New Zealand vs Australia Prediction- Who Will Win the Match Between NZ And AUS, ICC T20 World Cup 2021 Final

November 14, 2021

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The final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 sees New Zealand take on Australia at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. The two teams have met each other only once in T20 World Cup during the 2016 edition of the tournament.

NZ vs AUS: Australia’s Predicted Playing XI Against New Zealand

New Zealand won that game by 8 runs. Australia wouldn’t be worrying too much on that result. Aaron Finch and Co. have exhibited sensational performances in the tournament. They have never won a T20 World Cup title and would be keen to win their first-ever title on Sunday.

Australia are coming into the game on the back of a five-wicket win over Pakistan in the second semi-final. Their bowlers didn’t bowl too well and conceded 176 runs in the first innings. Adam Zampa (1 for 22) and Pat Cummins (1 for 30) bowled well but the rest of the bowlers had a forgettable outing.

Despite conceding a big total, Australia chased down the score in 19 overs. Australia lost wickets at regular intervals in the second innings but David Warner (49 off 30) kept Aussies in the chase. His wicket, however, put them on the backfoot. After 12.2 overs, Australia had lost half of their side.

Matthew Wade and Marcus Stoinis. Credits: Twitter

However, Marcus Stoinis and Mathew Wade held their nerves and put on a sensational 81-run partnership to guide Australia home. The duo kept hitting boundaries, making sure the required run-rate doesn’t go beyond reach.

Needing 22 runs in the last two overs, Mathew Wade hit three sixes in the penultimate over to finish the game with an over left to play. Wade played an unbeaten 40-run knock off 17 balls, while Stoinis scored 41 off 31 balls.

On the other hand, New Zealand are also coming into the game on the back of a sensational five-wicket win over England in the semi-final. Given the kind of form, England batsmen were in, New Zealand did well to restrict them to 166 runs in the first innings.

The Blackcaps, though, didn’t make a great start to the chase, losing the first two wickets for just 13 runs inside the first three overs. However, Daryl Mitchell hung in there and stitched crucial partnerships with Devon Conway (46 off 38) and James Neesham (27 off 11). Mitchell anchored the chase and stayed right till the end. He played an unbeaten 72-run knock off 47 deliveries to help his team chase down the score in 19 overs.

Devon Conway has been ruled out of the final match due to injury and this is a big disappointment for New Zealand. Tim Seifert is likely to replace him in the playing XI.