NZ vs PAK: New Zealand thrash Pakistan by 22 runs to seal semifinals berth
New Zealand thrash Pakistan by 22 runs to seal semifinal berth in Group 2
PAK 158-5 (20 overs) Sarfraz 11, Shoaib 15
Sharjeel Khan provided the right start for Pakistan to chase 181 runs but shoddy batting from the rest of the batsmen proved fateful on the day as Pakistan now will have to rely on mathematical equations to progress further in the tournament.
Read: Pakistan can still qualify for the semis even if they lose against Kiwis
PAK 123-3 (15.1 overs) Akmal 15, Malik 0
Pakistan Shahid Afridi who came out in the middle after the departure of Shehzad clobbered a couple of boundaries before departing for a brisk 19 runs. Sodhi got rid of Boom Boom Afridi.
PAK 83-2 (9 overs) Shehzad 24, Umar Akmal 1
Ish Sodi and Mitchell Santner have turned the tide in New Zealand's favour. Sharjeel was the first to depart after a well-played 25-ball 47 runs. Adam Milne was responsible for his wicket. Mitchell Santner then sent Khalid Latif back to the pavillion for just 3 runs.
PAK 61-0 (5 overs) Sharjeel 43, Shehzad 11
Sharjeel Khan has done most of the damage as Pakistan have raced away to 61-0 in the first five over. The Pakistan southpaw has registered 8 boundaries and one six in his 22-ball 43 runs.
PAK 24-0 (2 overs) Shehzad 6, Sharjeel 15
Ahmed Shehzad, Sharjeel Khan are off to a brisk start chasing 181 in what is a must-win game for Shahid Afridi-led Pakistan.
NZ 180/5 (20) Taylor 34*, G Elliott 1
Ross Taylor remained unbeaten on 34 off 22 balls to guide New Zealand to 180 for the loss of five wickets at the end of 20 overs. Anderson (21) fell to Afridi giving him his second wicket of the match. Luke Ronchi (11) fell to Sami. Amir remained wicketless and conceded 41 off his four overs.
NZ 127/3 (15) Anderson 17, Taylor 0
Guptill looked all set for a ton when Sami made him play on to this stumps. The Pakistan pacer dismissed Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina in the same fashion the other night. The Kiwi departed for 80 off 48 in the 15th over. Ross Taylor is the new batsman in the middle joining Anderson who has quickly moved on to 17 off 12.
NZ 93/2 (11) Guptill 61, Anderson 2
Skipper Williamson departed in the eighth over for 17. Afridi caught him off Irfan. On the other hand, Guptill reached his half-century, his 10th in the T20 format, in style. Colin Munro (7) was dismissed by Afridi, caught by Sharjeel Khan.
NZ 44/0 (5) Guptill 28, Williamson 10
After five overs, New Zealand are 44/0 with Guptill on 28 (18) and Williamson on 10 (12). Guptill ends the fifth over with a huge six.
Guptill is off to a flier, Williamson is giving him full support from the other end. Mohammad Irfan conceded 13 off his sole over. Mohammad Amir looked good in his first over but he also went for plenty in his second. All eyes are on Imad Wasim - the spinner and the veteran Mohammad Sami.
NZ 19/0 (2.3)
Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson have opened the proceedings with a positive approach for the undefeated Kiwis.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Corey Anderson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Mitch McClenaghan, Ish Sodhi.
Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (c), Ahmed Shehzad, Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Irfan
Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to bat.
Welcome to the live coverage of Group 2, Super 10 fixture between New Zealand and Pakistan in Mohali.
