After posting a mammoth total of 180-5, New Zealand restricted Pakistan to 158-8 beating them by 22 runs to cement their place in the semi-finals of World Twenty20 on Tuesday.
Despite blazing start by openers Sharjeel Khan and Ahmed Shahzad, who scored 47 (25) and 30 (32) respectively, others failed to capitalize on the launching pad provided by the two.
Khalid Latif made 3, Umar Akmal 24, captain Shahid Afridi 19, Shoaib Malik 15 and Sarfraz Ahmed 11 for Pakistan.
Santner and Milne grabbed two wickets each while Sodhi took the other one for the Black Caps.
Earlier, New Zealand’s in-form opener Martin Guptill smashed 80 runs off just 48 balls to lift his side to 180-5 in a crucial World Twenty20 Super 10 encounter against Pakistan here on Tuesday.
The Kiwi opener hit 10 fours and 3 sixes in his fiery innings. He was given the ‘man of the match award’ for his brilliant performance.
Experienced campaigner Ross Taylor also rose to the occasion and played an unbeaten cameo of 36 runs off just 23 balls with 2 fours and a six to finish off the Black Caps innings in style.
Corey Anderson 21 (14) and skipper Kane Williamson 17 runs off 21 deliveries also contributed to the team total.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Sami and captain Afridi grabbed two wickets for 23 and 40 respectively while Irfan got the other wicket for 46 runs.
Williamson had won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan earlier in the evening.
Speaking at the toss, Williamson said: “Looks pretty good [pitch], a bit of grass but dry underneath. Looks a different surface so we have to adapt again.” He said the Kiwis side was unchanged today after winning the first two matches.
“We have a bunch of guys playing for a common cause, hopefully we can put a bit of pressure in the second innings.”
Pakistan skipper Afridi on the other hand said: “Fresh surface, will be a little hard as well. Chances to take some early wickets.”
“I just relax these guys, we have to focus on what we are doing, that is the main thing,” he said.
Afridi said two changes have been made in the playing eleven as Khalid Latif and Imad Wasim replace injured Mohammad Hafeez and Wahab Riaz.
“Last game is history and this is an important game for us. Two changes, Hafeez and Riaz are not fit but Khalid Latif and Imad Wasim are in.”
The defeat will further fan criticism the team is facing from fans back home as they are becoming more and more hostile following each Pakistani defeat. The officials are preparing a guillotine not just for skipper Afridi but for most of the team’s under-performing players.
Following the team’s dismal performance against India last week, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shahryar Khan had said T20 captain Shahid Afridi will retire after the conclusion of ongoing World T20 in India.
Teams:
New Zealand: MJ Guptill, KS Williamson (c), C Munro, CJ Anderson, LRPL Taylor, GD Elliott, MJ Santner, L Ronchi, AF Milne, MJ McClenaghan, IS Sodhi
Pakistan: Ahmed Shehzad, Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi (c), Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Irfan
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