ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 - Semi-Finals

So here we have it. Both of the Men's T20 World Cup semi-finals have taken place and we now know that Pakistan will face England On Sunday 13th November, for cricket glory at the 100,000 capacity Melbourne Cricket Ground. Let's find out how both sides made it to the grand final and who has the better chance of leaving Australia with the trophy.

In the first semi-final, Pakistan reached their third T20 World Cup final thanks to a brilliantly executed performance against New Zealand. A century-opening stand from Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan saw The Shaheens book their place at the MCG for Sunday. The Pakistan openers’ 105-run stand was their third-century partnership at a Men’s T20 World Cup, a new record and more than any other pairing in the history of the tournament. That century stand was also their ninth in all T20's, comfortably an all-time best.

New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat first, but their 152 scored, consequently wasn't enough meaning that they have exited the tournament. So close, yet so far for the Kiwis. The game was won by seven wickets. With the world’s best-ever opening pair back in form, Pakistan will have plenty of confidence going into Sunday's final.

Over in the second semi-final, England put on a record-breaking ten-wicket win thanks to the on-fire Jos Buttler and Alex Hales. They scored 170-0 in just 16 overs to absolutely wipe the floor with Virat Kohli's India. Their partnership helped England in chasing down 169 with all 10 wickets and 24 balls to spare. Hales remained unbeaten on 86 from just 47 deliveries while Buttler scored 80 not out from 49 deliveries.

This is the highest partnership in T20 World Cup history and saw them win the semi-final in Adelaide. The partnership passed the previous highest opening stand at a Men’s T20 World Cup, 152 between Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, also made against India, in 2021. Their combined 170 is also officially the highest partnership for any wicket at any ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The Three Lions have now made it to their second Men's T20 World Cup final in the last three editions.

India looked lethargic with the ball as England hammered runs in the Powerplay overs to bite significantly into the target and ease the pressure on the rest of the run chase. The Vitality Blast serious back home has seriously helped out this England side in the T20 tournament.

We are all set for a fiery contest at the MCG between these two great sides but I think England will just edge the contest after coming off a dominant performance, as well as the fact they only have one defeat to their name in this tournament compared to Pakistan's three. It really is, however, all to play for and both these sides will be hoping to get their hands on the trophy for their country's first time since 2009 and 2010 respectively.