In an upset of sorts, New Zealand's World Cup campaign suffered a jolt at Edgbaston, as they lost to a recharged Pakistan by 6 wickets, allowing them to sneak back into contention. After a scratchy win against South Africa last sunday, Pakistan were far more organised today, climbing upto 6th position on the points table & giving themselves a real chance to reach the last four.
Incidentally, the win loss sequence in the first seven matches for Pakistan in this tournament, has been exactly similar to their 1992 campaign, when under Imran Khan, they eventually went onto win the tournament - an uncanny resemblance, which is doing the rounds across all popular social media & raising hopes of the Pakistani fans.
Choosing to bat after winning the toss, New Zealand ran into trouble losing wickets in a heap as left arm Amir clipped Guptill in the 2nd over, while Shaheen gobbled three wickets, claiming Munro, Taylor & Latham, as the score read 46 for 4 in the 13th over. Capt Williamson dug deep to revive the innings, but when he too was consumed by the spin of Shadab, caught behind in the 27th over at 83 for 5, the game looked snuffed out from the Kiwis. However, Neesham & Grandhomme hit back with a brutal counter attack for the 6th wicket, stitching a 132 runs partnership, before Grandhomme was run out in the 48th over, for blistering 64 runs. Neesham remained unbeaten for a marvellous 97 runs, missing his century, as New Zealand innings ended at 237 for 6, & the contest was on.
Chasing a tricky 238 runs, Pakistan lost both the openers within 11 overs for jut 44 runs, with the Kiwis pace attack looking menacing, as Babar Azam & Md Hafeez survived a period of close calls, as the ball beat the bat consistently, but somehow eluded the snick behind, as the fielders looked for some providential help. Santner, baffled the batsmen with his guile without luck, as the pitch responded to spin & the Kiwis, seemed to have erred at not including leg spinner Ish Sodhi, to the playing eleven, who would've added much needed bite on this slow surface.
Hafeez holed out to Williamson in the deep for 32 runs in the 25th over, but next in Haris Sohail & Babar Azam ensured there were no more hiccups, as the pair added 126 undefeated runs to take Pakistan to victory. Babar Azam was sublime, getting to his 10th ODI hundred, while Sohail scored a solid 68 runs.
With this win, Pakistan now have 7 points from 7 matches & they would now fancy their chances against relatively easier opponents in Afghanistan & Bangladesh for the last two matches of their round robin, to make their way to semis. New Zealand on 11 points from 7 matches, have tougher opponents to face in Australia & England. They will need to win at least one to ensure smooth passage to the last four. - the tournament is moving towards its final phases, as the competition is heating up.
Incidentally, the win loss sequence in the first seven matches for Pakistan in this tournament, has been exactly similar to their 1992 campaign, when under Imran Khan, they eventually went onto win the tournament - an uncanny resemblance, which is doing the rounds across all popular social media & raising hopes of the Pakistani fans.
Choosing to bat after winning the toss, New Zealand ran into trouble losing wickets in a heap as left arm Amir clipped Guptill in the 2nd over, while Shaheen gobbled three wickets, claiming Munro, Taylor & Latham, as the score read 46 for 4 in the 13th over. Capt Williamson dug deep to revive the innings, but when he too was consumed by the spin of Shadab, caught behind in the 27th over at 83 for 5, the game looked snuffed out from the Kiwis. However, Neesham & Grandhomme hit back with a brutal counter attack for the 6th wicket, stitching a 132 runs partnership, before Grandhomme was run out in the 48th over, for blistering 64 runs. Neesham remained unbeaten for a marvellous 97 runs, missing his century, as New Zealand innings ended at 237 for 6, & the contest was on.
Chasing a tricky 238 runs, Pakistan lost both the openers within 11 overs for jut 44 runs, with the Kiwis pace attack looking menacing, as Babar Azam & Md Hafeez survived a period of close calls, as the ball beat the bat consistently, but somehow eluded the snick behind, as the fielders looked for some providential help. Santner, baffled the batsmen with his guile without luck, as the pitch responded to spin & the Kiwis, seemed to have erred at not including leg spinner Ish Sodhi, to the playing eleven, who would've added much needed bite on this slow surface.
Hafeez holed out to Williamson in the deep for 32 runs in the 25th over, but next in Haris Sohail & Babar Azam ensured there were no more hiccups, as the pair added 126 undefeated runs to take Pakistan to victory. Babar Azam was sublime, getting to his 10th ODI hundred, while Sohail scored a solid 68 runs.
With this win, Pakistan now have 7 points from 7 matches & they would now fancy their chances against relatively easier opponents in Afghanistan & Bangladesh for the last two matches of their round robin, to make their way to semis. New Zealand on 11 points from 7 matches, have tougher opponents to face in Australia & England. They will need to win at least one to ensure smooth passage to the last four. - the tournament is moving towards its final phases, as the competition is heating up.
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