After an outstanding victory over New Zealand in Sydney on Wednesday, Pakistan is travelling to Melbourne for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final.

 The opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan delivered when it counted most to set up a victorious chase, making it Pakistan's greatest performance of the tournament thus far.

However, there were other pivotal moments that propelled Pakistan to the final in addition to Babar and Rizwan's excellence.

Pakistan's ability to restrict New Zealand during the Powerplay was always going to be crucial, and after being asked to bowl first, early wickets were at the top of the wish list.

Shaheen Afridi is undoubtedly the best player in the world of cricket to take the new ball, and the Pakistani strike bowler performed admirably on the big stage as he almost usually does.

Two times in the first three balls of the inning, when Finn Allen was in serious difficulty due to vicious inswingers, the finger was raised. The opener received a one-ball respite thanks to a large inside edge off the first decision, but the removal of New Zealand's powerful right-hander immediately set the innings back.

In the Powerplay, Shaheen only managed to take one wicket, but his first over was decisive.

Throughout the Powerplay, the Black Caps were constrained, preventing them from taking advantage of the opening. However, the Kiwis had a foundation from which they may have hoped to compile a sizable score with Devon Conway and Kane Williamson firmly in place at the wicket.

Conway is the foundation of New Zealand's batting order and currently ranks third in the world in terms of batsmen, therefore his dismissal by way of a run out was a significant and pivotal point in the game.

The decision to take the run by New Zealand wasn't even particularly a mistake; taking the wicket required fielding of the highest caliber.

Even for Shadab Khan, one of the best fielders in the world, the swoop and direct hit were miraculous.

Mohammad Nawaz has had a challenging competition at times, as the all-around player was present on some trying occasions during his team's defeats in the group round.

Therefore, it was especially heartwarming to see the left-arm spinner have a significant influence.

Since the beginning of the competition, Glenn Phillips has been in excellent shape and could have led the Kiwis to a difficult total. Nawaz tricked him in the air, chipping a return catch back to the bowler.

While Pakistan appeared to be in total control of their chase, there was just a little sense of pressure building when the goal was set at 19 from 15 balls.

There might have been a possibility for New Zealand to win it in the final over if the required total had slipped into Mitchel Santner and Tim Southee's final two overs, but Mohammad Haris relieved the pressure just as it began to build.

The 21-year-old was playing in just his fourth T20I, but in the 18th over, after a flowing four and a huge hook that sailed over square leg for six, he really stepped up.