Shaheen Afridi Confident about Winning T20 World Cup Final

Pakistan will face India or England in the final

SYDNEY: Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi is confident about lifting the T20 World Cup trophy after qualifying for the final of the mega event.

Pakistan won the first semi-final against New Zealand by seven wickets on Wednesday.

“It’s a good opportunity for us to lift the trophy which is why we are confident about winning the final,” Afridi told media in Sydney.

“Both India and England have played good cricket so far. We are ready for both teams ahead of the final,” he added.

It must be noted that Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam slammed half centuries as Pakistan powered past New Zealand.

They will meet either England or India — who play on Thursday in Adelaide — in the November 13 decider at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Pakistan set the tone at the Sydney Cricket Ground with some razor-sharp fielding and disciplined bowling that restricted New Zealand to just 152-4.

In front of 36,443 strongly pro-Pakistan spectators, Rizwan (57) and Azam (53) took apart the Black Caps´ renowned bowling attack in a 105-run opening stand, and despite a nervous finish after both fell, they completed a deserved victory with five balls to spare.

“Once we [Pakistan] reached the semi-final, we knew that it is a good chance for us to go all the way,” he said. “The credit for the victory [against New Zealand] goes to the entire team.”

The lanky pacer also brushed aside the criticism that the Pakistan team faced after losing their first two matches of the T20 World Cup.

“I don’t pay too much attention to critics. They get paid to sit on television channels and talk about Pakistan team,” he concluded.

After going wicket-less in the first two matches, against India and Zimbabwe, Afridi bounced back to claim 10 wickets in the next four appearances.

The left-armer is currently the joint highest wicket-taker, 10, for Pakistan in the tournament with Shadab Khan.