T20 World Cup 2022: India to meet England in semi-final, Pakistan face New Zealand

Gulf News

It has been a thrilling day of World Cup cricket which all started with South Africa’s shock defeat by the Netherlands that saw the Proteas eliminated from the tournament. Then, Pakistan sealed a semi-final spot against New Zealand with a five-wicket win over Bangladesh in the second game before India laid out their credentials with a big win over Zimbabwe to set up a last-four meeting with England. Gulf News cricket experts Shyam, Satish and Ashfaq discuss the day’s action.  See more videos at https://gulfnews.com/videos Read more Gulf News stories here: https://bit.ly/2HLJ2km  Subscribe to Gulf News on YouTube and watch more of our videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/GulfNewsTV  #UAEnews #cricket #t20worldcup

Transcript

00:00Hello and welcome to Golf News Straight Back.

00:09Today all eyes were on Group 2 in the T20 World Cup where there was a big shock as South

00:14Africa were beaten by Netherlands, meaning the pro tees are out of the tournament.

00:19That surprise result meant that India qualified for the semi-final before they even played

00:23their last group match against Zimbabwe, which they ended up winning by 71 runs.

00:28South Africa's failure also meant that there was a chance for Pakistan or Bangladesh to

00:33reach the semi-finals.

00:35After Bangladesh won the toss, they batted first and posted 127, but Pakistan chased

00:42that down to win by 5 wickets and book their place in the last 4 where they will face New

00:47Zealand and India will take on England in the two semi-finals.

00:52Now Sham, the tournament has been full of surprises, but the Netherlands beating South

00:56Africa has to be the biggest one of all.

00:59I mean, South Africa, they crumbled under pressure again, like they've done so many

01:03times on the big stage, but did you see that result coming?

01:05Not at all.

01:06That is the only result I saw that was totally out of the blue.

01:10Actually, I was doing the analysis for the semi-final, actually, three days in a row

01:15I wrote about the possibilities and I had completely discounted Netherlands.

01:19Netherlands beating South Africa, I had put in a line and my comment was an unlikely event.

01:26I know cricket is full of uncertainties and unpredictable results, but this one, I didn't

01:31see it at all.

01:32This is totally out of the blue.

01:34Satish, South Africa were one of the tournament favourites, what can explain this shock defeat

01:41today?

01:42Unfortunately, they are not able to shed that choco stack which started in 1992 in Sydney.

01:50Since then, they have succumbed on the big stage.

01:53Yes, this World Cup, they were unlucky because they were almost just about 13 runs away from

01:58winning against Zimbabwe.

02:00If they had won it, maybe they would have been through by now, because otherwise, they

02:03have to share the points and other match was also washed out.

02:07But having said that, it was in their hands today.

02:10They could have easily gone past a small team like Netherlands, which is an associate nation.

02:15And actually, the way Netherlands played, they played a pretty positive cricket.

02:22I woke up around 4-4-15 and I started watching the match and by then, they were almost like

02:28first 5-6 overs, they were in a good start.

02:31And then they continued with that, the openers were there, then they continued, they continued

02:35and got themselves a reasonable total.

02:37I think the last three overs, they scored about 30-odd runs and then they gave themselves

02:41a reasonable total.

02:43But it was in no way a winning target.

02:46Yes, the wicket was down.

02:48But I think South Africa, they played too many shots.

02:55They were not able to take the pressure, basically.

02:56So they wanted to ease the pressure with the big shots and they kept coming one after the other.

03:03It was a big surprise, I think.

03:04Ashfaq, you'll also be very pleased though, because that means Pakistan went on to beat Bangladesh.

03:12And from the way Pakistan started their tournament, you know, they've lost two matches, they've

03:16won two.

03:17So today was a massive game for both teams, in fact, because Bangladesh also could have

03:21made it to the semi-final had they won.

03:24But Ash, what did you make of the Pakistan team performance today?

03:28I woke up this morning with Shyam's message and I was surprised that Netherlands won.

03:34I just jumped out of the bed and straight away to the TV, I said, what happened here?

03:38So it was a big surprise, like Pakistan came back from the dead, from the ashes like Phoenix

03:46today.

03:47I mean, it was nowhere expected.

03:48I mean, this will happen.

03:50This has given hope.

03:51Otherwise, we would have been talking about the Pakistan team's obituary today instead

03:55of rebirth.

03:59And it gave Pakistan another chance and Bangladesh as well.

04:03But Pakistan, I think, was too good for Bangladesh today because they have already started peaking

04:10from the last couple of matches with Haris Rao's inclusion and Shaheen Afridi getting

04:15back his rhythm.

04:16I think the team is all set for the next two big matches.

04:21And there will be more surprises.

04:23We would love to see India-Pakistan finish.

04:26I think every neutral would love to see that.

04:28But Ash, going back to today's game, the wicket of dust was a crucial moment in the game.

04:32In the last game, he played really well.

04:35He went for just, I think, 10 runs today.

04:37The damage was done, as you just mentioned, mostly by Shaheen Afridi.

04:41He took four for 22.

04:43How impressed were you with him today?

04:45He was absolutely spot-on.

04:49I think we forgot to mention Naseem Shah.

04:51He's not taking wickets, but he's very miserly.

04:54He's not giving runs.

04:56Just 15 runs and three overs.

04:58And the actual damage was actually done by Shadab, who came and removed both the openers.

05:04So that was a big damage which he did.

05:06But then Afridi continued.

05:09And smart bowling moves by Babur.

05:12He introduced Iftikhar today because the fast bowlers were getting hit.

05:16So he introduced Shadab and Iftikhar instead of Nawaz because they were more left-handers.

05:23Iftikhar is almost a spinner, so that worked.

05:26Iftikhar also was miserly.

05:28He just gave away 15 runs in three overs.

05:31That trick worked as well.

05:33So I think all together it was a good performance.

05:34They contained them on 27 because they were 70-plus in 10 overs.

05:41And in the next two overs, they could score only 50-plus runs,

05:45which was a pretty much good total for Pakistan to chase.

05:50Shaham, there was a controversial moment in that match

05:54when Shaqib Al-Hassan was given out LBW for zero.

05:59He wasn't happy with that decision and he refused to walk off.

06:02The review seemed to suggest that he hit it,

06:05but the third umpire decided that the bat was hitting the ground.

06:08Now, what do you think?

06:09Do you think it was out or not out?

06:11And how big a moment was that in that game today?

06:14It was a big moment because Shaqib Al-Hassan is a captain

06:17and he's a very good player too.

06:20In fact, Pakistan, I mean, Bangladesh's best player in history.

06:24So that was a huge moment.

06:25But the third umpire's decision, I don't know how to make of it.

06:31But technology has not been perfect because the technology is being handled by the person behind it.

06:36So the person who is handling the technology can make mistakes,

06:39which I think must have happened today.

06:44Just to add to that, I think it was a very close call

06:49and the third umpire made a very quick decision.

06:52I think at least he must have seen it two, three times

06:55because you have to be extremely sure that it was a bat which hit the ground

07:00because there were two spikes.

07:02One was a small spike and the other one was a bigger spike.

07:04So you need to make sure that obviously the two spikes can both be ground,

07:09bat hitting the ground.

07:10But from the naked eye, what I could see,

07:12there was a bit of a space between the bat and the ground at the point of time

07:17when there was a spike.

07:18So instead of going back and forth a few times,

07:21the third umpire made a very quick decision.

07:23That is what I would say was a mistake from the third umpire's point of view

07:27than the entire decision.

07:29Because when the technology is available, when the time is available,

07:31use it to the best of your abilities.

07:34And Ashfaq is smiling there.

07:36Clearly we know what Ashfaq believes.

07:38Ash, it was that, wasn't it?

07:41Say, Imran, I can't say.

07:43As Shyam said, it was quite tricky.

07:46But I don't think so.

07:47Even if they could have added 20, 30, 20, 50 runs more,

07:50I mean 20, 30 runs more, it wouldn't have made a difference

07:53for Pakistan to finish the match like in the 17th over.

07:57So I think the decision happened.

08:01This thing happened like in the last match, like Nawaz got LBW,

08:05then he ran and then he got run out.

08:07And he just walked off without checking with the umpires.

08:11So that was a crucial moment as well,

08:13but it didn't make a big difference at the end.

08:15So these things happen. It's cricket.

08:18And cricket...

08:19So I think that overall, if you see the match,

08:21Pakistan dominated Bangladesh in all fields.

08:25Bangladesh was sloppy in fielding today.

08:27They dropped Rizwan.

08:28And I would say they dropped the match there.

08:32They could have put the pressure on Pakistan from the very beginning.

08:35So Rizwan, Babur, batting until the 10th over

08:38means you build a very strong foundation for the players to come.

08:42You save 10 wickets. And that's what happened.

08:45In turnovers, they were like something close to 50.

08:47And the next seven hours, they finished the match.

08:50I mean, that's what they did today.

08:52So Rizwan's catch was very crucial.

08:54And then the run outs, overthrows, no balls,

08:57drop catch, like all over there.

08:59I think they were under immense pressure.

09:01They couldn't hold themselves in the field today.

09:04That's what I said.

09:05No, but credit to them, Ashwak.

09:07Yeah, credit to them, Ashwak.

09:09Bangladesh is a new side.

09:10They are all youngsters.

09:12I think only a couple of them had some experience from what I have seen.

09:15Yeah, but that doesn't matter.

09:17It's a World Cup.

09:19It's a small new side, an old side.

09:21Playing against Pakistan is no mean feat.

09:23Look at Netherlands, who they are.

09:26That's true.

09:27Anybody can perform on a day.

09:29Yeah, true.

09:31Again, I saw you mean to say Pakistan and South Africa are the same.

09:36I thought Pakistan is different.

09:38They are a far better team than South Africa.

09:40That's my opinion.

09:41Oh, of course.

09:41Pakistan was beaten by Zimbabwe as well.

09:44Look at that also.

09:45That's true.

09:46Yeah.

09:46No, no, catchers win matches.

09:48There are two ways about it.

09:50In T20, as you know, catchers win matches, rightly said.

09:52So, and they drop many.

09:55Satish, I mean, we're talking about Rizwan.

09:57He was dropped on zero.

09:58He went on to make 32.

10:00Bangladesh certainly didn't help themselves today with the bat or with the ball today, did they?

10:06I think that particular phase where they lost two wickets of Soumya Sarkar and Shakib Al-Assan.

10:13They put them in a bit of a spot because it's a wicket where newcomers can't come and

10:19improve their tempo immediately.

10:21So, you need a set batsman.

10:23At that point of time, if one of them had stayed, maybe another five overs,

10:26if they had waited till 15th to attack, maybe Bangladesh should have got another 20-30 runs.

10:31And if they had taken the Rizwan catch, the team should have been a lot more closer.

10:37But again, all in all, Pakistan were a superior team.

10:41And I don't know whether Shakib said it in jest or whether he actually meant,

10:46he said he didn't come to win the World Cup.

10:48He came here for experience.

10:49Because it is a team that is in the rebuilding process.

10:53So, in that sense, I think coming so close itself was a credit to them.

10:58Because they came and played a couple of matches here in the UAE.

11:01In the first match, they almost lost to UAE.

11:03So, it's a team that is in the building process.

11:07But I think some of the guys are really good, talented guys.

11:13Maybe they could have made it count against Pakistan.

11:15And a semi-final appearance would have given them more confidence.

11:18But the positive is this guy, a left-handed opener, Najmul Shantu,

11:24who has got a second half century.

11:27So, these are some little guys playing with a lot of positivity.

11:32So, these are all some of the positives.

11:33Taksheen coming and bowling very well.

11:36So, some good positive vibes for Bangladesh over the years to come.

11:41But yes, I think today they could have done much better in the fielding aspect especially.

11:47Maybe you can't do much about your bowling and batting.

11:51Because a lot of factors come into play.

11:54But your fielding is in your hands.

11:55So, if they had fielded well, more aggressive and efficiently,

12:01I think maybe it could have come in even more closer.

12:04Because right now, it's only about one and a half overs spare or something like that.

12:08There was a difference.

12:09So, it could have come in even more closer.

12:11So, some positives there for Bangladesh, says Satish.

12:15Ashfaq, any positives there for your skipper, Babar Azam?

12:19Yes, he was not in good touch, but he managed 25 runs.

12:25But that should give him some confidence.

12:27It's a good thing.

12:29But the inclusion of Haris, that does make a difference.

12:34Today, he is a game-changer in the 16th over.

12:36I mean, he just came and he's hitting freely.

12:39He's in great touch.

12:41And I think that's the positive for Pakistan.

12:43Shaheen Afridi is getting back into form.

12:45It's positive for Pakistan.

12:47And another positive, Pakistan facing New Zealand.

12:51Semi-final is also positive for Pakistan, if history repeats itself.

12:56Because it's the same situation which happened in 1992 World Cup.

13:01When Pakistan came out nowhere through prayers and things.

13:05And then face the unbeaten New Zealand in semi-finals and beat them.

13:10Right?

13:10And this is the same.

13:11New Zealand is unbeaten again.

13:13It's the same scenario.

13:13He came to semi-final with prayers and a lot of magics and things.

13:19So that's the positive.

13:20I think, I hope they will go through semi-finals.

13:24Because they are in good touch.

13:27Now they are back on track.

13:30But I think New Zealand lost only one match, I think.

13:33England?

13:37New Zealand lost one game.

13:40Pakistan isn't it?

13:43Pakistan?

13:47No, no, no.

13:47Sorry, New Zealand lost to…

13:50England.

13:51England.

13:52Sorry, England.

13:53They lost to England.

13:53Yeah, yeah.

13:54Okay.

13:56Okay, Shams.

13:56Speaking of England.

13:57India are going to be facing England on…

14:00Is it Thursday?

14:01I believe they are playing on Thursday.

14:02Yeah, yeah.

14:02They are playing on Thursday.

14:03In Adelaide.

14:05Yeah.

14:05Shams, how do you feel India will get on against Josh Butler and Co?

14:12It's going to be very difficult.

14:13I think India needs a huge slice of luck.

14:15Because man for man, England is a much better side.

14:19And I keep saying they are the most powerful side in the World Cup.

14:23So India can't afford to drop their guard at any point of time.

14:27And like today's match, you saw how the spinners were taken for a run.

14:31So, that is actually a shortcoming for India.

14:36But otherwise, the bowling group, the rest of it is coming together.

14:40And also, one thing is they seem to lose far too many wickets in the power play.

14:43That is another concern.

14:45So, which is why I would put it as 60 England, 40 India.

14:51But depending if David Mallon recovers from his groin injury.

14:55He hobbled off in the last game.

14:56That will be possibly a deciding factor.

14:58Satish, but India will be feeling quite confident in the semi-finals, won't they?

15:03Yes, batting-wise, I think India is quite okay.

15:07But bowling front, I think both Ashwin and Akshar have not delivered.

15:12Because the reason is, after so many matches,

15:14they have not understood how to bowl on these Australian wickets.

15:18They are bowling faster the way they used to bowl in the Indian subcontinental wickets.

15:22Where the ball will grip and turn when you bowl faster.

15:25But here, when you bowl faster, the ball comes onto the bat nicely.

15:29So, if you look at everybody, today, after the break,

15:32Shadab started giving the ball more air.

15:35I think that's what Sakle and Mushtaq told him to do.

15:37So, similarly, the Indian spinners have not learnt it so long.

15:42They are not giving the ball the air and it doesn't go to the bat slowly.

15:47They are pushing it harder.

15:48I think the last two overs, Ashwin tried to do something like that.

15:51But I think it's high time we bring in Chahal.

15:56I think that's what Rohit Sharma said that almost everybody played.

15:59But I don't know if Chahal had played even a single game in this World Cup.

16:04I don't think so.

16:05Maybe we could have played Chahal in today's game.

16:09And given him a chance and get ready for the semi-final.

16:12But my feeling is, bring in Chahal and Huda, who can bowl a bit of off-spin.

16:23And then replace Aksar and Ashwin in that next game.

16:29I think maybe Ashwin might get that edge because there are some left-handers in the England team.

16:37Maybe to keep that quotient into play, they might play Ashwin.

16:40But I still feel Chahal should come into the team.

16:45Okay, and the last semi-final...

16:47Well, the first semi-final.

16:48We're going to discuss it last.

16:50Ash, Pakistan will take on New Zealand.

16:51How do you think that will go?

16:54I think it's going to be a big match.

16:56Because I would say Pakistan should bat first.

17:04Because their bowling is better than their batting.

17:06So that's how it should be decided.

17:10If they bat first, if they manage 170-180, then it's going to be a match.

17:18And we hope they go through.

17:20It's going to be tough to know.

17:23Okay, two huge semi-finals to look forward to on Wednesday and Thursday.

17:26We'll be back to see how the teams get on.

17:28In the meantime, head to gulfnews.com for all the latest news.

17:31And follow us on all our social media channels.

17:33Thanks to the guys, and we'll see you again next time.

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