T20 World Cup: That’s two in a row for Pakistan

Asif Ali in full flow against NZ yesterday. (right) Haris Rauf celebrates the wicket of New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips. Pics/Getty Images

Pakistan were neither on fire, nor as dominant as against India last Sunday. But they did just enough to pip New Zealand by five wickets with eight balls to spare to register their second win in the T20 World Cup at the Sharjah Stadium. Having defeated the two top challengers in the group, and despite T20 being an unpredictable format, one can assume they are well placed to gain a semi-final berth, with easier matches against Namibia, Scotland and Afghanistan to follow.

Tuesday's result has made India's Sunday match against New Zealand very crucial and may well hold the key to the other semi-final berth from the group.

Haris Rauf's four-wicket haul helped Pakistan restrict New Zealand to 134-8. He had dismissed Martin Guptill, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips and Santner to register figures of 4-22. But Haris's biggest contribution was the brilliant run out of Williamson on the follow-through just when the Kiwis captain was threatening to let loose. It was Haris's effort the ensured Pakistan did not have to chase a bigger target.

Once again the Pakistanis bowled well as a unit and allowed New Zealand only 134-8, which was well below par even on the low and slow pitch. But the Kiwis are not a team to let the opposition walk away easily. Kane Williamson not for the first time marshalled his resources well to choke the Pakistani batsmen. They got Babar Azam early and made regular inroads to keep the Pakistan fans on tenterhooks right through.

Backed up by some brilliant fielding and catching the Kiwis kept up the pressure and as Pakistan kept on losing wickets, things became very tight in the end.
At that stage it was anybody's game and it required the experience of Shoaib Malik (26 not out) and big hitting by Asif Ali (27 not out) to turn the match their way with an unbeaten partnership of 48-run partnership, much to the delight of the Pakistani fans at the stadium.

Brief scores
NZ 134-8 in 20 overs (D Mitchell 27, D Conway 27; H Rauf 4-22) lost to Pakistan 135-5 in 18.4 overs (M Rizwan 33, A Ali 27', S Malik 26'; I Sodhi 2-28) by five wickets

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