two runs conceded. The Kiwis needed something like 60 of 30 before.

I called at the Co-op for some bits, came out and NZ had taken the game by the scruff.

What on earth happened while I was shopping?

[themaclad]

Jordan went for 23 in the 17th and that was as good as it got

[ritchiebaby]

NZ must have scored 58 runs in their last 3 overs - stunning stuff. My prediction shows you how much I know about cricket.

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Recorded it and just got through watching, without knowing the result. With New Zealand keeping plenty of wickets in hand there was always the chance that they'd throw the kitchen sink at the death bowlers, but there was soome poor stuff being sent down nevertheless. Jordan set the scene with a string of wides and half-volleys, and neither Rashid or Woakes could really do any better. Was a pivotal moment in the field when Bairstow did a Trent Boult on the boundary rope too (and right on the same spot), as a wicket right there could have totally changed the momentum. Can't begrudge New Zealand the win having lost 2019 on a technicality, but in future England need a Bumrah who can come in and nail those yorkers at the death.

[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Final Roundup

Despite an indifferent start to their chase, Australia ended up doing to Pakistan exactly what New Zealand had done to England twenty-four hours earlier, completing victory by exactly the same margin and with exactly the same number of balls remaining to see off the tournament's runaway favourites and set up a Trans-Tasman derby in Sunday's final; undoubtedly the biggest encounter between the sides since the 2015 World Cup final.  Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan retire from the competition placed first and second in the run stakes, though the likelihood of holding onto those positions will be scant consolation.  David Warner could steal Azam's thunder with 68 at the weekend - so far this World Cup his high scores have been 65 against Sri Lanka and 89* versus the West Indies - but he's the only remaining batsman liable to reach the top, barring something truly extraordinary from Daryl Mitchell (needing 107) or Martin Guptill (needing 124). Elsewhere, Hasaranga's record haul of World Cup wickets looks safe at the moment, but could be equalled on Sunday with four scalps for Adam Zampa, five for Trent Boult, seven for Mitchell Starc or Ish Sodhi, or eight for Josh Hazlewood or Tim Southee.

Leading Run-scorers

1. Babar Azam (PAK) - 303
2. Mohammad Rizwan (PAK) - 281
3. Jos Buttler (ENG) - 269
4. David Warner (AUS) - 236
5. Charith Asalanka (SRI) - 231


Leading Wicket-takers

1. Wanindu Hasaranga (SRI) - 16
2. Adam Zampa (AUS) - 12
3. Shakib Al Hasan (BAN) - 11 [for 123]
4. Trent Boult (NZ) - 11 [for 155]
5. Mitchell Starc (AUS) - 9