ENG VS NZ T20I

That's a wrap to this exhilarating see-saw contest. We have got our first finalist in New Zealand. Do join us on Thursday for the clash between Australia and Pakistan in Dubai to find out the second finalist. The action will begin at 6 pm local (2 pm GMT) but you can join us in advance for the build-up. Cheers!

Kane Williamson, the victorious captain of New Zealand, says that they have played England on several occasions and they knew it was going to be a great game of cricket. Adds that England had a good total on the board but staying in the game was the key. Praises Daryl Mitchell and the character that he has shown throughout the tournament. Confesses that they were probably a little behind the curve but the momentum shifted at the right time. Praises James Neesham and says that it was a valuable knock from him and it was ultimately the deciding factor for them. Shares that they will be watching the second semi-final and are expecting a fantastic match. Signs off by saying that they know they have another challenge coming up and they will focus on that.

Eoin Morgan, the captain of England, says that coming into the game they knew that both sides were really good and credits Kane Williamson and his team for the way they played. Praises his team by saying that they fought really hard in the tournament and even in this game, but it wasn't their day. Says that it is hard to identify the key moments where they lost the game but feels that they lost the momentum in the last few overs. Shares that it was a sluggish wicket and offered a bit to the spinners but England hung in there to put a par score. Credits James Neesham for the way he hit sixes straightaway on this pitch. Finishes by saying that he loves playing for England and he hopes to play the next T20 World Cup in 2022.

This is the highest target chased by New Zealand in a T20 World Cup match. Their previous best was 152 against Netherlands in 2014.

No prizes for guessing, Daryl Mitchell is the Player of the Match! The Kiwi opener says that it was a little whirlwind and he is just happy to get the job done in the end. Mentions that the pitch was a little two-paced at the start and the innings by Conway set the platform and Neesham with his hitting from ball one helped them. Adds that they wanted to hang in there and they knew that one or two good overs will help them to get the job done. He signs off by saying that it is cool to have his family here watching the game.

Presentation time...

Earlier in the evening, after being put to bat first, England didn't get the desired start as they lost both Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler quite early. The Three Lions struggled for fluency throughout, especially in the first half of their batting innings. Courtesy of the stand between Moeen Ali and Dawid Malan, England clawed their way back and the former made sure to take the total beyond the 160-run mark. However, things didn't go according to the plan for them with the ball in the end overs and they ended up losing the knockout game.

England will be shell-shocked. It was their game to lose till the start of the last five overs and some very average bowling at the death has cost them a chance to play in the final. James Neesham targeted Chris Jordan in the 17th over and New Zealand amassed 23 runs from it. It all went haywire for the Three Lions and that over turned out to be the momentum stealer. The Blackcaps rode the momentum from thereon and demolished the target in the end.

The chips were down in the New Zealand camp. The required rate was alarmingly high. The chance to play in the final was fast slipping away. It was a pitch that demanded application and bravery. Daryl Mitchell showed both the qualities and James Neesham's arrival injected fresh momentum into the chase for the Kiwis. His sparkling cameo brought the required rate down drastically and then Mitchell took over. He stayed unbeaten and steered the Kiwis to victory with 6 balls to spare in the end. Unbelievable.

To be honest, it appeared that it's not the night for New Zealand. Their chase started on the wrong note as they lost two of the most experienced batters in Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson fairly early and cheaply. The 82-run stand between Daryl Mitchell and Devon Conway brought a ray of hope in the New Zealand camp but the departure of the latter put immense pressure on them. Mitchell did spend some time in the middle but he was not at his fluent best and struggled for timing. That was one half of the story, the next half made him the hero.

NEW ZEALAND ARE IN THE FINAL! They have done it. They have avenged their loss against England by knocking them out of the 2021 T20 World Cup. The pain of Lord's, the ghost of Lord's that haunted the Blackcaps has been buried here in Abu Dhabi. What a match! What a victory! Daryl Mitchell has emerged as the unlikely hero for the Kiwis and they are over the moon. The Kiwi dugout is jumping in joy. You can feel the excitement in the air.

FOUR! Mitchell though wants to end it in style and he does so! NEW ZEALAND HAVE BEATEN THE LAST WORLD CUP'S FINALIST AND HEAD TO THE FINAL! A high full toss, on middle and leg, Mitchell swings, it goes off the inner half through backward square leg. Boundary.

Shorter in length and on middle, Santner now pulls it towards deep square leg for one. Singles will do it now for the Kiwis.

Eoin Morgan is in discussion with Chris Woakes. Does the pacer have one more trick up his sleeve?

Five more needed! A short one, on middle, Daryl Mitchell pulls, this time he does not get on top of the bounce. It goes off the top edge but lands well short of deep square leg for one.

SIX! BANG! Daryl Mitchell is in a hurry now to end this. He is just a big hit away! Short and on middle, sits up to be hit. Mitchell nails the pull and it goes over the mid-wicket fence.

SIX! Daryl Mitchell, you beauty! After Neesham's wicket, the onus is now on him and he is providing it. Not good bowling though from England. It is length and on middle, this is thumped over the long on fence for a biggie. 12 needed in 10. New Zealand's game to lose.

Good running! Two taken! Shorter and on middle, this is slapped straight down the ground. They take one, go for the second. Complete it.