ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Dubai
Australia came back from the brink to beat Men’s T20 World Cup favourites Pakistan by five wickets in an absorbing semi-final in Dubai, and will now face New Zealand in Sunday’s final. Chasing 177, Australia were reduced to 2-1 after an electric first over from Shaheen Afridi, before David Warner hit back with a belligerent 49 from 30 balls. Leg-spinner Shadab Khan checked their progress with 4-26, but Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade mixed six-hitting with quick running to take the total to 22 runs from the final 12 balls.
Wade was dropped in the penultimate over by Hassan Ali and then hit the next three balls for six to see Australia claim a stunning victory. Pakistan had earlier posted an imposing 176-4 from their 20 overs but Wade’s brilliance — and some poor bowling in the final overs — ended their hopes of a second T20 World Cup title. Australia captain Aaron Finch said: “Not at any stage did I think the game was in the bag — it was a great game of cricket. The way that Matthew Wade held his nerve there at the end was unbelievable. The partnership with Marcus Stoinis was crucial.”
West Indies Women Win ODI Series Against Pakistan
By Amy Lofthouse, BBC Sport — West Indies Women defeated Pakistan Women by 37 runs to clinch the Cool & Cool One Day International Series with one game remaining. Batting first, West Indies Women posted 153 all out in 45.4 overs but held their nerves on the field and with the ball to dismiss Pakistan Women for 113 in 39.2 overs. Hayley Matthews starred for the West Indies Women, taking a career best of 4/26 from 9 overs, which included 2 maidens. Matthews told CWI media: “Coming here, our expectations were pretty high — we wanted to not only win the series but to have a clean sweep.” The teams meet again for the third ODI at the National Stadium Karachi on Sunday November 14.