T20 World Cup: Pakistan Team Mentor Matthew Hayden Says He Wants Final vs India After Victory Over New Zealand

It will be Pakistan's third appearance in the T20 World Cup final. They had finished runners-up to India in the inaugural edition in 2007 and claimed the title two years later.

Pakistan team mentor Matthew Hayden wants to play the World Cup final against India purely for the sake of "big spectacle". An India-Pakistan clash generates much interest, mostly to the level of obsession, which was evident in the Group stage when Virat Kohli earned plaudits for orchestrating his team's much talked-about victory under pressure. Pakistan stormed into the final with a comfortable seven-wicket win over New Zealand and now await the winner of the second semifinal between India and England.

"I would like to play India in the final purely because of the big spectacle," he said when asked which opponent he will choose for the final.

Pakistan were on the verge of an early exit after defeats against India and Zimbabwe but luck smiled on them when Netherlands knocked South Africa out of the tournament to open up an opportunity for Paksitan.

Babar Azam's side then beat Bangladesh to qualify for the semifinal.

It will be Pakistan's third appearance in the T20 World Cup final. They had finished runners-up to India in the inaugural edition in 2007 and claimed the title two years later.