ICC T20 World Cup 2021: Could Have Been My Last Opportunity To Represent Australia: Matthew Wade

Australia wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade said his fabulous knock against Pakistan in the semi-final clash on Thursday could have been his last innings.

Wade played a mind-boggling knock of 41* from 17 balls and was involved in an unbeaten stand of 81 runs with Marcus Stoinis to take his side to their second T20 World Cup final.

Matthew Wade-Marcus Stoinis takes Australia to T20 WC final

Australia were reduced to 96/5 at one stage with some excellent bowling by Pakistan leg-spinner Shadab Khan (4/26).

Wade joined Stoinis at the crease in the 13th over, and they went smoothly in their chase of 177.

At the end of the 17th over, Wade had just scored eight runs off nine balls, and it was Stoinis, the one who was taking a risk by going after the bowlers.

But suddenly, Wade shifted his gears and smoked one big shot to Hasan Ali over long-on for a six, followed by a flicking a boundary on the final ball of the 18th over.

Wade hammered three consecutive sixes to Pakistan’s best bowler Shaheen Afridi to wrap the match in the penultimate over itself.

I was a little bit nervous coming into the game: Matthew Wade

Wade admitted that he was nervous coming into the game and thought that it could have been his last opportunity to play for Australia.

“A little bit, I think… I was a little bit nervous coming into the game and knowing potentially it could be the last opportunity to represent Australia,” Wade said in his post-match press conference.

“But I was thankful I got a few away at the end. And it’s crucial for someone like me in the innings to open up the grounds for me,” he added.

Earlier in the match Pakistan opener Mohammad Rizwan (67) and Fakhar Zaman (55*) propelled them to a competitive score of 176/4 in the first innings.

Australia’s bowling spearhead Mitchell Starc (2/38) controlled some runs in the death despite being hit by Zaman for a few sixes and was supported by Pat Cummins (1/30) and Adam Zampa (1/22).

Also Read: T20 World Cup 2021: Watch – Matthew Wade Hits Three Consecutive Sixes Off Shaheen Afridi After Being Dropped By Hasan Ali