Pakistan vs New Zealand Highlights, Semi-Final, T20 World Cup 2022: Pakistan reaches T20 World Cup final after 13 years, Babar Azam & Mohammad Rizwan shines with the bat

Who would've believed before the game between South Africa and the Netherlands that Pakistan would play in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup? But believe it or not, this is now a reality. A brilliant opening stand between Rizwan and Azam ensured Pakistan get past the target and beat New Zealand convincingly by 7 wickets. Get the PAK vs NZ Live Score of the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022 at Sportskeeda.

Thank you for joining us for the first semi-final between New Zealand and Pakistan. We hope you enjoyed the live session. Stay connected with Sportskeeda for all the cricketing action as India plays England tomorrow in the second semi-final of the ICC T20 World Cup.

After the win, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said, "Thanks to the crowd. We feel like we're playing at home. Got a good start with the first 6 overs with the ball. Later on the ball didn't come on well. Fast bowlers finished well. We planned before going that we'll utilise the powerplay. He's a young guy and showing his aggression (Haris). He's playing very well. We're going to enjoy this moment. But at the same time have focus on the final."

After the loss, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson said, "We were put under pressure early. Pakistan bowled very nicely. We managed to wrestle back some momentum with an unbelievable knock from Mitchell. At the halfway stage we were feeling it was a competitive total. Wicket was a bit tough - used surface. Very disappointing to not make Pakistan work a lot harder. They were outstanding. We were outplayed. It's a tough pill for us to swallow. Babar and Rizwan put us under pressure. If we're honest, we wanted to be more disciplined in our areas. At the end of the day, Pakistan certainly deserve to be winners. There's been a lot of good cricket. Throughout the round-robin, we've played nicely. Today we weren't at our best. Having said that, we know the fickle nature of T20 cricket."

We now have the captains ready for the post-match presentation. Stay tuned!

Mohammad Rizwan, the Player of the Match said, "Luckily, the fifty was in the semifinal. Babar and I were struggling but we worked hard and believed. We kept fighting. When we crossed the boundary line, we decided to take the attack to the new ball bowlers. When we finished the powerplay, we knew one of us had to bat deep as it was a tricky pitch. Our start (to the tournament) wasn't good, but the guys kept believing."

The news is Pakistan is into the final of the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup after 13 years after a collective batting and bowling effort from the side.

A game-changing moment was the dropped catch of Babar Azam in the first over who went on to score a fifty. Who knows what would've happened had that catch been taken cleanly?

Pakistan becomes the first side to reach the final and they now wait for the second semi-final between India and England.

Mohammad Rizwan receives the player of the match award for his fine knock of 57 runs.

There it is, Masood hits the winning runs. Pakistan are into the finals of the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup!

Pakistan needs one run to enter the final of the T20 World Cup.

A wide from Southee, scores are leveled.

It's 2 runs to get for Pakistan with 6 deliveries left. Southee will bowl the final over.

Another one goes down but it really doesn't matter now. Pakistan is just 2 runs away from victory as Haris departs for a well-made 30.

A dropped catch from Sodhi, he put in the dive but it just popped out his hands. New Zealand haven't been good in this department tonight,

It's 8 required now from the last two overs. Pakistan is just two hits away from entering the final.

A four and a massive six, drops the chase down to 9 from 13 balls.

Pakistan now needs 19 runs from 15 balls.

Rizwan gets dismissed after scoring 57. Pakistan is 2 down.

Pakistan is 127-1 after 16 overs.

New Zealand doesn't seem to have any luck in their favor. The batsmen are ticking over easily and they just need to score a run an over.

Pakistan stands at 122-1 after 15.

Pakistan has been on the mark when it comes to finding gaps. They haven't played many dost which has kept their innings going.

This seems to incline towards Pakistan now with just 37 required from 34 balls. Pakistan still has 9 wickets in hand.

Rizwan brings u[p yet another half-century. He is back in form and acknowledged the fans.

The ball pitched outside and the batsman, Haris survives.

A review has been taken by the Kiwi skipper. Will this be another dismissal for Pakistan?

A four to get off the mark, Haris hits well and Pakistan moves to 109-1 after 13.

Boult does what he was called for. He has dismissed Babar for 53.

The run-chase has now come down close to a run a ball here. Boult needs to take a wicket for New Zealand.

Boult has come back into the attack to break this partnership. Will he succeed?

It's 102-0 after 12 overs. Pakistan requires 51 runs from 8 overs.

A 100-run stand for the first wicket comes up. A brilliant partnership between Rizwan and Azam has set the platform for the team to win this one convincingly.

Pakistan needs 56 runs from 54 alls to progress to their second T20 World Cup final.

After 11, PAK stands at 97-0, scoring close to 9 RPO.

Babar has scored a fine fifty here, just at the right time for Pakistan. Is this it for New Zealand or can they find an opening?

Pakistan is on a roll here. With 87-0 in the first 10, they are just one foot away from stepping onto the plane to the final.

After 9 overs, PAK stands at 75-0.

The duo of Rizwan and Azam have the most number of 100-run stands in T20Is and this seems to be another one. This is an alarming situation for the BlackCaps, they need to add pressure to stay in this match.

After the end of 8, Pakistan has scored 68-0 with Babar at 33 and Rizwan at 32.

Pakistan needs 89 runs from 76 balls.

An experienced Sodhi is brought into the attack now. Will he be able to strike for the Kiwis?

The ball misses the wickets by a great margin, and NZ loses their review. It's 62-0 after 7 overs.

A shout for an LBW but was turned down by the umpire. Williamson has gone upstairs. Azam looks in trouble.

A change in bowling doesn't seem to help New Zealand. Santner goes for a boundary.

The ball goes behind the keeper, and with this Pakistan gets past 50 runs. A great powerplay for the batting side, scoring well over 9 RPO. It's 55-0 after 6 overs.

A flick on the leg-side nicely picked up for another boundary! Azam finally looks in touch in this year's World Cup!

Pakistan is cruising here. New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson needs to bring in his boys and chip in a wicket quickly here.

Now it's turn for Southee's ball to go behind the boundary, two consecutive fours from Rizwan have left the fans dancing on their feet.

Pakistan is well and truly on track here, scoring at 8 RPO. It's 32-0 after 4.