ICC T20 World Cup | Pakistan vs New Zealand highlights: PAK win by 5 wickets

Pakistan will have "revenge" on their mind for a recent off-field snub when they take on New Zealand in the T20 World Cup, looking to build on the historic high of beating arch-rivals India in their tournament-opener.

With two wins from two matches, Pakistan have have now emerged as one of the firm favourites to qualify for the semifinal. They almost have their one leg in the semifinal. The other teams from Group 2 will now scrape for the second spot in semifinal reserved for this group. Pakistan's win also means that India's match against New Zealand this Sunday is a virtual knock-out. The winner will survive and the loser will find it tough to qualify for the semifinal.

With that being said, it is time to say goodbye! Join us tomorrow. Good night!

Captain quotes from post match presentation

Kane Williamson, New Zealand captain:It is very disappointing. We were optimistic at the halfway stage. It was going to be really tough, we were a boundary or two at being above par. There were small margins, but we couldn't nail it at the back end. Credit to Pakistan, they are a strong side and were very smart. I thought our bowlers were outstanding for 80% of the game. Quite tough to swallow. We were going into the second half, but this is a very good Pakistani side and are a team to watch. It is a game of small margins, we go to a different venue against India. We will have conversations and play accordingly. There were a few good decisions, but there are very small margins in these low-scoring games.

Babar Azam, Pakistan captain:Feels great to win and we'll look to carry forward the confidence. The spinners started off brilliantly, and Haris and Shaheen carried it through. I would like to compliment our fielding, that has carried us through here. I thought we gave 10 runs too many. But this cricket and it happens. While batting, there were wickets early on and we needed a partnership. Malik showed experience and Asif Ali contributed too. Every match is crucial. There is no easy match. We'll look to play it day by day and game by game.

Player of the Match

Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf wins the Player of the Match award for his spell of 4/22.

Haris Rauf:I am happy with the performance, thanks to the team, the fielding unit, the support staff and the fans for all the support they've given us. There's competition in the bowling unit, we talk with each other, assess the conditions and we do get confidence from each other. The wicket of Guptill in the powerplay was the best amongst the four wickets. Thankful to everyone, keep supporting us right through.

Result

Pakistan win by 5 wickets.

PAK 135/5 after 18.4 overs.

Boult to bowl the nineteenth over.

18.1Boult to Malik, 1 run, full ball on off stump, Mailk guides the ball down to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Ali is struggling with a knock earlier from delivery by Southee! The PAK physio is out and checking Ali. Ali looks fine to continue.

18.2Boult to Ali, no run, full ball on middle and leg, the ball raps on the pads and goes to cover.

18.3Boult to Ali, SIX! Short ball on off stump, Ali rocks back and plays a short-arm jab to send the ball just over the man at long-on.

18.4Boult to Ali, FOUR! BACK TO BACK WINS FOR PAK! Full toss wide of off stump, Ali pumps the ball through cover and gets two runs to Pakistan home.

PAK 126/5 after 18 overs.

Santner to bowl the eighteenth over.

17.1Santner to Malik, FOUR! Short ball on off stump, Malik plays a late cut through backward point for a boundary.

17.2Santner to Malik, 2 runs, short ball on middle and leg, Malik tucks the ball down to deep mid-wicket for runs.

17.3Santner to Malik, SIX! HIGH AND HANDSOME! Full ball, Malik steps down and powers the ball straight down the ground for fa maximum!!!!

17.4Santner to Malik, 1 run, full ball on middle stump, Malik works the ball for a single.

17.5Santner to Ali, 2 runs, good length ball on middle stump, Ali guides the ball to deep mid-wicket for two runs.

17.6Santner to Ali, no run, full ball on off stump, Ali plays the ball to cover.

PAK 111/5 after 17 overs.

Southee to bowl the seventeenth over.

16.1Southee to Malik, 1 run, slow full ball wide of off stump, Malik drives the ball for a single.

16.2Southee to Ali, SIX! BANG! Half-volley, Ali swings his bat and tonks the ball over long-off for a maximum!

16.3Southee to Ali, SIX! THE CROWD HAS COME ALIVE AT SHARJAH! Short slow ball, Ali rocks back and hammers the ball over long-on for another maximum!!!!

16.4Southee to Ali, no run, an appeal for LBW! Good length ball on middle and leg, Ali is early into his pull shot and the ball raps on the back pad, the umpire gives that as not out, Williamson reviews and the review shows that the ball is missing the stumps.

16.5Southee to Ali, no run, slow good length ball on off stump, a swing and a miss from Ali.

16.6Southee to Ali, no run, short ball on off stump, Ali is early in his pull shot and the ball hits flush on the helmet. Ali is shaken up!

PAK 98/5 after 16 overs.

Ish Sodhi to bowl the sixteenth over.

15.1Ish Sodhi to Malik, 1 run, full and straight, Malik works the ball down to long-on for a single.

15.2Ish Sodhi to Ali, 1 run, good length ball, Ali tucks the ball to point for a run.

15.3Ish Sodhi to Malik, no run, full ball wide of off stump, Malik steps out and drives the ball to cover.

15.4Ish Sodhi to Malik, no run, full ball on middle and leg, Malik looks to sweep but the ball raps on the pads.

15.5Ish Sodhi to Malik, FOUR! Full ball on middle and leg, Malik steps out and pumps the ball down the ground for a boundary.

15.6Ish Sodhi to Malik, 1 Leg Bye, full ball, the ball raps on the pads, Malik steals a single.

PAK 915 after 15 overs.

Boult to bowl the fifteenth over.

14.1 Boult to Malik, no run, fullish ball wide of off stump, Malik drives the ball away from his body and the ball rolls to the fielder at mid-off.

14.2Boult to Malik, 1 run, short ball on off stump, Malik plays a deft cut to the fielder at short third-man for a single.

14.3Boult to Imad, no run, full ball on leg stump, Imad attempts a switch hit but fails to connect.

14.4Boult to Imad, FOUR! STAND AND DELIVER! Slow short ball wide of off stump, Imad makes room and clobbers the ball over the man at mid-off for a boundary.

14.5Boult to Imad, WICKET! LBW! BOULT STRIKES BACK! Full ball fired into the toes, the ball hits the toes and Boult appeals and the umpire agrees with Boult's appeals, Imad is hurt and he decides to not take the review and hobbles off the field.

Imad Wasim lbw b Boult 11(12)

Asif Ali walks out to bat.

14.6Boult to Ali, FOUR! GOOD SHOT TO OPEN THE INNINGS! Good length ball around off, Ali works the ball through backward point for a boundary.

PAK 75/4 after 13 overs.

Jimmy Neesham to bowl the thirteenth over.

12.1Jimmy Neesham to Imad, 2 runs, slow full ball on off stump, Imad hammers the ball down to long-off for two runs.

12.2Jimmy Neesham to Imad, 1 run, full ball wide of off stump, Imad drives the ball through cover for a single.

12.3Jimmy Neesham to Malik, no run, full ball on middle and leg, Malik drives the ball down to mid-on.

12.4Jimmy Neesham to Malik, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Malik drives the ball to cover for a single.

12.5Jimmy Neesham to Imad, no run, good length ball on middle and leg, the ball brushes the pads and goes to the keeper.

12.6Jimmy Neesham to Imad, 1 run, full ball wide of off stump, Imad thumps the ball to mid-off for a single.

PAK 70/4 after 12 overs.

Ish Sodhi to bowl the twelfth over.

11.1Ish Sodhi to Malik, no run, full ball ion middle, Malik pushes the ball back to Sodhi.

11.2Ish Sodhi to Malik, 1 run, short ball on off stump, Malik plays the ball to point for a single.

11.3Ish Sodhi to Rizwan, FOUR! Short ball on middle and leg, Rizwan rocks back and hits the ball down to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

11.3Ish Sodhi to Rizwan, WIDE! Full ball bowled wide of off stump.

11.4Ish Sodhi to Rizwan, WICKET! LBW! Good length ball on middle and leg, Rizwan fails to hit the ball and the ball raps on the pads, Sodhi appeals and the umpire agrees with the bowler, Rizwan doesn't take the review and decides to walk, big blow for PAK!

Rizwan lbw b Ish Sodhi 33(34)

Imad Wasim walks out to bat.

11.5Ish Sodhi to Imad, no run, full ball on middle stump, Imad tucks the ball to the leg side.

11.6Ish Sodhi to Imad, 1 Leg Bye, full ball on leg stump, the ball raps on the pads and goes to the leg side, Imad takes a single.

PAK 63/3 after 11 overs.

Santner to bowl the eleventh over.

10.1Santner to Rizwan, 1 run, full ball on off stump, Rizwan pushes the ball to cover and hustles for a single.

10.2Santner to Hafeez, 1 run, good length ball on middle and leg, Hafeez nudges the ball behind square on the leg side for a single.

10.3Santner to Rizwan, 1 run, full ball on middle and leg, Rizwan slog sweeps the ball for a single.

10.4Santner to Hafeez, 1 run, back of the length ball on off stump, Hafeez punches the ball off his backfoot and guides the ball down to long-off for a run.

10.5Santner to Rizwan, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Rizwan nudges the ball through backward point for a single.

10.6Santner to Hafeez, WICKET! CAUGHT! WHAT A STUNNING CATCH! Full ball wide of off stump, Hafeez steps out and hammers the ball down to long-off, Conway runs in and throws himself and pulls off a great catch out of thin air!!!!!

Hafeez c Conway b Santner 11(6)

PAK 58/2 after 10 overs.

Jimmy Neesham to bowl the tenth over. Mohammed Hafeez is the new batter in teh middle.

9.1Jimmy Neesham to Rizwan, no run, slow good length ball on off stump, the ball cuts back in and zips past the edge of the bat.

9.2Jimmy Neesham to Rizwan, 1 run, full ball on off and middle, Rizwan works the ball to square-leg for a single.

9.3Jimmy Neesham to Hafeez, SIX! THAT IS SOME WAY TO GET OFF THE MARK! Full ball wide of off stump, Hafeez swings his bat and hammers the ball over cover for a maximum!!!!

9.4Jimmy Neesham to Hafeez, 1 run, good length ball on middle and leg, Hafeez drives the ball down to long-on for a single.

9.5Jimmy Neesham to Rizwan, 1 run, good length ball on middle stump, Rizwan nudges the ball to square-leg for a single.

9.6Jimmy Neesham to Hafeez, 1 run, full ball on middle stump, Hafeez chips the ball down to deep mid-wicket for a single.

PAK 47/2 after 9 overs.

Ish Sodhi to bowl the ninth over.

8.1Ish Sodhi to Fakhar, no run,

8.2Ish Sodhi to Fakhar, no run, full ball on off stump, Fakhar plays a reverse sweep and the ball rolls to the fileder at short fine.

8.3Ish Sodhi to Fakhar, SIX! OUT OF THE GROUND! Full ball on off stump, Fakhar goes on one knee and slog sweeps the ball to tonk the ball over the roof of the stands toward deep mid-wicket region.

8.4Ish Sodhi to Fakhar, 1 run, good length ball. Fakhar plays the ball for a single.

8.5Ish Sodhi to Rizwan, 1 run, full ball on off stump, Rizwan drives the ball down to long-off for a single.

8.6Ish Sodhi to Fakhar, WICKET! LBW! Good length ball on off and middle, Fakhar stays on his backfoot and he looks to defend, the ball raps on the pads as Sodhi appeals, the umpire gives that as NOT OUT, but Williamson takes the review and the review shows three red dots, Fakhar has to walk back!!!!!

Fakhar Zaman lbw b Ish Sodhi 11(17)

PAK 39/1 after 8 overs.

Jimmy Neesham to bowl the eighth over.

7.1 Jimmy Neesham to Fakhar, 1 run, short ball on middle and leg, Fakhar guides the ball down to fine-leg for a single.

7.2Jimmy Neesham to Rizwan, 1 Leg Bye, slow full ball on middle and leg, the ball hits the pads and goes to the leg side, Rizwan steals a single.

7.3Jimmy Neesham to Fakhar, no run, full ball fired on the leg stump, Fakhar steps out to whack the ball on the leg side but fails to connect and the ball flies to the keeper.

7.4Jimmy Neesham to Fakhar, no run, slow full ball tad wide of off stump, Fakhar drives the ball to the fielder at cover.

7.5Jimmy Neesham to Fakhar, no run, slow full ball tad wide of off stump, a swing and a miss from Fakhar.

7.6Jimmy Neesham to Fakhar, 1 run, full ball on off stump, Fakhar thumps the ball down to long-on for a single.

PAK 37/1 after 7 overs.

Santer to bowl the seventh over.

6.1Santer to Rizwan, no run, full ball on middle stump, Rizwan plays the ball back to Santner with soft hands.

6.2Santer toRizwan, FOUR!! Full ball on middle and leg, Rizwan sweeps the ball down to fine-leg for a boundary.

6.3Santer toRizwan, 1 run, full ball on leg stump, Rizwan tucks the ball down to deep mid-wicket for a single.

6.4Santer to Fakhar, no run, good length ball wide of off stump, Fakhar pushes the ball to cover.

6.5Santer to Fakhar, no run, full ball wide of off stump, Fakhar pushes the ball again to cover.

6.6Santer to Fakhar, 1 run, full ball on middle and leg, Fakhar plays the ball to square-leg for a run.

PAK 30/1 after 6 overs.

Tim Southee to bowl the sixth over.

5.1 Southee to Babar, WICKET! CLEAN BOWLED! THERE IS A DEATHLY SILENCE ALL AROUND THE GROUND! Full ball bowled on off and middle, Babar goes for a wild slog but fails to connect and the ball hits the stumps.

Babar Azam b Southee 9(11)

Fakhar Zaman walks out to bat.

5.2 Southee to Fakhar, 1 run, full ball on off stump, Fakhar drives the ball down to mid-off for a single.

5.3Southee to Rizwan, 1 run, short ball on middle stump, Rizwan guides the ball to square-leg for a single.

5.4Southee to Fakhar, no run, good length ball wide of off stump, a swing and a miss from Fakhar.

5.5Southee to Fakhar, no run, full ball into the pads, the ball raps on the pads and goes to the keeper.

5.6Southee to Fakhar, no run, good length ball wide of off stump, Fakhar punches the ball to the fielder at cover.

PAK 28/0 after 5 overs.

Boult to bowl the fifth over.

4.1Boult to Rizwan, FOUR! Good length ball on off stump, Rizwan plays a late cut to guide the ball through deep backward for a boundary.

4.2Boult to Rizwan, no run, slow good length ball on off stump, the ball raps on the pads.

4.3Boult to Rizwan, no run, good length ball on middle stump, Rizwan plays the ball to the leg side.

4.4Boult to Rizwan, 1 run, short ball on off stump, Rizwan pulls the ball behind square on the leg side for a single.

4.5Boult to Babar, no run, full ball tad wide of off stump, Babar hits the ball back to Boult.

4.6Boult to Babar, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Babar plays the ball away from his body and the ball rolls to mid-off as Babar takes a single.

PAK 22/0 after 4 overs.

Southee to bowl the fourth over.

3.1Southee to Babar, no run, good length ball on off stump, Babar works the ball around the coner.

3.2Southee to Babar, 1 run, short ball on off stump, Babar pulls the ball to square-leg for a single.

3.3Southee to Rizwan, no run, full ball on middle stump, Rizwan works the ball to Guptill at short mid-wicket.

3.4Southee to Rizwan, FOUR! Short ball on middle and leg, Rizwan plays a half sweep, half pull and guides the balll down to fine-leg for a boundary.

3.5Southee to Rizwan, 1 run, short ball on middle stump, Rizwan plays the ball to square-leg for a single.

3.6Southee to Babar, 2 runs, good length ball on off stump, Babar whacks the ball down to deep mid-wicket for two runs.

PAK 14/0 after 3 overs.

Trent Boult to bowl the third over.

2.1 Trent Boult to Rizwan, FOUR! Good length ball on off stump, Rizwan cracks the ball to square-leg for a boundary.

2.2 Trent Boult to Rizwan, no run, full ball wide of off stump, Rizwan drives the ball to mid-off.

2.2 Trent Boult to Rizwan, WIDE! Short ball fired down the leg side.

2.3 Trent Boult to Rizwan, no run, full ball around off stump, Rizwan drives the ball to the off side.

2.4 Trent Boult to Rizwan, no run, good length ball on off stump, Rizwan hits the ball to backward point.

2.5 Trent Boult to Rizwan, no run, short ball on middle and leg, Rizwan looks to play the ball to the leg side, the ball raps on the pads and goes to the keeper.

2.6 Trent Boult to Rizwan, no run, back of the length ball on middle stump, Rizwan is early in his shot and the ball hits Rizwan on the body.

Welcome back for the second half of the chase. The players and the umpires are back on the field. Pakistan's chase is about to get underway.

PAK 134/8 after 20 overs.

Haris Rauf to bowl the last over.

19.1Haris Rauf to Sodhi. 1 run, full ball on off stump, Sodhi plays the ball down to third-man for a single.

19.2Haris Rauf to Santer, 2 runs, full ball on off stump, Santer plays the ball on the up to mid-off, Babar drops the ball and Santer takes two runs.

19.3Haris Rauf to Santer, 1 Leg Bye, slow good length ball on off stump, a swing and a miss from Santer but Santer takes a single.

19.4Haris Rauf to Sodhi. 1 run, good length ball wide of off stump, Sodhi slaps the ball through cover for a single.

19.5Haris Rauf to Santer, FOUR! Full ball wide of off stump, Santner makes room and smashes the ball through cover for a boundary.

19.6Haris Rauf to Santer, WICKET! CLEAN BOWLED! Slow good length ball on off stump, Santer is early into his slog and misses the ball completely and the ball clatters on to the off stump.

NZ125/7 after 19 overs.

Shaheen Shah Afridi to bowl the ninteenth over.

18.1Shaheen Shah Afridi to Seifert, no run, slow good length ball tad wide of off stump, Seifert looks for a wild slog but a swing and a miss from Seifert.

18.2Shaheen Shah Afridi to Seifert, no run, yorker on middle and leg, the ball hits Seifert on the toe, Afridi appeals for LBW but the umpire is not interested, PAK take review, the review shows that the ball is pitching outside the leg stump, so the call remains as NOT OUT!

18.3Shaheen Shah Afridi to Seifert, 1 run, slow full ball on middle and leg, Seifert slogs the ball down to deep mid-wicket for a single.

18.4Shaheen Shah Afridi to Santner, 1 Leg Bye, full ball on middle and leg, the ball hits Santer's foot and goes to the leg side, Afridi again appeals for a LBW but the umpire is not interested yet again and Santner takes a single.

18.5Shaheen Shah Afridi to Seifert, FOUR! Full ball on middle and leg, Seifert plays a sweep scoop down to fine-leg for a boundary.

18.6Shaheen Shah Afridi to Seifert, WICKET! CAUGHT! Slow full ball on middle and leg, Seifert goes for a slog, the ball takes the toe end of the bat and lobs to the man at point.

Seifert c Hafeez b Shaheen Afridi 8(8)

NZ 119/6 after 18 overs.

Haris Rauf to bowl the eighteenth over.

17.1Haris Rauf to Conway, WICKET! CAUGHT! Slow full ball wide of off stump, Conway slogs the ball but the ball comes from the toe end of the bat and flies straight down the throat of Babar Azam at deep mid-wicket.

Conway c Babar Azam b Haris Rauf 27(24)

Time Seifert walks out to bat.

17.2Haris Rauf to Phillips, no run good length ball on off stump, the ball comes back in and beats the edge of the bat.

17.3Haris Rauf to Phillips, WICKET! SECOND WICKET OF THE OVER!!!!! RAUF IS DELIGHTED! Good length ball on off stump, Phillips plays a shot and the ball flies straight to the fielder at deep mid-wicket.

Glenn Phillips c Hasan Ali b Haris Rauf 13(15)

Mitchell Santer walks out to bat.

17.4Haris Rauf to Seifert, 2 runs, good length ball on middle and leg, Seifert works the ball to square-leg for two runs.

17.5Haris Rauf to Seifert, no run, good length ball aimed on off and middle, Seifert goes back and blocks the ball.

17.6Haris Rauf to Seifert, 1 run, full ball on off stump, Seifert drives the ball down to long-on for a single.

NZ 116/4 after 17 overs.

Shaheen Afridi to bowl the seventeenth over.

16.1Shaheen Afridi to COnway, 1 run, full ball on middle and leg, Conway works the ball down to deep mid-wicket for a single.

16.2Shaheen Afridi to Phillips, 1 Leg Bye, full ball on middle and leg, Phillips looks to play the ball on the leg side, the ball raps on the pads and goes to the leg side, Phillips steals a single.

16.3Shaheen Afridi to Conway, 1 ru, full toss on off stump, Conway hits the ball to square-leg for a single.

16.4Shaheen Afridi to Phillips, 1 run, full ball on the pads, Phillips whacks the ball to backward square-leg for a single.

16.5Shaheen Afridi to Conway, 1 run, yorker wide of off stump, Conway gets a thick inside edge and the ball rolls down to the fielder at short fine, Conway takes a single.

16.6Shaheen Afridi to Phillips, FOUR! Good length ball on off stump, Phillips powers the ball down the groud for a boundary.

NZ 107/4 after 16 overs.

Hasan Ali to bowl the sixteenth over.

15.1 Hasan Ali to Conway, 1 run, full ball on off stump, Conway drives the ball down to long-on for a single.

15.2Hasan Ali to Phillips, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Phillips hammers the ball down to long-on for a single.

15.3Hasan Ali to Conway, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Conway drives the ball through cover for a single.

15.4Hasan Ali to Phillips, 1 run, full toss on off stump, Phillips drills the ball down to long-on for another single.

15.5Hasan Ali to Conway, 1 run, full ball on middle and leg, Conway works the ball to square-leg for a single.

15.6Hasan Ali to Phillips, 2 runs, good length ball on off stump, Phillips nudges the ball down the ground for two runs.

NZ 100/4 after 15 overs.

Haris Rauf to bowl the fifteenth over.

14.1Haris Rauf to Conway, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Conway guides the ball down to deep mid-wicket for a single.

14.2Haris Rauf to Philips,1 run, yorker on off stump, Philips plays the ball down to deep mid-wicket for another single.

14.3Haris Rauf to Conway, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Conway turns the ball down to square-leg and steals a single.

14.4Haris Rauf to Philips, 1 run, slow ball on hard length around off, Philips plays the ball down to mid-on for a single.

14.5Haris Rauf to Conway, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Conway guides the ball to the leg side for the fifth single of the over.

14.6Haris Rauf to Phillips, no run, good length ball on off stump, a swing and a miss from Phillips.

NZ 95/4 after 14 overs.

Hasan Ali to bowl the fourteenth over.

13.1Hasan Ali to Williamson, WICKET! RUN OUT! BIG BLOW FOR NEW ZEALAND! Good length ball on off stump, Williamson hits the ball back in the direction of Hasan Ali, Williamson wants to take a single but Conway turns down the offer, Willamson is halfway down the track and Hasan Ali gets a direct hit!

Williamson run out (Hasan Ali) 25(26)

Glenn Phillips walks out to bat.

13.2Hasan Ali to Phillips, no run, good length ball on off stump, Phillips leans and defends the ball.

13.3Hasan Ali to Phillip, no run, good length ball on leg stump, the ball raps on the pads and goes to the leg side, Hasan appeals but the umpire is not interested.

13.4Hasan Ali to Phillips, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Phillips plays the ball for a single.

13.4 Hasan Ali to Conway, 1 run, good length ball on middle and leg, Conway guides the ball to the leg side for a single.

IT IS A NO BALL!

FREE HIT!

13.5Hasan Ali to Philips, 1 run, short ball on off stump, Philips plays the ball to square-leg for a single.

13.6Hasan Ali to Conway, 1 run, full ball on leg stump, Conway nudges the ball to mid-wicket for another single.

NZ 90/3 after 13 overs.

Shadab Khan to bowl the thirteenth over.

12.1Shadab Khan to Williamson, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Williamson tucks the ball to third-man for a single.

12.2Shadab Khan to Conway, no run, good length ball on off stump, Conway plays the ball to point.

12.3Shadab Khan to Conway, 2 runs, good length ball on middle and leg, Conway works the ball down to deep mid-wicket for two runs.

12.4Shadab Khan to Conway, FOUR! Fuller ball on middle and leg , Conway slog sweeps the ball behind square on the leg side for a boundary.

12.5Shadab Khan to Conway, FOUR MOR!Full ball on middle stump, Conway slogs the ball once more and this time the ball rolls to square-leg for a boundary.

12.6Shadab Khan to Conway, FOUR! 3 in 3!Good length ball on off stump, Conway plays a reverse sweep for the third boundary of the over.

NZ 75/3 after 12 overs.

Mohammed Hafeez to bowl the twelfth over.

11.1

11.2Mohammed Hafeez to Conway, 1 run, full ball into the pads, Conway sweeps the ball to the fielder at short fine for a single.

11.3Mohammed Hafeez to Williamson, an appeal for LBW and GIVEN! Good length ball on middle stump, Williamson looks for reverse/switch hit but fails to connect, the ball raps on the pads and Hafeez appeals, the umpire gives that as OUT but Williamson takes the review and the review shows that there wan an edge, so Williamson survives.

11.4Mohammed Hafeez to Williamson, FOUR! Short ball on middle and leg,Williamson pulls the ball down to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

11.5Mohammed Hafeez to Williamson, SIX! Full ball on middle and leg, Williamson charges down the track and plays a one-handed slog and the ball clears long-on fence for a maximum!!!!!

11.6Mohammed Hafeez to Williamson, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Williamson tucks the ball to point for a single.

NZ 63/1 after 11 overs.

Shadab Khan to bowl the eleventh over.

10.1Shadab Khan to Conway, no run, full ball on off stump, Conway plays a reverse sweep but the ball rolls to the man at short fine.

10.2Shadab Khan to Conway, 1 run, full ball on leg stump, Conway tucks the ball to short fine for a single.

10.3Shadab Khan to Williamson, no run, good length ball on off stump, Williamson leans to defend but, the ball spins and zips past the edge of the bat.

10.4Shadab Khan to Williamson, 1 run, full ball on middle, Williamson sweeps the ball for a single.

10.5Shadab Khan to Conway, no run, full ball on off stump, Conway works the ball to the leg side.

10.6Shadab Khan to Conway, 1 Leg Bye, full ball on leg stump, Conway looks for a sweep, the ball raps on the pads and goes to the leg side, Conway steals a single.

NZ 60/3 after 10 overs.

Mohammed Hafeez to bowl the tenth over.

9.1Mohammed Hafeez to Neeshan, WICKET! CAUGHT! HAFEEZ STRIKES ON HIS FIRST DELIVERY! Full ball on middle stump, Neesham brings his front leg forward and slogs the ball to square-leg, the ball flies to square-leg and the ball in deep takes an easy catch.

Neesham c Fakhar Zaman b Hafeez 1(2)

9.2Mohammed Hafeez to Williamson, 2 runs, good length ball on off stump, Williamson slaps the ball through cover for two runs.

9.3Mohammed Hafeez to Williamson, no run, full ball on off stump, Williamson blocks the ball with soft hands.

9.4Mohammed Hafeez to Williamson, 1 run, full ball on middle and leg, Williamson drives the ball down to long-on for a single.

9.5Mohammed Hafeez to Conway, 1 run, good length ball on middle stump, Conway guides the ball to the leg side for a single.

9.6Mohammed Hafeez to Williamson, no run, back of the length ball on middle and leg, Williamson comes out of the crease and pushes the ball back to Hagfeez.

NZ 56/2 after 9 overs.

Imad Wasim to bowl the ninth over.

8.1Imad Wasim to Mitchell, SIX! Full ball wide of off stump, Mitchell hammers the ball down to long-off for a maximum!!!!

8.2Imad Wasim to Mitchell, WICKET! CAUGHT! Full ball on middle and leg, Mitchell slogs, the ball has not been timed well and the ball flies straight to the man at long-on.

Daryl Mitchell c Fakhar Zaman b Imad Wasim 27(20)

Jimmy Neesham walks out to bat.

8.3Imad Wasim to Williamson, no run, good length ball on off stump, Williamson makes room and plays a late cut to point.

8.4Imad Wasim to Williamson, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Williamson punches the ball through cover for a single.

8.5Imad Wasim to Neesham, 1 run, full ball wide of off stump, Neesha,m dabs the ball to backward point for a single.

8.6Imad Wasim to Williamson, no run, good length ball on off stump, Williamson makes room and cuts the ball to point.

NZ 48/1 after 8 overs.

Shadab Khan to bowl the eighth over.

7.1Shadab Khan toMitchell, 1 Leg Bye, full ball on middle and leg, the ball raps on the pads and Mitchell takes a single.

7.2Shadab Khan to Williamson, no run, full toss wide of off stump, Williamson drives the ball back to Babar at extra cover.

7.3Shadab Khan to Williamson, no run, good length ball on middle stump, Willamson plays a late cut to point.

7.4Shadab Khan to Williamson, 2 runs. back of the length ball on middle and leg, Williamson guides the ball to deep mid-wicket for two runs.

7.5Shadab Khan to Williamson, no run,, good length ball on off stump, Williamson plays the ball to point.

7.6Shadab Khan to Williamson, no run, short ball on off stump, Williamson goes back and punches the ball to mid-off.

NZ 45/1 after 7 overs.

Imad Wasim to bowl the seventh over.

6.1Imad Wasim to Mitchell, 1 run, full ball on off stump, Mitchell drives the ball down to long-on for a single.

6.2Imad Wasim to Guptill, 1 run, back of the length ball on off stump, Williamson plays the ball to mid-wicket for a single,

6.3Imad Wasim to Mitchell, no run, full ball on off stump, Mitchell blocks the ball.

6.4Imad Wasim to Mitchell, 1 run, full ball on off stump, Mitchell plays the ball down to deep mid-wicket for a run.

6.5Imad Wasim to Williamson, no run, short ball around off, Williamson rocks back and cuts the ball to the fielder at extra cover.

6.6Imad Wasim to Williamson, no run, good length ball on off and middle, Williamson rocks back and palys a late cut to point.

NZ 42/1 after 6 overs.

Haris Rauf to bowl the sixth over.

5.1Haris Rauf to Guptill, yorker on leg stump, Guptill looks to guide the ball to the leg side but the ball goes through the big gap between the two legs.

5.2Haris Rauf to Guptill, WICKET! FIRST STRIKE FOR PAKISTAN! Full ball on middle and leg, Guptill moves to the leg side to hit the ball, the ball raps on the pads and rolls back to hit the stumps.

Guptill b Haris Rauf 17(20)

Kane Williamson walks out to bat.

5.3Haris Rauf to Williamson, 1 run, good length ball on middle and leg, Williamson works the ball on the leg side for a single.

5.4Haris Rauf to Mitchell, 1 run, short ball around off, Mitchell pulls the ball to square-leg for a single.

5.5Haris Rauf to Williamson, no run, full ball on off stump, Williamson pushes the ball to the fielder at mid-off.

5.6Haris Rauf to Williamson, FOUR! Full ball angling in, Williamson whips the ball down to fine-leg for a boundary.

NZ 36/0 after 5 overs.

Hasan Ali to bowl the fifth over.

4.1Hasan Ali to Mitchell, SIX! SMOKED! Full ball on middle and leg, Mitchell swings and hammers the ball over long-on for a maximum!!!!

4.2Hasan Ali to Mitchell, 1 run, slow back of the length ball on middle and leg, Mitchell mishits the ball to the leg sdie for a single.

4.3Hasan Ali to Guptill, 1 run, slow good length ball on middle and leg, Guptill gets an inside edge and the ball goes to the leg side, Guptill steals a single.

4.4Hasan Ali to Mitchell, no run, short ball on middle and leg, Mitchell is early in the pull shot and the ball hits him on the body.

4.5Hasan Ali to Mitchell, 1 run, slow full ball on leg stump, Mitchell works the ball to the leg side for a single.

4.6Hasan Ali to Guptill, FOUR! Short and wide, Guptill gets on the top of the bounce and slaps the ball through backward point for a bounadry.

OH NO! IT IS A NO BALL!

FREE HIT!

4.6Hasan Ali to Guptill, 1 run, full ball on middle and leg, Guptill digs the ball out and gets a single.

NZ 21/0 after overs.

Imad to bowl the fifth over.

4.1Imad to Guptill, no run, full ball on off stump, Guptill blocks.

4.2Imad to Guptill, no run, full and straight, Guptill tucks the ball to square-leg.

4.3Imad to Guptill, no run, full ball, Guptill plays the ball back to the bowler.

4.4Imad to Guptill, 1 run, full ball, Guptill drives the ball down to long-on for a run.

4.5Imad to Mitchell, 1 run, full ball, Mitchell hits the ball to long-on for another single.

4.6Imad to Guptill, FOUR! Short and wide, Guptill makes room and thumps the ball through cover for a boundary.

NZ 15/0 after 3 overs.

Afridi to bowl the third over.

2.1Afridi to Mitchell, no run, good length ball on middle and leg, Mitchell punches the ball back to Afridi.

2.2Afridi to Mitchell, 2run,s good length ball on middle and leg, Mitchell tucks the ball to square-leg for a couple of runs.

2.3Afridi to Mitchell, 1 run, full ball wide of off stump, Mitchell drives the ball down to mid-off for a single.

2.4Afridi to Guptill, 1 run, back of the length ball on middle and leg, Guptill guides the ball to the leg side for a run.

2.5Afridi to Mitchell, FOUR! Short ball wide of off stump, Mitchell slaps the ball through cover for a boundary.

2.6Afridi to Mitchell, no run, full ball on middle and leg, the ball raps on the pads and goes to the leg side.

NZ 7/0 after 2 overs.

Imad Wasim to bowl the second over. Daryll Mitchell is on strike

1.1 Imad to Mitchell, no run, good length ball on off stump, Mitchell punches the ball to mid-off.

1.2Imad to Mitchell, 1 run, full ball on middle and leg, Mitchell works the ball down to deep mid-wicket for a single.

1.3Imad to Guptill, no run, full ball on off stump, Guptill drives the ball to extra-cover.

1.4Imad to Guptill, 1 run, short ball on off stump, Guptill plays a deft cut to the fielder at short third for a single.

1.5 Imad to Mitchell, 1 run, back of the length ball on middle and leg, Mitchell edges the ball to fine-leg for a single.

1.6Imad to Guptill, FOUR! Short and wide, Guptill slashes the ball through cover for the first boundary of innings

NZ 0/0 after 1 over.

Shaheen Shah Afridi to bowl the first over of the innings. Martin Guptil is on strike.

0.1Shaheen to Guptill, no run, full ball tad wide of off stump, the ball swings in a bit, Guptill drives the ball back to Afridi.

0.2Shaheen to Guptill, no run, back of the length ball wide of off stump, Guptill leaves the ball for the keeper.

0.3Shaheen to Guptill, no run, full ball on off stump, Guptill makes room and tonks the ball to the fielder at mid-on.

0.4Shaheen to Guptill, no run, full ball on middle and leg, Guptill pushes the ball back to the bowler.

0.5Shaheen to Guptill, no run, yorker on off stump, Guptill digs the ball to point.

0.6Shaheen to Guptill, no run, full ball tad wide of off stump, a swing and a miss from Guptill, the ball flies to Mohammad Rizwan and Afridi appeals for a caught behind but the umpire is unmoved.

The players and the match officials are lining up for the national anthems of the two countries. First national anthem of New Zealand. Next, the national anthem of Pakistan. The national anthems have been sung. Time for cricket. Pakistan players form a huddle by the boundary side. Captain Babar Azam gives a quick team chat after which the Pakistan players disperse on the field. And out walk the two New Zealnd openers.

Teams

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

Pakistan:Mohammad Rizwan(w), Babar Azam(c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi

Captain quotes from toss

Babar Azam, Pakistan captain: We're gonna bowl first. Hopefully we can take early wickets and restrict them to a low score. Dew is also a factor. Winning always gives confidence, especially when it comes in the first game of the tournament. Boys are keen to maintain the performance today as well. There is always room for improvement.Same team for us.

Kane Williamson, New Zealand captain:It's nice to get started. Obviously a nice crowd out there, even if they are against us a bit. Unfortunately, Lockie Ferguson is ruled out of the tournament. Adam Milne joins the squad. We're having Tim, Trent, Ish, Santner and Neesham as our bowlers.

Toss

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam wins the toss and opts to field first.

Lockie Ferguson Ruled Out!

News coming in from New Zealand camp is that pacer Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 because of a calf tear. Adam Milne will be announced as the replacement subject to approval from the ICC.

New Zealand’s strengths

New Zealand are top-heavy. Martin Guptill is now a veteran for the Blackcaps and is New Zealand’s all-time leading run-scorer in T20Is. Guptill will be in the company of Devon Conwoy while opening the batting. Conwoy has a T20 career strike rate of nearly 160. Conwoy and Guptill complement each other well. While Guptill loves hitting sixes, Conwoy deals in fours. New Zealand captain Kane Williamson should bat at no. 3. Williamson has scored 5429 runs from 212 T20 matches averaging 31.74.

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Pakistan strengths

Although the team is looking well rounded, Pakistan’s biggest strength at the moment is their opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan. The two batters have stitched together three highest partnerships for Pakistan in men’s T20I and all three partnerships have been put in 2021. The two batters have combined to put the partnerships of 197, 152* and 150 against South Africa, India and England respectively. The two batters are enjoying each other’s company at the moment and scoring runs at free will which is making life tough for the opposition bowlers.

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