Pakistan hardly put a foot wrong and dominated pretty much from start to finish, beating New Zealand by seven wickets in their World Cup semi-final clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

The reward for them is an entry in the World Cup final opposite one of England and India on Sunday. If it turns out to be the former, than it would keep them on track to replicate the template of their successful World Cup run from 30 years ago when they had come back from the dead to beat the Kiwis in the semis and England in the final.

They had a nightmare start to the day as Babar Azam lost the toss and was forced to field first when he’d have liked to bat. Then, on the first ball of the over, their star pacer Shaheen Afridi was hit for a four. From that point on, however, it was all Pakistan.

From bowling to fielding and even decision making, Babar and Co got every single thing right as the Kiwis were a distant second. Set a target of 153, it was expected that the out-of-form pairing of Babar and Mohammad Rizwan could struggle. Those concerns were quickly put to bed as the Pakistan openers dominated Kiwi pacers.

Both the star openers, after a tournament’s worth of struggles, came alive when it mattered the most and scored half centuries each. The pair did not stay till the end, but their body of work was enough to let latter batters get the team over the line comfortably.

PAKISTAN INNINGS

153-3 after 19.1 overs: Southee to Masood, 1 run

152-3 after 19.1 overs: Southee to Masood, 1 run wide

Shan Masood 2 (3)

151-3 after 19 overs: Santner to Haris (30), CAUGHT OUT

151-2 after 18.5 overs: Santner to Masood, 3 runs

148-2 after 18.4 overs: Santner to Haris, 1 run

147-2 after 18.3 overs: Santner to Masood, 1 run

146-2 after 18.2 overs: Santner to Haris, 1 run

145-2 after 18.1 overs: Santner to Haris, no run

Mohammad Haris 28 (22), Shan Masood 1 (1)

145-2 after 18 overs: Ferguson to Haris, 1 run

144-2 after 17.5 overs: Ferguson to Haris, SIX runs

138-2 after 17.4 overs: Ferguson to Haris, FOUR runs

134-2 after 17.3 overs: Ferguson to Haris, no run

134-2 after 17.2 overs: Ferguson to Masood, 1 run

133-2 after 17.1 overs: Ferguson to Haris, 1 run

Mohammad Haris 17 (17)

132-2 after 17 overs: Boult to Rizwan (57), OUT CAUGHT

132-1 after 16.5 overs: Boult to Rizwan, no run

132-1 after 16.4 overs: Boult to Rizwan, 2 runs

130-1 after 16.3 overs: Boult to Haris, 1 run

129-1 after 16.2 overs: Boult to Haris, no run

129-1 after 16.1 overs: Boult to Haris, 2 runs

Mohammad Haris 15 (14), Mohammad Rizwan 55 (40)

127-1 after 16 overs: Southee to Haris, 1 run

126-1 after 15.5 overs: Southee to Rizwan, 1 run

125-1 after 15.4 overs: Southee to Rizwan, no run

125-1 after 15.3 overs: Southee to Haris, 1 run

124-1 after 15.2 overs: Southee to Haris, 2 runs

122-1 after 15.1 overs: Southee to Haris, no run

Mohammad Haris 11 (10), Mohammad Rizwan 54 (38)

122-1 after 15 overs: Santner to Haris, 1 run

121-1 after 14.5 overs: Santner to Rizwan, 1 run

120-1 after 14.4 overs: Santner to Haris, 1 run

119-1 after 14.3 overs: Santner to Rizwan, 3 runs

116-1 after 14.2 overs: Santner to Haris, 1 run

115-1 after 14.1 overs: Santner to Haris, 2 runs

Mohammad Haris 6 (6), Mohammad Rizwan 50 (36)

113-1 after 14 overs: Sodhi to Haris, 1 run

112-1 after 13.5 overs: Sodhi to Haris, no run

112-1 after 13.4 overs: Sodhi to Rizwan, 1 run

111-1 after 13.3 overs: Sodhi to Haris, 1 run

110-1 after 13.2 overs: Sodhi to Haris, no run

110-1 after 13.1 overs: Sodhi to Rizwan, 1 run

Mohammad Haris 4 (2), Mohammad Rizwan 48 (34)

109-1 after 13 overs: Boult to Haris, FOUR runs

105-1 after 12.5 overs: Boult to Haris, no run

105-1 after 12.4 overs: Boult to Babar (53), OUT CAUGHT

105-0 after 12.3 overs: Boult to Rizwan, 1 run

104-0 after 12.2 overs: Boult to Babar, 1 run

103-0 after 12.1 overs: Boult to Rizwan, 1 run

Mohammad Rizwan 46 (32), Babar Azam 52 (40)

102-0 after 12 overs: Sodhi to Rizwan, 1 run

101-0 after 11.5 overs: Sodhi to Babar, 1 run

100-0 after 11.4 overs: Sodhi to Rizwan, 1 run

99-0 after 11.3 overs: Sodhi to Rizwan, no run

99-0 after 11.2 overs: Sodhi to Babar, 1 run

98-0 after 11.1 overs: Sodhi to Rizwan, 1 run

Babar Azam 50 (38), Mohammad Rizwan 43 (28)

97-0 after 11 overs: Ferguson to Babar, 2 runs

95-0 after 10.5 overs: Ferguson to Babar, no run

95-0 after 10.4 overs: Ferguson to Babar, FOUR runs

91-0 after 10.3 overs: Ferguson to Rizwan, 1 run

90-0 after 10.2 overs: Ferguson to Babar, 1 run

89-0 after 10.1 overs: Ferguson to Rizwan, 1 run

88-0 after 10.1 overs: Ferguson to Rizwan, 1 run wide

Babar Azam 43 (34), Mohammad Rizwan 41 (26)

87-0 after 10 overs: Sodhi to Babar, 2 runs

85-0 after 9.5 overs: Sodhi to Babar, FOUR runs

81-0 after 9.4 overs: Sodhi to Rizwan, 1 run

80-0 after 9.3 overs: Sodhi to Babar, 1 run

79-0 after 9.2 overs: Sodhi to Rizwan, 3 runs

76-0 after 9.1 overs: Sodhi to Babar, 1 run

Mohammad Rizwan 37 (24), Babar Azam 35 (30)

75-0 after 9 overs: Santner to Rizwan, 2 runs

73-0 after 8.5 overs: Santner to Babar, 1 run

72-0 after 8.4 overs: Santner to Rizwan, 1 run

71-0 after 8.3 overs: Santner to Rizwan, 2 runs

69-0 after 8.2 overs: Santner to Babar, 1 run

68-0 after 8.1 overs: Santner to Babar, no run

Comment: So mesmerised we were at Babar and Rizwan’s onslaught that we almost abandoned this thread. As things stand, Pakistan are well and truly on top. Surely, even they cannot lose from this position. Or can they?

Babar Azam 33 (27), Mohammad Rizwan 32 (21)

68-0 after 8 overs: Sodhi to Babar, 1 run

67-0 after 7.5 overs: Sodhi to Rizwan, 1 run

66-0 after 7.4 overs: Sodhi to Babar, 1 run

65-0 after 7.3 overs: Sodhi to Rizwan, 1 run

64-0 after 7.2 overs: Sodhi to Babar, 1 run

63-0 after 7.1 overs: Sodhi to Babar, no run

Babar Azam 30 (23), Mohammad Rizwan 30 (19)

63-0 after 7 overs: Ferguson to Babar, 1 run

62-0 after 6.5 overs: Ferguson to Babar, FOUR runs

58-0 after 6.4 overs: Ferguson to Rizwan, 1 run

57-0 after 6.3 overs: Ferguson to Babar, 1 run

56-0 after 6.2 overs: Ferguson to Babar, no run

56-0 after 6.1 overs: Ferguson to Rizwan, 1 run

Mohammad Rizwan 28 (17), Babar Azam 25 (19)

55-0 after 6 overs: Ferguson to Rizwan, 1 run

54-0 after 5.5 overs: Ferguson to Babar, 1 run

53-0 after 5.4 overs: Ferguson to Babar, FOUR runs

49-0 after 5.3 overs: Ferguson to Rizwan, 1 run

48-0 after 5.2 overs: Ferguson to Rizwan, no run

48-0 after 5.1 overs: Ferguson to Babar, 1 run

Babar Azam 19 (16), Mohammad Rizwan 27 (14)

47-0 after 5 overs: Southee to Babar, 1 run

46-0 after 4.5 overs: Southee to Babar, FOUR runs

42-0 after 4.4 overs: Southee to Babar, no run

42-0 after 4.4 overs: Southee to Babar, 1 run wide

41-0 after 4.3 overs: Southee to Rizwan, 1 run

40-0 after 4.2 overs: Southee to Rizwan, FOUR runs

36-0 after 4.1 overs: Southee to Rizwan, FOUR runs

Babar Azam 14 (13), Mohammad Rizwan 18 (11)

32-0 after 4 overs: Ferguson to Babar, no run

32-0 after 3.5 overs: Ferguson to Rizwan, 1 run

31-0 after 3.4 overs: Ferguson to Rizwan, no run

31-0 after 3.3 overs: Ferguson to Babar, 1 run

30-0 after 3.2 overs: Ferguson to Babar, 2 runs

28-0 after 3.1 overs: Ferguson to Babar, FOUR runs

Mohammad Rizwan 17 (9), Babar Azam 7 (9)

24-0 after 3 overs: Boult to Rizwan, FOUR runs

20-0 after 2.5 overs: Boult to Rizwan, 2 runs

18-0 after 2.4 overs: Boult to Rizwan, FOUR runs

14-0 after 2.3 overs: Boult to Babar, 1 run

13-0 after 2.2 overs: Boult to Babar, FOUR runs

9-0 after 2.1 overs: Boult to Babar, no run

Babar Azam 2 (6) Mohammad Rizwan 7 (6)

9-0 after 2 overs: Southee to Babar Azam, 1 run

8-0 after 1.5 overs: Southee to Babar, no run

8-0 after 1.4 overs: Southee to Babar, no run

8-0 after 1.3 overs: Southee to Babar, no run

8-0 after 1.2 overs: Southee to Rizwan, 1 run

7-0 after 1.1 overs: Southee to Rizwan, no run

Babar Azam 1 (2), Mohammad Rizwan 6 (4)

7-0 after 1 over: Boult to Babar, 0 run.

7-0 after 0.5 overs: Boult to Rizwan, 1 run.

6-0 after 0.4 overs: Boult to Babar, 1 run.

5-0 after 0.3 overs: Boult to Rizwan, 1 run.

4-0 after 0.2 overs: Boult to Rizwan, 0 run.

4-0 after 0.1 overs: Boult to Rizwan, 4 runs.

Story at the break:

Boosted by unusual and almost unexpected sharpness of their fielders that saw catches taken and direct hits made, Pakistan restricted New Zealand to a somewhat modest total of 152 for 4.

After lazy defeats to India and Zimbabwe earlier in the tournament, the Pakistan that showed up for the big semi today was a supremely disciplined unit.

The bowlers hit the right length again and again, the captain shuffled his optionswell and most importantly, the fielders hardly put a foot wrong all through the 20 overs.

After being hit for a four off the very first ball of the innings, Shaheen and Co came back strongly, found a breakthrough early and kept the pressure up.

They had reduced the Kiwis to 49 for 3 before a 68-run stand between Williamson (46) and Daryl Mitchell rescued the innings. Shaheen was the pick of the bowlers, with his wicket of Allen in the opening over and then again of Williamson being two major pivotal points.

Daryl Mitchell 53 (35), James Neesham 16 (12)

152-4 after 20 overs: Naseem to Mitchell, 1 runs.

151-4 after 19.5 overs: Naseem to Mitchell, 2 runs.

150-4 after 19.5 overs: Naseem to Mitchell, 1 run.

149-4 after 19.4 overs: Naseem to Neesham, 1 run.

148-4 after 19.3 overs: Naseem to Mitchell, 1 run.

147-4 after 19.2 overs: Naseem to Neesham, 1 run.

146-4 after 19.1 overs: Naseem to Neesham, 2 runs.

Daryl Mitchell 50 (32), James Neesham 14 (9)

144-4 after 19 overs: Rauf to Mitchell, 2 runs.

142-4 after 18.5 overs: Rauf to Neesham, 1 runs.

141-4 after 18.4 overs: Rauf to Neesham, 4 runs.

137-4 after 18.3 overs: Rauf to Mitchell, 1 runs.

136-4 after 18.2 overs: Rauf to Mitchell, 2 runs.

134-4 after 18.1 overs: Rauf to Neesham, 1 run.

Daryl Mitchell 46 (29), James Neesham 8 (6)

133-4 after 18 overs: Naseem to Neesham, 1 run.

132-4 after 17.5 overs: Naseem to Mitchell, 1 run.

131-4 after 17.4 overs: Naseem to Mitchell, 2 runs.

129-4 after 17.3 overs: Naseem to Neesham, 1 run.

128-4 after 17.2 overs: Naseem to Mitchell, 1 run.

127-4 after 17.1 overs: Naseem to Mitchell, 4 runs.

Daryl Mitchell 38 (25), James Neesham 6 (4)

Comment: Just when it seemed the Kiwis would hit the accelerator, Shaheen gets rid of Williamson. The NZ captain tries to scoop but missed it and the lanky pacer hits his stumps.

123-4 after 17 overs: Shaheen to Neesham, 2 runs.

119-4 after 16.4 overs: Shaheen to Neesham, 2 runs.

117-4 after 16.3 overs: Shaheen to Neesham, 0 run.

117-4 after 16.2 overs: Shaheen to Williamson, OUT. (46 off 42 balls)

117-3 after 16.1 overs: Shaheen to Mitchell, 1 run.

Kane Williamson 46 (41), Daryl Mitchell 38 (24)

116-3 after 16 overs: Rauf to Mitchell, 1 run.

115-3 after 15.5 overs: Rauf to Mitchell, 2 runs.

113-3 after 15.4 overs: Rauf to Mitchell, 2 runs.

111-3 after 15.3 overs: Rauf to Mitchell, 2 runs.

109-3 after 15.2 overs: Rauf to Williamson, 1 run.

108-3 after 15.1 overs: Rauf to Williamson, 2 runs.

Kane Williamson 43 (39), Daryl Mitchell 31 (20)

106-3 after 15 overs: Shaheen to Williamson, 1 run.

105-3 after 14.5 overs: Shaheen to Mitchell, 1 run.

104-3 after 14.4 overs: Shaheen to Williamson, 1 run.

103-3 after 14.3 overs: Shaheen to Williamson, 4 runs.

99-3 after 14.2 overs: Shaheen to Williamson, 0 run.

99-3 after 14.1 overs: Shaheen to Williamson, 0 run.

Comment: It was a risk to continue with Shadab after what happened in the last over. Babar took the gamble and Mitchell, after exchanging singles off the first four balls, finds a big six off the fifth. The last one is a dot ball.

Kane Williamson 38 (37), Daryl Mitchell 24 (16)

99-3 after 14 overs: Shadab to Mitchell, 0 run.

99-3 after 13.5 overs: Shadab to Mitchell, 6 runs.

93-3 after 13.4 overs: Shadab to Williamson, 1 run.

92-3 after 13.3 overs: Shadab to Mitchell, 1 run.

91-3 after 13.2 overs: Shadab to Williamson, 1 run.

90-3 after 13.1 overs: Shadab to Mitchell, 1 run.

Comment: With Mitchell showing his intentions in the previous over that he was going to take his chances against spinners, pace is brought back. Naseem bowls a tight line and concedes eight runs composed entirely of singles and doubles.

Kane Williamson 36 (33), Daryl Mitchell 22 (14)

89-3 after 13 overs: Wasim to Mitchell, 1 run.

88-3 after 12.5 overs: Wasim to Mitchell, 0 run.

88-3 after 12.4 overs: Wasim to Williamson, 1 run.

87-3 after 12.3 overs: Wasim to Williamson, 0 run.

87-3 after 12.2 overs: Wasim to Williamson, 0 run.

87-3 after 12.1 overs: Wasim to Williamson, 6 runs.

Kane Williamson 28 (28), Daryl Mitchell 21 (13)

81-3 after 12 overs: Naseem to Mitchell, 2 runs.

79-3 after 11.5 overs: Naseem to Williamson, 1 run.

78-3 after 11.4 overs: Naseem to Williamson, 2 runs.

76-3 after 11.3 overs: Naseem to Mitchell, 1 run.

75-3 after 11.2 overs: Naseem to Williamson, 1 run.

74-3 after 11.1 overs: Naseem to Mitchell, 1 run.

Comment: A rare big over for New Zealand as Mitchell finds two boundaries off Shadab. 14 off it.

Kane Williamson 24 (25), Daryl Mitchell 18 (10)

73-3 after 11 overs: Shadab to Mitchell, 1 run.

72-3 after 10.5 overs: Shadab to Mitchell, 4 runs.

68-3 after 10.4 overs: Shadab to Mitchell, 2 runs.

66-3 after 10.3 overs: Shadab to Mitchell, 2 runs.

64-3 after 10.2 overs: Shadab to Mitchell, 4 runs.

60-3 after 10.1 overs: Shadab to Williamson, 1 run.

Kane Williamson 23 (24), Daryl Mitchell 5 (5)

59-3 after 10 overs: Nawaz to Mitchell, 2 runs.

57-3 after 9.5 overs: Nawaz to Williamson, 1 run.

56-3 after 9.4 overs: Nawaz to Mitchell, 1 run.

55-3 after 9.3 overs: Nawaz to Williamson, 1 run.

54-3 after 9.2 overs: Nawaz to Mitchell, 1 run.

53-3 after 9.1 overs: Nawaz to Williamson, 1 run.

Kane Williamson 20 (21), Daryl Mitchell 1 (2)

Comment: First over over spin is hit for just six runs as the excellent Shadab is hit for a boundary but recovers well.

52-3 after 9 overs: Shadab to Williamson, 1 run.

51-3 after 8.5 overs: Shadab to Williamson, 0 run.

51-3 after 8.4 overs: Shadab to Mitchell, 1 run.

50-3 after 8.3 overs: Shadab to Mitchell, 0 run.

50-3 after 8.2 overs: Shadab to Williamson, 1 run.

49-3 after 8.1 overs: Shadab to Williamson, 0 run.

Comment: Mohammad Nawaz misses a run out chance on his own bowling. He sees Williamson’s defensive shot come straight to him. Phillips, on the non-striker’s, end was outside his crease but Nawaz for some reason does not make the throw that would have definitely had the Kiwi batter out. He makes up for it by catching Phillips off his own bowling later in the over.

Kane Williamson 18 (17), Glenn Philips 6 (8)-OUT

49-3 after 8 overs: Nawaz to Phillips, OUT!

49-2 after 7.5 overs: Nawaz to Phillips, 0 run.

48-2 after 7.4 overs: Nawaz to Williamson, 2 runs.

46-2 after 7.3 overs: Nawaz to Phillips, 1 run.

45-2 after 7.2 overs: Nawaz to Phillips, 0 run.

45-2 after 7.1 overs: Nawaz to Williamson, 1 run.

Comment: First over over spin is hit for just six runs as the excellent Shadab is hit for a boundary but recovers well.

Kane Williamson 14 (14), Glenn Philips 5 (5)

44-2 after 7 overs: Shadab to Williamson, 0 run.

44-2 after 6.5 overs: Shadab to Williamson, 0 run.

44-2 after 6.4 overs: Shadab to Williamson, 0 run.

44-2 after 6.3 overs: Shadab to Williamson, 4 runs.

40-2 after 6.2 overs: Shadab to Williamson, 1 run.

39-2 after 6.1 overs: Shadab to Phillips, 1 run.

Comment: Pakistan have so far been excellent in the field, and another demonstration of it was given by Shadab, who makes Conway pay for trying to steal a quick single. His direct hit from mid off runs out the Kiwi southpaw.

Kane Williamson 13 (13), Devon Conway 21 (20)- OUT

38-2 after 6 overs: Rauf to Conway, OUT (run-out, Shadab Khan)

38-1 after 5.5 overs: Rauf to Conway, 0 run.

38-1 after 5.4 overs: Rauf to Conway, 2 runs.

36-1 after 5.3 overs: Rauf to Williamson, 1 run.

35-1 after 5.2 overs: Rauf to Conway, 1 run.

34-1 after 5.1 overs: Rauf to Conway, 4 runs.

Comment: Another quiet over, just seven off it in what was Wasim’s opening over. No boundaries for the Kiwis since the second over.

Kane Williamson 12 (12), Devon Conway 14 (15)

30-1 after 5 overs: Wasim to Conway, 1 run.

29-1 after 4.5 overs: Wasim to Williamson, 1 run.

28-1 after 4.4 overs: Wasim to Williamson, 2 runs.

26-1 after 4.3 overs: Wasim to Conway, 1 run.

25-1 after 4.2 overs: Wasim to Williamson, 1 run.

24-1 after 4.1 overs: Wasim to Conway, 1 run.

Comment: Naseem Shah removed after just one over. Haris Rauf replaces him and starts with an overpitched delivery that is taken for a few runs but then recovers well with a tight rest of the over.

Just four of it.

Kane Williamson 8 (9), Devon Conway 11 (12)

23-1 after 4 overs: Rauf to Williamson, 0 run.

23-1 after 3.5 overs: Rauf to Williamson, 0 run.

23-1 after 3.4 overs: Rauf to Conway, 1 run.

22-1 after 3.3 overs: Rauf to Williamson, 1 run.

21-1 after 3.2 overs: Rauf to Williamson, 0 run.

21-1 after 3.1 overs: Rauf to Williamson, 2 runs.

Kane Williamson 5 (4), Devon Conway 10 (11)

19-1 after 3 overs: Shaheen to Conway, 0 run.

19-1 after 2.5 overs: Shaheen to Williamson, 1 run.

18-1 after 2.4 overs: Shaheen to Conway, 1 run.

17-1 after 2.3 overs: Shaheen to Conway, 0 run.

17-1 after 2.2 overs: Shaheen to Conway, 0 run.

17-1 after 2.1 overs: Shaheen to Williamson, 3 runs.

Kane Williamson 1 (2), Devon Conway 9(7)

Comment: Naseem does not do much wrong in his opening over but still gets hit for a pair of boundaries by Conway. He nearly plays one on to his stumps.

14-1 after 2 overs: Naseem to Conway , 4 runs.

10-1 after 1.5 overs: Naseem to Conway , 0 run.

10-1 after 1.4 overs: Naseem to Conway , 4 runs.

6-1 after 1.3 overs: Naseem to Conway , 0 run.

6-1 after 1.2 overs: Naseem to Conway , 0 run.

6-1 after 1.1 over: Naseem to Conway , 0 run.

Comment: Action-paced start to the semi-final as Shaheen is hit for a four the very first ball of the match. He nearly gets Allen lbw the next ball, only for the decision to be overturned. The same thing happened again but this time the review does not produce the desired results for the Kiwi man as Pakistan draw first blood.

Kane Williamson 1 (2), Devon Conway 1(1)

6-1 after 1 over: Shaheen to Williamson, 0 run.

6-1 after 0.5 over: Shaheen to Conway, 1 run.

5-1 after 0.4 over: Shaheen to Williamson, 1 run.

Skipper Kane Williamson’s in

4-1 after 0.3 over: Shaheen to Allen, OUT

4-0 after 0.2 over: Shaheen to Allen, 0 run (LBW reversed after review)

4-0 after 0.1 over: Shaheen to Allen, 4 runs.

12:58: The first ball of the match will be bowled shortly.

12:55: Former prime minister Imran Khan extends best wishes to the team and advises them to “fight till the last ball”.

12:53pm: The national anthems are being played.

12:40pm: The team line-ups are in:

Pakistan: 1 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 2 Babar Azam (capt), 3 Mohammad Haris, 4 Shan Masood, 5 Iftikhar Ahmed, 6 Shadab Khan, 7 Mohammad Nawaz, 8 Mohammad Wasim Jr, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Shaheen Afridi

New Zealand: 1 Finn Allen, 2 Devon Conway (wk), 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Glenn Phillips, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Jimmy Neesham, 7 Mitchell Santner, 8 Tim Southee, 9 Ish Sodhi, 10 Lockie Ferguson, 11 Trent Boult

12:30pm: New Zealand have won the toss, chosen to bat first.

12:17pm: Here’s Babar Azam at the pitch inspection.

12:13pm: Pakistan team mentor Matthew Hayden backs skipper Babar Azam to fire in the crucial game today

12:12pm: Also, don’t miss: Hopeful or hope-fool: Which side of Pakistan fandom divide are you on?

12:08pm: Check out our feature: The captain must ‘step back’ for Pakistan to move forward

12.01pm: This is the start of Dawn.com’s live thread for the Pakistan vs New Zealand semi-final clash.