Comment Pakistan rediscover the magic of 1992 - for real.

SOMETIMES the heavens align. Sometimes it snows in April. Sometimes the magic takes hold of Pakistan cricket, rescues it from the jaws of despair, and clears its path to the pinnacle. At times like this it is best to go with the mood, to trip the light fantastic, to savour Pakistan's version of magical realism. The Netherlands created the mood, and Pakistan's bowlers, led by the star-shaped celebrations of Shaheen Shah Afridi, propelled Pakistan into the T20 World Cup semifinals.

New Zealand await Pakistan under the Sydney lights in an echo of 1992. The romantics among us see shades of the cornered tigers in almost every tournament, but for once those comparisons may be genuine.

A miserable start followed by a do or die resurgence. Inspirational bowlers carrying a batting order rediscovering its mojo. Qualification against the odds, delivered by rain, luck, and other results. A left-arm fast bowler perfecting his art; lethal round the wicket. A young leg spinner seizing the world stage. A new international batsman, fearless and audacious. A low-key final group game to see Pakistan safely into the semi-finals. These are the welcome shadows of the past.

And the Adelaide Oval, a historic ground that has seen...