A YEAR on, a similar outcome — only this can get even better. Pakistan are once again in the semi-finals of the Twenty20 World Cup but their run in the ongoing edition in Australia hasn’t been as convincing as the one in the UAE where they coasted through with a perfect record in the Super 12. A last-four loss to eventual champions Australia ended the barnstorming run that had captivated their fans. This time, though, it’s been edge-of-the-seat stuff. Fans have had to endure a nervous wait — scenarios and permutations changing after every game. Last-ball defeats to India and then Zimbabwe in their first two games had seen Pakistan lose control of their destiny. With their fate hanging in the balance, Babar Azam’s men needed a miracle: winning their last three games and hoping for other results going their way. Wins against the Netherlands and South Africa kept Pakistan in the chase till the final round of Group 2 matches on Sunday, where they got a huge helping hand from the Dutch. The unfancied Europeans pulled off a stunning upset over South Africa to put India through to the semis and render Pakistan’s game against Bangladesh a straight shootout for the other last-four spot from the group. Given renewed hope, Pakistan obliged.

In an echo of the country’s most famous cricketing triumph — at the 1992 ODI World Cup, also held in Australia — Babar’s men have turned a corner when hopes were dwindling. Like then, it is New Zealand who stand between Pakistan and the final, where England possibly await. Things seem to be falling into place for Pakistan; the players seem to be peaking at the perfect time. The young Mohammad Haris has given Pakistan a shot in the arm with his fearless batting. Pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi is back to his brilliant best. The elements have contrived to put Pakistan in the semi-finals. How far they go from here is now up to them.

Published in Dawn, November 8th, 2022