ICC World Cup 2019: Twitter Reacts As Pakistan Defeats New Zealand To Stay Afloat

Pakistan came with a collective performance to keep breathing in the tournament as they defeated New Zealand by six wickets. After an impressive bowling performance, Pakistan was able to come up with a fine batting show – with Babar Azam leading the way with a century. Earlier in the day, New Zealand skipper Kane Willaimson won the toss and decided to bat first in overcast conditions.

New Zealand batters soon found themselves at sea against the top bowling from Pakistan bowlers. Mohammad Amir drew first blood when Martin Guptill inside edge crashed into the wickets. Subsequently, Shaheen Afridi breathed down the neck of the Kiwis’ batters.

Shaheen Afridi was top class.

The southpaw seamer was able to get the better of Colin Munro, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham in quick succession. Munro played with no feet movement and edged the ball back to the keeper. Ross Taylor was brilliantly caught by Sarfaraz Ahmed who plucked the one-handed blinder. Tom Latham continued his dismal form going as he was too dismissed by Afridi.

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Shadab Khan was able to get the big fish in Kane Williamson when he turned the ball away the right-hander to take the edge. Hence, New Zealand had their backs against the wall as they were tottering at 83-5.

Babar Azam scored his maiden World Cup hundred.

However, James Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme were able to do rebuild the innings with their alliance of 132 runs for the sixth wicket partnership. Neesham scored an unbeaten 97 and Colin de Grandhomme scored 64 to give their team something to bowl at.

In reply, Pakistan lost two early wickets. However, the stand between Babar Azam and in-form Harris Sohail made sure that there no more hiccups on a pitch which was turning square. The southpaw batsman scored back to back half-centuries.

Azam became the second fastest to 3000 ODI runs and also completed his hundred to help his team get over the line.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Pakistan’s win:

Graeme Swann "If as a Pakistani cricketer you weren't lifted by the reaction of the crowd when Mohammad Amir took a wicket off his first ball, then you must be dead on the inside" #CWC19 #NZvPAK

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) June 26, 2019

Babar Azam batting flow pic.twitter.com/A1kyNkcfg6

— Abdul Ghaffar (@GhaffarDawnNews) June 26, 2019

Amir conceded 18 off an over – Pakistan’s most expensive over in this World Cup. Could turn out to be difference… #NZvPak

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 26, 2019

Babar Azam is Different World

— Abdul Ghaffar (@GhaffarDawnNews) June 26, 2019

Babar Azam is pure class. I'd be staggered if he ends this World Cup without at least one century. #NZvPAK #CWC19

— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) June 26, 2019

Babar Azam. All class.

Nz lacked second spinner and it eventually cost them the game.

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) June 26, 2019

Hafeez is so committed to the Batsman Who Bowl A Bit Union that he's got out to Aaron Finch, Aiden Markram and Kane Williamson in this World Cup. #CWC19 #NZvPak

— Patrick Noone (@PatrickNoone08) June 26, 2019

England fans checking the #NZvPAK scorecard…#CWC19 #bbccricket pic.twitter.com/dZS9J51D4N

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) June 26, 2019

Babar Azam 93* is the highest score by a non-opener Pakistan batsman in World Cups since 1987!! So the next time one of those supposed batting “greats” talk about Babar’s big match temperament, show them this.

— Rehan Ulhaq (@Rehan_ulhaq) June 26, 2019

Babar Azam’s cover drive pic.twitter.com/hWf0u7YPDk

— Rehan Ulhaq (@Rehan_ulhaq) June 26, 2019

Imran Khan must be livid that New Zealand's two Raillu Kattas are spoiling Pakistan's hard work. #NZvPAK #CWC19

— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) June 26, 2019

What a start from Pakistan ?? New Zealand ?? under the pump here . Everyone is chipping in body language is looking brilliant by the boys in green.

— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) June 26, 2019

What a player this Babar Azam is. Still coming of age and already, by some distance, Pakistan's best batsman. And the selection of Haris Sohail is a game-changer.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 26, 2019

Babar Azam becomes 2nd fastest to 3K ODI runs & fastest Asian (68 inns) only behind Amla (57 inngs), Babar also joint 2nd fastest to 2K & joint 3rd fastest to 1K ODI runs and fastest to 1K T20I runs. What talent! @babarazam258 #Cricket

— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) June 26, 2019

Only Pakistan can beat Pakistan from here….63 off 68 balls with 7 wickets in hand #CWC19 #PakvNZ

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 26, 2019

Not an easy wicket to bat on. Hear the noise. A huge roar for babar azam. Take a bow champ. @babarazam258#cwc19 #NZvPAK #PAKvNZ #WeHaveWeWill #babarazam

— Muhammad Qasim ?? (@realmqasim) June 26, 2019

If Latham hold on to that, I don't think Pak would have chased it. That Pitch needs class player like Babar. Btw, how good was that from Sohail. #PAKvNZ

— Prashi Relangi (@prashirelangi) June 26, 2019

Only one unbeaten team at this World Cup……..

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 26, 2019

Well played Babar Azam. Hopefully, it will shut up all your critics in Pakistan. What a player! Sheer joy to watch. Under pressure, he delivers again. Pakistan coming back in the way they know best. Well done. #BabarAzam

— Nitin Naik (@toi_nitinnayak) June 26, 2019

Pakistan ?? ?????????????? Babar ? all class??????????????@ICC

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) June 26, 2019

Now THIS Pakistan team is real dangerous #PakvsNZ

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) June 26, 2019

Top class century by Babar Azam, the kind even the batsman he acknowledges as his hero, @imVkohli, would have been proud to score. Well played!

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 26, 2019

Superb from Babar Azam. Real class and ability. Special player.

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) June 26, 2019

Babar Azam…super player. How did the Pakistan #3 batsman do in the 7th league game against New Zealand in 92? #Aisa92MeinBhiHuaTha #CWC19 #PakvNZ

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 26, 2019