In the 2021 T20 World Cup semi-final, New Zealand had a chance to redeem themselves. They finally got over England without a tie, a super-over, or a contentious rule.
Unlike in 2019, New Zealand kept things simple in Abu Dhabi, scoring one more run than their opponents. Of a game marked by huge swings in fortunes, New Zealand showed their dominance in the death overs to defeat the world’s top-ranked T20I team and advance to their first T20 World Cup final.
On that subject, here are some fascinating statistics from Abu Dhabi’s first semi-final.
#1 Captain Kane Williamson’s incredible feat
New Zealand has appeared in six ICC event finals, three of which Kane Williamson has led. Following their defeat in the 2019 ODI World Cup final, he led them to victory in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against India earlier this year. They are presently in their first T20 World Cup final under his leadership.
#2 New Zealand’s dream chase
The only time New Zealand has chased a total of more than 140 runs in a T20 World Cup was against the Netherlands in 2014. New Zealand needed 57 runs off their final four overs to chase down England’s 167-run target.
#3 A rarity for six-hitting England
Eoin Morgan stated at the post-match presentation that England is a six-hitting team. However, the fact that they only managed four in their innings demonstrated that the surface was two-paced.
The first six wickets for England came in the 16th over. England failed to strike a six in a men’s T20I innings for the first time in seven and a half years.
#4 New Zealand and England’s first
New Zealand won a T20 World Cup semi-final for the first time in their cricketing history, while England lost one. Both have appeared in the T20 World Cup semi-finals three times.
England in T20 World Cup semi-finals
- Beat Sri Lanka in 2010
- Beat New Zealand in 2016
- Lost to New Zealand in 2021
New Zealand in T20 World Cup semi-finals
- Lost to Pakistan in 2007
- Lost to England in 2016
- Beat England in 2021
# 5 New Zealand and England’s supremacy in powerplays
In the first six overs of the tournament, New Zealand’s bowling has been outstanding. They’ve been averaging 26.5 at 5.89 per over. Only England has done better than them in terms of economy rate in the powerplays this World Cup, averaging 12.2 and going at 5.42 per over.
#6 Dawid Malan’s incredible New Zealand streak
Dawid Malan, ranked No. 2 in T20Is, resumed his love affair with New Zealand bowling after scoring a 30-ball 41 against them.
Read more: Shoaib Akhtar says “They have a psychological pressure of facing us” in T20 World Cup 2021
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