Xtra Time Web Desk: England openers Jos Buttler (80 off 49 balls) and Alex Hales (86 off 47 balls) shared a record partnership of 170 runs to blow away India by 10-wickets in the second semi final of the T20 World Cup 2022 at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday. Jos Buttler and his team will now meet Pakistan in the final to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, November 13.
India posted 6-168 with Hardik Pandya (63 from 33 balls) smacking five sixes and Virat Kohli (50 from 40 balls) smashing his fourth fifty in the tournament.
But Hales and Buttler launched into the Indian bowlers, smashing 63 runs in powerplay. It was a redemption for Alex Hales as he was banished from England’s white-ball set-up after a second failed drugs test for recreational substances ruled him out of the 50-over World Cup in 2019. He didn’t play for his country again until less than two months ago when recalled to the T20 squad after prolific run-scoring in the Big Bash League.
Earlier, Virat Kohli scored his fourth half century to take his tally to 296 runs at an average of 98.67 in the tournament. All-rounder Hardik Pandya too provided fireworks in a late assault as India smashed 68 runs from their last five overs. Hardik hit five sixes and four fours in his 33-ball knock.