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ICC Men's T20 World Cup Dubai Pakistan 176-4 (20 runs): Rizwan 67 (52) Fakhar 55* (31) Starc 2-38 Australia 177-5 (19 runs): Warner 49 (30), Wade 41-4 (17), Stoinis 41* (31), Shadab 426 Australia won by five wickets Scorecard
Australia rallied from the brink to defeat Pakistan by five wickets during a gripping semi-final of the Men's T20 World Cup.
Matthew Wade needed 20 balls to win the last 10 balls. Hassan Ali dropped him before Matthew Wade hit the next three deliveries for six, completing a remarkable pursuit of 177 in Dubai.
Australia was struggling at 96-5, despite a belligerent 49 by David Warner, before Wade's grandstand finish.
Wade scored an unbeaten 41 from just 17 balls. Stoinis was 40 not out of 21. Their remarkable stand, which took them to 81 runs in 6.4 overs, brought Australia home with an extra over and silenced a large Pakistan-supporting crowd.
After Wednesday's thrilling win over England, it was the second thrilling final in just 24 hours.
New Zealand and Australia, both of whom have not won the T20 World Cup, will meet at the final in Dubai on Sunday, 14:00 GMT.
Australia's famous win is not sealed until too late
Pakistan was favourites, with Australia needing 62 runs in the last five overs and 37 in the final three.
Wade struck Hassan six times to give them hope. Then, Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan's top pace bowler, was beaten by Wade in an over that will be cherished by Australia fans.
18.4 overs Wade raises a full-length ball over the middle stump and fine leg to make six.
18.5 overs. Shaheen pulls back his length slightly, and Wade lifts him into the stand at deep middle-wicket.
18.6 Overs: Wade moves in early and makes a straight toss pass over the wicketkeeper's head.
Aaron Finch, Australia's captain, stated that he did not think the game was in his bag at any point.
"The courage that Matthew Wade displayed at the end was amazing. It was vital that Marcus Stoinis partnered with Matthew Wade. It was great cricket.
From World Cup finalists to 'written off'
Few people would have predicted that Australia, having lost five of their previous T20 series, and being bowled out by Bangladesh in August to reach the final, would be victorious.
Finch was run out for a duck by Finch in the first over. Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith were both run out to Shadab Khan. Unfortunately, luck was against them when Warner was caught behind, despite replays indicating that he didn't edge the ball.
Stoinis overcame spin's difficulties to beat Shadab, who was left with 4-26. Wade and Stoinis were happy to play singles, until their arms became free.
A below-par Pakistan helped them. Hassan had a terrible day with the ball, finishing with 0-44 in four overs. But it was Wade's drop that allowed the game to swing.
Finch stated that it was a remarkable victory for Australia, who, he said, had been written off prior to the tournament.
After a trip to the hospital, Rizwan shines
Pakistan's 176-4 was constructed around Mohammad Rizwan’s 52-ball score 67 and late flurry by Fakhar Zaman (who made 55 of 32 deliveries).
Rizwan played a brilliant innings against Australia. This was made even more impressive by the fact that he had spent the night in hospital, being treated for a "lung condition", according Matthew Hayden, Pakistan's batting coach.
Rizwan started scratchily, and Warner and Adam Zampa dropped him on nought on 20.
His innings seemed to be ignited by a blow to his helmet's grille. Rizwan was able to swing his first six after receiving treatment from the physio. He left with visible marks on his face and moved on to the third half-century.
He took advantage of the fact that Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood lost their lines, the highlight being a whip to the former.
Fakhar gave the last push with two sixes from the final three balls after Rizwan miscued Mitchell Starc in the mid-off.
Their contributions seemed to have propelled Pakistan towards a winning total until Wade intervened.
