Pakistan maintain winning momentum with victory over New Zealand: T20 World Cup

SHARJAH:– Thanks to a late flourish from Asif Ali and Shoaib Malik, Pakistan on Tuesday crushed New Zealand by 5 wickets to pick up their second straight win in the Super 12 stage of the Twenty20 World Cup.

With this win, the Babar Azam-led side moved to the top of Group B with two wins from as many games. Chasing a target of 135, Pakistan won the game with 8 balls to spare.

Earlier, Haris Rauf s four-wicket haul had restricted New Zealand to a total of 134/8.

For New Zealand, Daryl Mitchell and Devon Conway had scored 27 each while skipper Kane Williamson contributed with a sluggish 26-ball 25. Tim Southee gave New Zealand the first breakthrough as he dismissed Babar Azam in the final over of the powerplay.

Fakhar Zaman, after scoring a six, was trapped lbw. Hafeez showed some promise, hitting a six as well a few overs later. However, he was dismissed off a superb catch from Conway off Santner s delivery.

A few deliveries later, Sodhi struck again for New Zealand, trapping Rizwan lbw. Rizwan walked off, not reviewing the decision.

After struggling against the Black Caps, Asif Ali hit two pressure-relieving sixes to give the Men in Green the upper hand against New Zealand.

Playing first, New Zealand set 135 runs target for Pakistan after Men in Green won the toss and opted to bat first against New Zealand.

Squad

Pakistan: Babar Azam (capt.), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, Kane Williamson (capt.), Tim Seifert (wk), Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Ish Sodhi.