AB de Villiers is looking forward to the T20 World Cup semi-finals (Pictures: Getty)
AB de Villiers has made his T20 World Cup semi-final predictions as New Zealand face Pakistan and India take on England.
Last year’s runners-up New Zealand topped Super 12 Group 1 and will face Pakistan on Wednesday morning for a place in the final.
India and England meet in the second semi-final in Adelaide on Thursday morning.
New Zealand came into the tournament under the radar but send a message to their T20 World Cup rivals with an emphatic opening victory over defending champions Australia.
Their second fixture against Afghanistan was abandoned but the Black Caps picked up from where they left off against Sri Lanka as Glenn Phillips stole the show with a brilliant century.
New Zealand suffered a setback as they slipped to a 20-run defeat to England but were still in control of their destiny and beat Ireland in their final group game to progress to the knockout stages.
The Kiwis face a Pakistan side who looked set to crash out of the tournament after losing their first two games – to India and Zimbabwe – in final-ball thrillers.
Pakistan face New Zealand for a place in the T20 World Cup final (Picture: Getty)
But Babar Azam’s side won three games in a row and saw other results go their way to keep their hopes of winning a second T20 World Cup alive.
India topped Super 12 Group 2 with eight points, having secured a remarkable win over arch-rivals Pakistan on the opening weekend and then beating Netherlands, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
England, meanwhile, finished second in Group 1, level on points with group winners New Zealand and above third-placed Australia due to their superior run-rate.
A shock defeat to Ireland threatened to end England’s World Cup hopes but Jos Buttler’s side responded with wins over New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
India take on England at the Adelaide Oval (Picture: Getty)
Looking ahead to the T20 World Cup semi-finals, South Africa hero De Villiers told PTI: ‘I think India and New Zealand will get to the final and India will win it.
‘Everyone in the India team is playing well. Suryakumar looks in good form, Virat looks in good form. Rohit has not had his best run, but he will come to the party when it matters most.
‘He is a fantastic player. The whole batting line-up and team are talented. I am looking forward to them having a good game against England, which is their biggest test.
‘If they win the semi-final, I think they are lifting the trophy.’
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‘This is their biggest test.’
