Over-by-over report: Will Pakistan or England be crowd world T20 champions? Join Rob Smyth to find out
That’s the image we have of Pakistan – although, at the risk of being the pedant at the orgy, it’s a bit more nuanced than that. In their own merculiar way, they have been the most consistent T20 team of all since the first World Cup in 2007. Nobody has reached as many semi-finals; nobody has played in more finals.
The relationship between England and Pakistan has changed – there’s lot more respect, and nobody’s mother-in-law will be getting a mention tonight. The teams are also far closer in style and mood than they used to be. But they will never have everything in common. Take the opening partnerships. Both are world-class, both have beaten India by 10 wickets at a World T20 in the past 13 months, yet they have different cat-skinning methodologies. It’s England’s cold-hearted bruisers, Jos Buttler and Alex Hales , versus Pakistan’s careful caressers, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan . Babar and Rizwan’s century stand in the semi-final hammering of New Zealand was their eighth for the first wicket in T20Is.
The whole thing is impossibly exciting. Or it would be if we hadn’t spent the last 72 hours looking at weather apps. A World Cup that has been defined by bad weather may yet be decided by it. When I went to bed last night I thought there was no chance to play today, and that I’d be home in time for Dawson’s Creek, but things are looking more promising now.
We need at least 10 overs a side for the game to be completed. If they can’t manage that by tomorrow evening then England and Pakistan will be joint world champions, and supposedly responsible adults will start using that icky phrase about kissing your sister.Updated at 07.19 GMT
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
T20 World Cup final 2022 LIVE updates: England win toss and bowl first against PakistanEngland and Pakistan again face off in an MCG final, 30 years after their historic clash. Who will lift the trophy this time? Follow our live coverage | SMHsport
Read more »
T20 World Cup final 2022 LIVE updates: England win toss and bowl first against PakistanLive | England and Pakistan again face off in an MCG final, 30 years after their historic clash. Who will lift the trophy this time? Follow our coverage. RonnyLerner
Read more »
New Zealand win Women’s Rugby World Cup as England suffer final heartbreakNew Zealand are world champions after a thrilling 34-31 win against an England side that had Lydia Thompson sent off after only 17 minutes
Read more »
England coach reduced to tears: Crichton’s golden point field goal sends Samoa to World Cup finalIt’s the first time a team from outside of Australia, New Zealand, England and Great Britain has qualified for the Rugby League World Cup final since France in 1968 | MichaelChammas
Read more »