ICC World Cup 2019 Match No 33 Played at Birmingham
Pakistan Vs New Zealand
Brief Scorecard: Pakistan 241/4 (Babar Azam 101*, Harris Sohail 68, Mohammad Hafiz 32) beat New Zealand 237/6 (JDS Neesham 97*, C de Grnadhomme 64, KS Williamson 41, Shahin Shah Afridi 3/28) by 6 wickets.
Player of the Match: Babar Azam
DHAKA: Playing all round brilliant cricket unpredictable Pakistan achieving an impressive 6 wickets win over New Zealand further intensifies battle for the semi final. With 7 points from 7 matches they are now at par with Bangladesh. Better run rate keeps Bangladesh marginally ahead of them. Pakistan has matches against Afghanistan and Bangladesh. On the other hand Bangladesh before appearing against Pakistan for the dogfight will have to play against India. New Zealand getting beaten for the first time in 7 matches is still not certain about its semi final berth. They have to win at least one of their matches against Australia and England.
Opting to bat under cloudy wicket and a bit sticky out field New Zealand had to struggle against high quality pace attack of Pakistan. Guptill was cleaned up in the second over by Amir. Young left arm pacer Shain Shah Afridi then struck crucial blows taking three wickets Munro, Taylor and Latham with his fast accurate bowling. From 4/56 in the 13th over New Zealand did not recover that much. Even though Neesham (97*) and Grandhomme (64) batted well 237/6 appeared at least 25-30 runs short of making it a winning score. Young Pakistani batsmen Babar Azam (1001*) and Harris Sohail (68) batted exceedingly well earning Pakistan a very important 3rd win in 7 matches. They now have a great opportunity for making it to the top four.
The situation is now so similar to 1992 world cup which Pakistan won. Then also New Zealand was looking impregnable till Pakistan beat them by 7 wickets almost from now where. Pakistan was not in the race till then. Two brilliant youngsters Inzmam ul Haq and Wasim Akram shined. This time also Pakistan win saw great contributions from Shahin Shah Afridi, Babar Azam and Harris Sohail. The unbeaten state of the Kiwis is gone.
The match was delayed a bit as the outfield from over night rain appeared a bit soggy. Mellow sun shine did not let the ground dry early. Kane Williamson perhaps made a risky decision of batting first under overcast sky and on a wicket retaining some moisture. Amir is too good a bowler to exploit the situation. He removed Guptill in his first over. Young Shahin Afridi from other end bowled exceedingly well pitching on the length and moving appreciably. Munro, Taylor and Latham were perished in no time. In form Williamson pairing with Neesham resurrected the innings briefly before Williamson also was removed by Shadab Khan. At 5/83 in the 27th over New Zealand fell well behind the run rate. Neesham and Grandhomme combined wel for a 132 6th wicket partnership. But 236/7 appeared a soft target for Pakistan as wicket dried and became flat when Pakistan came to bat. Afridi taking 3/28 in this 10 over spell was the main wrecker of Kiwi innings.
Pakistan also did not start well. Fakhar Zaman and Imam Ul Haque trying to be aggressive were consumed by Boult and Ferguson. Guptill took two lovely catches. But quality Pakistani batsman Babar Azam was looking in his pristine form. First Hafiz and then another bright youngster Harris Sohail gave him good company. The wicket was turning. But unfortunately New Zealand did not have a quality front line spinner. Babar Azam and Harris Sohail put together 126runs fourth wicket partnership winning the match by 6 wickets. Babar scored unbeaten 101 and Sohail scored impressive 68. Hafiz also contributed useful 32.
Pakistan may not find that much of a problem to overcome Afghan challenge before meeting Bangladesh. But Bangladesh will really have to play out of their skin to win against India before encountering Pakistan.
This world cup still appears to have more twists in the tail. With over two thirds gone no team other than Australia is sure at this stage for the semi final. Every match every day tilting the balance. It appears that few teams may end up on same points requiring net run rate for separating them. Rain ruining the four matches may ultimately proving a factor as well.
BDST: 0915 HRS, JUN 27, 2019
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