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

Matthew Wade had a night to remember as his 41* off 17 balls helped Australia defeat Pakistan in the T20 World Cup semi-final and storm them into the final.

Matthew Wade forged a partnership of 81* runs off 41 balls with Marcus Stoinis in the chase of 177, which culminated with three hits over the fence – but it was after the left-hander was given a life.

With 21 needed off 10 balls, Matthew Wade’s mishit to Shaheen Afridi went as far as deep mid-wicket where Hasan Ali was positioned, but the fielder dropped the catch as the batting pair ran back for a couple.

Matthew Wade then launched Afridi for three sixes – a scoop over fine leg, a slog over deep mid-wicket and another scoop over the wicket-keeper – to send the Australian players and their supporters in a frenzy, knocking Pakistan, who had won all their Super 12 matches, out of the tournament.

Australia struggle in chase before Stoinis-Wade partnership

Chasing 177, Australia were given a big blow in the first over when Shaheen Afridi trapped Aaron Finch lbw. After playing out three tight opening overs, David Warner unleashed against Imad Wasim, whacking the spinner for a six and two fours in a 17-run over.

Mitchell Marsh thumped a maximum and three fours to take Australia to 52/1 at the end of the powerplay. But Marsh soon perished, trying to attack Shadab Khan, who also got the better of Steve Smith. Between those two wickets, though, Warner slogged two more sixes, keeping the required rate under 9 with half of the innings to go. Warner, however, lost his wicket to Shadab, just one short of his fifty.

Shadab capped off his superb spell with the big wicket of Glenn Maxwell, caught at deep point off a mishit reverse-sweep. Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade kept Australia alive with plenty of powerful hits bringing down to 22 runs needed off the last two overs.

After getting a life from a dropped catch by Hasan Ali, Wade scooped Afridi for a six over fine leg before depositing the pacer over mid-wicket and completed the chase with another scoop six to send Australia in the final. The partnership between Stoinis and Wade yielded 81 runs off 41 balls.

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Watch – Matthew Wade Hits Three Consecutive Sixes Off Shaheen Afridi After Being Dropped By Hasan Ali: