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10:55 PM IST: Australia win their maiden T20 WC title
10:48 PM IST: 11 runs needed in last 12 balls
It's almost done and dusted for New Zealand in Dubai as Australia are just 11 runs away from lifting their maiden T20 World Cup trophy on Sunday.
10:31 PM IST: Australia cruising towards the target
Despite the dismissal of Warner, Australia have not lost their way in the run-chase with Marsh and Maxwell continuously hitting boundaries to take them closer to the target. They just need 37 runs in final 5 overs, which should be easy for them unless something extremely dramatic happens in Dubai.
10:25 PM IST: Brilliant fifty by Mitchell Marsh
Mitchell Marsh reaches a fantastic half-century by hitting a huge six off Ish Sodhi. Australia's No. 3 in the tournament has had a few good knocks but today, he looks like a man on mission. Can Marsh take his side over the line? It's 50 runs required off last 39 balls.
10:18 PM IST: BOULT GETS THE BREAKTHROUGH
Trent Boult has clean-bowled a well-set David Warner and it has slightly opened up the doors once again for the Kiwis to pave their way back into the match. Glenn Maxwell is the next batsman in and we are all set for an exciting phase in the finale.
10:10 PM IST: 50 FOR WARNER
David Warner hits a huge six over wide long-on to complete a fantastic half-century. Just like Williamson, the left-handed batsman is a big match player and he has stepped up on the occasion on the D-Day.
10:05 PM IST: Australia need 91 runs in last 60 balls
The finale is set up for a thrilling end with Australia's score reading 82/1 in 10 overs, chasing a target of 173. With Warner batting on 45* off 33, the Kangaroos might be slightly ahead but New Zealand are just a wicket away from getting themselves back into the game.
10:00 PM IST: VINTAGE WARNER ON SHOW
David Warner, who has had a fantastic tournament, is continuing his form in the finale as he smashed 2 fours and a huge six off Ish Sodhi to put the pressure back on the Kiwis. AUS 77/1 after 9 overs!
9:51 PM IST: AUS 50/1 IN 7 OVERS
Australia have reached the 50-run mark in 7 overs with Warner and Marsh batting cautiously against Ish Sodhi in the first over after powerplay. It will be Mitchell Santner now from the other end.
9:45 PM IST: Did you see the KANE SPECIAL in Dubai?
Twitter is flooded with fans and former cricketers full of praises for Kane Williamson for his heroic knock in Dubai on Sunday.
Just in case you missed his innings, you can check out the highlights here.
WATCH: Kane Williamson scores 85 runs off 48 balls against Australia
9:38 PM IST: Big over for Australia
After a tricky start, Australia are finally back in the contest with Mitchell Marsh scoring 15 runs in Adam Milne's first over. AUS 30/1 (4 overs).
9:34 PM IST: Not a good tournament for Finch as a batter
9:33 PM IST: WICKET! Boult gets Finch
Trent Boult gets the big wicket of Aaron Finch. The Australia skipper departs on 5.
9:29 PM IST: Australia get a move on
David Warner smashes Tim Southee for two back-to-back boundaries to get their chase going.
9:24 PM IST: A brilliant start by Boult
Just 1 run off the over. A big appeal by Boult on the last ball but Aaron Finch was too far down the crease.
9:23 PM IST: Shane Warner is expecting a nail-biter
Australian openers are in the middle. Trent Boult with the ball. Let the chase begin.
9:12 PM IST: NZ ends with 172 on board
A good over from Mitchell Starc reduces the damage for Australia but NZ has posted a very good total. Chasing over 170 in the final is never easy and the surface is not the typical Dubai pitch. An interesting chase ahead.
9:05 PM IST: Time for final over of 1st innings
After an entertaining 1.5 hours of cricket in Dubai, it's time for the final over of 1st innings with NZ's score reading 162/4. Can they go past the 170-run mark? Mitchell Starc, who has had a tough night, will bowl the 20th over.
8:57 PM IST: Williamson departs on 85
Kane Williamson tries to hit another big shot but unfortunately finds Steve Smith at long-off. Josh Hazlewood takes his third wicket of the evening as the Kiwi skipper goes back to the pavilion after playing a sensational 48-ball 85-run knock, which included 10 fours and 3 sixes.
However, the dropped chance by Hazlewood few overs back has turned out to be the game-changing moment so far. If you missed it, you can WATCH THE MOMENT HERE.
8:53 PM IST: Hazlewood dismisses Phillips
With New Zealand looking set to post a huge total, Aaron Finch got Josh Hazlewood back into the attack and the right-arm bowler delivers once again by dismissing Glenn Phillips. Next batsman is the hero of semis - James Neesham!
8:45 PM IST: KANE STORM in Dubai
4, 4, 6, 0, 4, 4 - The Kiwi skipper is going absolutely berserk in Dubai as he smashes Mitchell Starc for 22 runs in 16th over of the match. It was notably the most expensive over ever in a T20 World Cup Final.
8:40 PM IST: NZ 114/2 after 15 overs
After a few tough overs post powerplay, the Kiwis have completely turned around their innings as they have taken the attack to the Aussies in last few overs. While Williamson has been batting brilliantly since Hazlewood dropped the chance, Glenn Phillips has also played some impressive shots.
8:33 PM IST: Ashwin can't believe what Kane did in Dubai
8:30 PM IST: 50 FOR WILLIAMSON
Kane Williamson, who was struggling in the beginning, has found his groove on the big day. The Kiwi skipper is leading from the front as he smoked two back-to-back sixes off Glenn Maxwell to complete a sensational 31-ball fifty.
8:25 PM IST: Zampa strikes for Australia
Adam Zampa, who has been the in-form bowler for Australia in the middle overs in the tournament, rises to the occasion in the finals as well. The leg-spinner dismissed Martin Guptill, who tried to hit a slog shot but hit the ball straight into the hands of Marcus Stoinis at deep mid-wicket.
8:20 PM IST: HAZLEWOOD MISSES A SITTER!
With NZ looking to increase the run rate, Kane Williamson tried to play a big shot towards fine leg but it went straight towards Josh Hazlewood. Shockingly, the Aussie bowler made a mess of the opportunity as the ball got through his hands towards the boundary.
The Kiwi skipper took advantage of the extra life as he added salt on the wound, smashing Starc for back-to-back boundaries. Score: NZ 76/1 (11 overs). It is notably the second dropped catch of the evening after Wade had earlier missed a tough chance to dismiss Guptill.
Watch Here: Matthew Wade drops Martin Guptill off the bowling of Glenn Maxwell
8:12 PM IST: NZ 57/1 after 10 overs
NZ have wickets in hand but they need to move at a better run rate. Pitch is double paced and a target over 145 could be competitive here. Can Williamson play a skipper's knock here?
8:00 PM IST: Here's a fact that NZ fans might not enjoy
Aaron Finch won six out of seven tosses in this World Cup. The only time he lost the toss, Australia lost to England.
7:56 PM IST: A brilliant powerplay for Australia!
Australian pacers were on the mark as they restrict Williamson and Guptill to 32 in the powerplay. New Zealand need a move on here.
7:47 PM IST: Hazlewood gets the breakthrough!
Josh Hazlewood gets the big wicket of Daryl Mitchell. The pacer bowled a slow ball and it moved just enough off the straight to take the edge towards the keeper. Big wicket for the Aussies.
7:42 PM IST: BIG CHANCE! Catch dropped by Matthew Wade
Glenn Maxwell comes to bowl the 3rd over and after being hit for a six by Mitchell, he bounced back and bowled a brilliant over. Martin Guptill got an inside edge and it opened up an opportunity for the Aussies to get an early breakthrough but the difficult chance was missed by Matthew Wade.
7:39 PM IST: Impressive over by Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood bowls an impressive over to create pressure on the Kiwis. However, he missed his line on one delivery which was punished by Guptill. Score: NZ 13/0 (2 overs)
7:37 PM IST: Umpires for the grand finale
Richard Kettleborough - Standing in his 30th T20I
Marais Erasmus - Standing in his 35th T20I
7:35 PM IST: Good start for the Kiwis
The New Zealand openers showed positive intent against Starc as Guptill scored a glorious boundary in the first over. Score: NZ 9/0 (1 over)
7:30 PM IST: We are all set for the BIG GAME
The players of both sides take the knee, which has been the norm in the tournament so far. Mitchell Starc gets ready to bowl the first ball of the T20 WC 2021 finale with Daryl Mitchell on strike.
7:25 PM - Players of both sides enter the field
Amid a huge applause from the crowd at Dubai International Stadium, the players of both sides enter the field as they get ready for national anthems ahead of the big game.
7:07 PM - Australia Playing XI for the final
David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
7:06 PM - New Zealand Playing XI for the final
Martin Guptill, Daryl Mitchell, Kane Williamson (c), Tim Seifert (wk), Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Trent Boult
7:00 PM - Australia opt to BOWL.
Big toss win for Australia and they opt to chase. Can New Zealand change the trend? We will see.
6:53 PM - Australia look all set for the challenge
6:45 PM - Win the toss, win the game. Will this trend continue tonight? Out of the 12 games at Dubai in this tournament, 11 have been won by the chasing side. So, you can understand why both captains will be hoping to win the toss.
6:33 PM - Less than 30 minutes to go for the toss and we know what it's time for - FANTASY TEAM!
Do not forget to make your Fantasy XI before the game. Need some tips? We are here.
T20 World Cup Final - New Zealand vs Australia Fantasy Tips
The D-day is here! Welcome to the final of the T20 World Cup 2021. Tonight, New Zealand will lock horns with Australia to win their maiden T20 glory. Both teams were the least favourites to reach the finals before the start of the tournament but here they are. NZ would be hoping the avenge the defeat of the 2015 World Cup final where they faced defeat against the Kangaroos. Australia, on the other hand, are the master of knockout games. But T20 is unpredictable and so picking any team favourite before the game will be a big gamble. So who will it be? We will find out in a few hours time. So, just sit back and enjoy the game with us as we bring you the action.
