In a blockbuster T20 World Cup opener for India, the team was on Friday drawn to clash with arch-rivals Pakistan on October 23 at the iconic MCG as the International Cricket Council (ICC) released the fixtures.
A clinical unbeaten knock from Mitchell Marsh (77 not out off 50 balls) along with a crucial half-century by David Warner (53 off 38 balls) and a superlative spell by Josh Hazlewood (3/16) powered Australia to win their first Men's T20 World Cup trophy, defeating New Zealand by eight wickets in the final at the Dubai International Stadium here on Sunday. Facing a target of 173, the biggest chase in a Men's T20 World Cup final, Australia reached home with seven balls to spare.
Chasing 173, Australia got off to a bad start as the side lost its skipper Aaron Finch (5) in the third over of the innings as he was sent back to the pavilion by Trent Boult. Mitchell Marsh joined David Warner in the middle and the duo took the team's score to 43/1 after the end of the powerplay.
Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene had his say on who will win the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. He said that his mind is with Australia but his heart thinks New Zealand will win the final. Both Australia and New Zealand are aiming to clinch their first-ever Men's T20 World Cup trophy at the Dubai International Stadium.
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has said that the ICC T20 World Cup schedule, where his team played four games in seven days, had been "somewhat hectic", but added that the two-day break between the semifinal and the title clash against Australia here had given the team the time to prepare for the summit clash.
Former South Africa captain and all-rounder Shaun Pollock believe that it will be a fairytale ride if New Zealand wins the ICC T20 World Cup final against Australia.
The USA is likely to host the T20 World Cup in 2024, which could serve as a launchpad in the ICC's bid for cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Australia won the toss and opted to bowl first in the Final of T20 World Cup 2021 at the Dubai International Stadium.
With both the teams eyeing their first-ever T20 World Cup title let's have a look at key battles to watch out for from the summit clash.
After a swift start, Australia found themselves in a do-or-die situation where they had to win the last two games in the Super 12 stage by a big margin to seal the place in the semifinal.
Finch also said that every team throughout the world wants to chase in the shortest format, but he also talked about the importance of putting big scores on the board.
Both New Zealand vs Australia have a personal history in the tournament and we will take a quick look at quick T20I stats from their previous encounters.
Neesham had his reasons to not move an inch in the dugout after scoring a momentum-changing 27 off 11 balls in the first semifinal.
Conway sustained the injury in the semi-final against England. Frustrated after being dismissed, Conway hit his own bat and scans today confirmed that he had broken his fifth metacarpal in his right hand.
Player of the Match Wade blazed his way to an unbeaten 17-ball effort to play a pivotal role in Australia's dramatic five-wicket victory against Pakistan here on Thursday.
After Pakistan suffered a five-wicket defeat, courtesy Wade's sensational three consecutive sixes off Shaheen Shah Afridi in the 19th over, Babar had said at the post-match presentation that the scenario of the match could have been different had the catch been taken.
Wade was on 21 from 13 balls when Ali dropped his catch at cow corner on the bowling Shaheen Afridi. The left-hand batsman went on to score 41 runs in 17 balls with three back to back sixes in the 19th over.
England was "devastated" to lose to New Zealand in the T20 World Cup semifinals but proud to have fought "unbelievably well", said limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan, who hopes to continue as the leader of the side.
Former England skipper Mike Atherton feels New Zealand is the strongest team across all three formats of the game at the moment after the Black Caps reached their maiden T20 World Cup final.
Pakistan batters Mohammad Rizwan and Shoaib Malik are suffering from "mild flu" and they could be doubtful starters for the T20 World Cup semifinal against Australia.
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