Pakistan registered a 5-wicket win over New Zealand in Sharjah on Tuesday. With two wins in two matches, the Men In Green have a shoe in the semi-final.
Chasing 135, Pakistan had a quiet start with both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan batting cautiously, before Tim Southee knocked over the Pakistan captain’s middle-stump in the sixth over. New Zealand were on top at the 6-over mark with Pakistan 30/1.
Ish Sodhi then struck with the wicket of Fakhar Zaman. Hafeez showed his intent straightaway thumping Neesham for a maximum before he was stunningly caught by Devon Conway at long-off.
Sodhi then got the better of Rizwan. Pakistan stuttered further in the chase when Imad Wasim, after hitting a boundary, was trapped lbw by Trent Boult as the required rate went over 9.
As the game seemed to slip away, Pakistan’s finishers stepped up. Asif Ali hammered Southee for two big ones before Shoaib Malik whacked a four and a six to Santner. Ali completed the chase with another maximum and a brace off Boult with 8 balls to spare.
Earlier, after being asked to bat first, New Zealand started slowly with occasional boundaries as Shaheen Afridi and Imad Wasim bowled tight overs. Daryl Mitchell and Marin Guptill then upped the ante taking 15 runs from Hasan Ali in the fifth over before Guptill was bowled by Haris Rauf. New Zealand ended the powerplay at 42/1.
Pakistan tightened screws after that with the wickets of Mitchell, who fell to Imad Wasim, and James Neesham, accounted for by Mohammad Hafeez, in quick succession as Kane Williamson took his time to get going.
After a couple of quiet overs, Williamson went after Hafeez, smacking the spinner for a four and a six and Devon Conway stroked three consecutive fours to Shadab Khan.
The acceleration was halted by a direct hit from Hasan Ali which caught Williamson short of his crease. With pressure building up, the Kiwi batters tried their best to hit, but Haris Rauf plucked three wickets in the death overs, restricting the opposition to a par total of 134.
Twitter was buzzing with Pakistan’s thrilling victory as they inch close to sealing a semi-final spot.
T20 World Cup 2021: Twitter Reacts As Pakistan Make Two In Two With A 5-Wicket Win Over New Zealand
Clinical performance by Pakistan yet again. They are looking determined in this tournament thus far.#T20WorldCup #PAKvNZ
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) October 26, 2021
Pakistan form team to beat at this stage.. momentum well and truly with them✅
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) October 26, 2021
Some atmosphere in Sharjah. Good crowds make a broadcast richer. Well played again Pakistan. Very impressive, especially (not exclusively) in that bowling unit.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) October 26, 2021
Pakistan are looking exceptional .. They will reach the Semis .. all other teams will will hope to avoid them & pray that whoever gets them knocks them out before the final .. Love watching them play Cricket .. #T20WorldCup #Pakistan
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 26, 2021
Malik one of the better players of spin in any conditions. Hardly sweeps wicket to wicket, instead uses his feet and hits straight. Always in control of where he wants to attack. #class
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) October 26, 2021
unbelievable bowling…looks like one of the dangerous bowling unit @76Shadabkhan @iShaheenAfridi @MHafeez22 @simadwasim @HarisRauf14 @RealHa55an 👏🏻👏🏻#PakvsNz #WCT20
— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) October 26, 2021
Two games, two impressive wins 🙌
How are we feeling, #Pakistan fans?#PAKvNZ | #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/rDdwrLqNun
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 26, 2021
Congratulations team 🇵🇰 . Love to watch the way our bowlers bowled @iShaheenAfridi @HarisRauf14 @76Shadabkhan @simadwasim .keep it up boys💪 #ICCT20WC2021
— Umar Gul (@mdk_gul) October 26, 2021
🔥 Game 1 – Beat India by 10 wickets
🔥 Game 2 – Beat New Zealand by 5 wicketsWhat a start to Babar Azam and Pakistan's #T20WorldCup campaign 🙌#PAKvNZ 👉 https://t.co/8gh6I3puyK pic.twitter.com/jHWWWO9U8v
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 26, 2021
Many have been criticising Asif Ali’s selection in the https://t.co/BRVQiDQSWu me he is a game changer.Another clinical performance from PAK takes them to semifinal.Well well well india nzl will be a quarter finals and that too both the teams will be only playing their 2nd match
— Prasanna (@prasannalara) October 26, 2021
Haris rauf 😍🥰😍🥰
— Sohaib Maqsood (@sohaibcricketer) October 26, 2021
India will be playing a virtual knockout game against New Zealand on Sunday. India last defeated New Zealand in an ICC event in 2003. It's time to give your best, India.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 26, 2021
Once again a virtual knockout game vs New Zealand in an ICC tournament. pic.twitter.com/fTg22Fuymv
— Manya (@CSKian716) October 26, 2021
— Monika (@Lostt_Soulll) October 26, 2021
Pakistan have started the World Cup like a runaway train.
Two wins against India and New Zealand, and according to CricViz's models, they have an 82% chance of reaching the semi-finals…and a 21% chance of winning the whole thing, making them favourites.#T20WorldCup #PAKvNZ
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) October 26, 2021
Malik made his Pakistan debut at Sharjah in 1999 and 22 years later in the same venue, he scored 26*(20) against New Zealand when the team was under pressure in the run chase.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 26, 2021