ICC T20 World Cup 2022: Mithali Raj Predicts India Vs Pakistan Final At MCG

Former India captain Mithali Raj has predicted that Pakistan will play India in the final of the T20 World Cup 2022 after the Men in Green defeated New Zealand by 7 wickets in the first semi-final which was played at Sydney cricket Ground (SCG) on November 9, 2022.

New Zealand had come into this match as favorites, with Pakistan only qualifying for the semis thanks to the Netherlands defeating South Africa first and Pakistan then beating Bangladesh.

But the semi-final was being played at the Sydney Cricket Ground on a surface that suited the Pakistani team. Kane Williamson won the toss and chose to bat first.

Daryl Mitchell made 53* and Kane Williamson himself made 46 as Pakistani bowlers kept the pressure on the batters with Shaheen Afridi taking 2/24. The target was in the range of Pakistani batters and the pitch was very suited to their style of batting.

Pakistani openers Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, who have been critiqued a lot for their slow batting in powerplays, attacked the Kiwi bowlers from the start adding 55 runs in the first 6 overs and overall added 105 runs with Babar Azam making 53 in 42 balls with 7 fours and Rizwan making 57 in 43 balls with 5 fours to his name.

Mohammad Haris slammed 30 in 26 balls to give hasten the win as Pakistan won by 7 wickets in the last over.

Now That Pakistan Has Qualified For The Final, India Will Be At Their Best: Mithali Raj On India V Pakistan T20 World Cup 2022 Final At MCG

Now India will face England in Adelaide in the second semi-final on November 10, Thursday, and former India women’s captain Mithali Raj said that now that Pakistan has qualified for the finals, India will be doubly motivated to win their semi-final.

“Sure, it (India-Pakistan final) will (happen). Now that Pakistan has qualified for the final, India will be at their best. They (India) have to be at their A-game tomorrow if they have to beat England. And it’s a ground that India has done well. So, if the wicket is very similar to what we got to see today, then it will definitely go in favour of India,” Mithali said on Star Sports.

She also believes that in-form Virat Kohli will be key to India’s success against England.

She added: “I think more than everybody, he (Kohli) will put that expectation on himself to score runs in the semifinals when India needs him the most. Of course, he’s done very well in the deep phase against Pakistan and has been consistent throughout the tournament. He would want to continue that form in semifinals. To reach final, it’s important that he scores runs. He needs to continue to follow his routine and not change too much, because his expectations are there. There will be pressure (but) I’m sure as a player he knows how to absorb that and stand and deliver.”

India has played one game in Adelaide in group stages and Virat Kohli had hit a fifty to help the Men in Blue win.

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