Following a pulsating Super 12 phase, the Twenty20 World Cup semi-final lineup has been confirmed, with England, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Australia booking their spots in the knockouts.
Perhaps the most significant talking point of the competition so far was ante-post favourites India’s capitulation in Group 2. In Virat Kohli’s final tournament as T20 captain, the Men in Blue began with defeats to Pakistan and New Zealand, scoring a paltry total of 261 runs across those two encounters.
And although they recovered to see off Afghanistan and Scotland in their consequent assignments, New Zealand’s victory over the Afghans on Sunday confirmed that, for the first time since 2012, India would not be in the semi-finals of a cricket World Cup.
Impressive England May Have to Adapt Following Roy Injury
England could be the first team to book their place in the final according to the odds with Eoin Morgan’s men 5/9 to beat New Zealand, who are 5/4 to win, in the first semi-final at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Wednesday.
The reigning 50-over world champions progressed from Group 1 with four wins from five games, pipping Australia to top spot courtesy of their superior net run rate.
England’s only defeat in the Super 12 came in their final match against South Africa, who prevailed by ten runs, and key opener Jason Roy had to retire hurt in the game due to a calf injury.
Roy, who has scored 123 runs in the tournament so far, is set for a scan and could be replaced for James Vince.
New Zealand, however, will be more concerned over England’s other opener Jos Buttler, who has blasted 240 runs in the tournament and is 11/2 to be the man of the match in the semi-final.
Thank you, @JasonRoy20
Welcome, Vincey
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— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 8, 2021
The Black Caps will be out for revenge following their World Cup final defeat to England in 2019 and have built up a good run of form in the competition, winning four straight matches since a loss to Pakistan in their opener.
Flawless Pakistan Can Cause Problems for Australia
Australia have confirmed they will tour Pakistan for the first time in 24 years in 2022 but will firstly lock horns with the Men in Green in the second semi-final at the T20 World Cup.
And with Pakistan having been arguably the standout side in the Super 12 stage, bookmakers expect a close match. Pakistan are 4/5 to pull off a big win over the Aussies, who can be backed at 10/11 to prevail.
Babar Azam, who has racked up a tournament-best 264 runs, is one to keep an eye on for Pakistan, who won all five of their group games against India, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Namibia and Scotland.
As for Australia, their only defeat in the tournament so far came midway through their Super 12 campaign against England, and they have arguably exceeded expectations given fitness concerns surrounding Aaron Finch and the form of David Warner coming into the tournament.
*All odds correct at time of writing