The first semifinal of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 happened last night at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium. The New Zealand cricket team battled against the England cricket team in the knockout game. As has been the trend in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021, the team batting second won the match again in the United Arab Emirates. New Zealand had a similar approach like MS Dhoni.
Eoin Morgan’s team England scored 166/4 in the first innings, riding on a half-century from Moeen Ali. Jason Roy’s absence at the top hurt England because Jonny Bairstow struggled to get going. The right-handed wicket-keeper batter could score only 13 runs off 17 deliveries before Adam Milne picked up his wicket.
Moeen Ali’s fifty and a 30-ball 41 from Dawid Malan helped the England cricket team cross the 160-run mark. Tim Southee, Jimmy Neesham, Adam Milne and Ish Sodhi picked up one wicket each for the New Zealand cricket team.
How Daryl Mitchell and New Zealand team took the game to the last over like MS Dhoni before delivering the knockout punch
MS Dhoni always took the run-chase to the final over and then delivered the knockout punch to the opponents. New Zealand showed a similar approach yesterday. They scored 57 runs in over 17, 18 and 19 to stun the English bowling unit. Jimmy Neesham played aggressive cricket, while the well-set Daryl Mitchell switched gears at the right time to guide England home.
Here’s what commentator Simon Doull said while sitting in the commentary box before the New Zealand cricket team’s batter Daryl Mitchell hit the winning shot. “The deeper you take the game. The great MS Dhoni always said the deeper you take the game with the bat and as a batter, the more the bowler feels under pressure, and that’s the key. It is exactly what New Zealand have managed to do.”
