An insight into the four semi-finalists of the 2022 T20 World Cup

The group stage of the 2022 T20 World Cup has been a roller coaster ride. Upsets, thrilling matches, rains washing out matches, fans have seen it all. It wasn’t until the conclusion of the final match for each team that we got to know who our semi-finalists are. 

Till then, every team had a chance of qualifying where new scenarios and net run rate calculations were considered after the conclusion of a match 

42 matches later, we finally know the 4 teams which have qualified for the semi-finals.

So here is an insight into the four semi-finalists of the T20 World Cup.

New Zealand

New Zealand were the first team to qualify for the semi-finals. The fans and cricketing experts had predicted that England and Australia from group 1 will qualify for the semi-finals. Not only did New Zealand prove their doubters wrong, but they also topped their group.

This is the third consecutive the Kiwis have reached the semi-finals in the T20 World Cup. They will be looking to take it one step further by reaching the finals and winning their maiden T20 World Cup.

Highest run scorer for New Zealand in this World Cup: Glenn Phillips (195 runs) *

Highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in this World Cup: Mitchell Santner (8 Wickets) *

England

England were one of the favorites going into the T20 World Cup. The white ball giants ended up being placed second in their group after beating Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Afghanistan. England had a shaky start to their T20 World Cup campaign. They beat Afghanistan in their first match but lost to Ireland by 5 runs (DRS).

Their most awaited match against Australia was washed out due to rain. After their match against Australia was washed out, England were one loss away from getting knocked out from the world cup. In a must-win game against New Zealand, England went all guns blazing against the blackcaps, beating them by 20 runs. 

After a convincing win against Sri Lanka, England are going into the semi-finals with all the momentum in the world as they look to become 2-time T20 World Cup champions.

Highest run scorer for England in this World Cup: Alex Hales (125 runs) *

Highest wicket-taker for England in this World Cup: Sam Curran (10 Wickets) *

India

India was one of the teams the fans and cricketing experts expected to qualify for the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup, and they did not fail to meet their expectations. India went to the T20 World Cup with two of their major players missing, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah. This created a major concern for India's bowling department. Despite major concerns, the men in blue managed to not only qualify for the semi-finals but ended up topping their group with 8 points. 

Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and Arshdeep Singh were the biggest contributors for India, performing consistently and bailing India out in crunch situations. Every match India played was a thrilling and exciting encounter, whether it was against Pakistan, South Africa, or Bangladesh.

India are going into the semi-finals in red-hot form and they will be looking to win their first ICC trophy since 2013. 

Highest run scorer for India in this World Cup: Virat Kohli (246 runs) *

Highest wicket-taker for India in this World Cup: Arshdeep Singh (9 Wickets) *

Pakistan

Along with India, Pakistan were also one of the teams fans expected to qualify for the semi-finals. But after the back-to-back losses against India and Zimbabwe, the chances that Pakistan to qualify for the semi-finals were very slim.

They got their first win after beating the Netherlands by 6 wickets. In their next encounter, they beat South Africa by 33 runs due to Shadab Khan's heroics. Pakistan gave their best to ensure that they would qualify for the semi-finals, but the men in green also needed some luck to go their way. 

In order for Pakistan to qualify, they needed the Netherlands to beat South Africa. Fans did not expect the Dutch to beat South Africa but in this edition of the T20 World Cup, upsets were a regular occasion. 

After Netherlands' shocking victory over South Africa, Pakistan just had one task in hand, to beat Bangladesh. The men in green comfortably beat Bangladesh and they will face New Zealand in the first semi-final of the th2022 T20 World Cup.

Highest run scorer for Pakistan in this World Cup: Shan Masood (134 runs) *

Highest wicket-taker for Pakistan in this World Cup: Shadab Khan (10 Wickets) *

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