Pakistan ruined New Zealand’s perfect record with a six-wicket victory in Birmingham that kept their Cricket World Cup semifinal hopes alive.
Babar Azam made an unbeaten century as Pakistan kept their World Cup hopes alive to end New Zealand’s unbeaten record with a six-wicket win at Edgbaston.
New Zealand knew victory would secure a fourth successive World Cup semi-final appearance, but the Black Caps were unable to defend their total of 6-237 against revitalised opposition.
Pakistan still had plenty of work to do at the halfway mark of their chase, being 3-110 on a used pitch that was providing significant assistance to spinner Mitchell Santner.
But Azam’s 101 not out – the first World Cup century by a Pakistan player other than an opening batsman since 1987 – saw off New Zealand with five balls to spare.
Babar passed 3,000 one-day international runs in the process.
His 127-ball innings, which contained 11 fours, underlined the 24-year-old’s huge talent, but New Zealand wicketkeeper Tom Latham was left to reflect on a spilled catch off Santner when Babar had made 38.
It was to prove a decisive drop and the result was never in doubt after that, despite Santner’s spin and the early hostility generated by paceman Lockie Ferguson.
The fourth-wicket partnership between Babar and Haris Sohail, (68) who was run out in the penultimate over, was played out in front of ecstatic Pakistan supporters, who delighted in taking over Edgbaston for the day.
It was a gritty all-round team performance from Pakistan, who flew out of the blocks with Shaheen Afridi questioning New Zealand’s decision to bat in overcast conditions by taking three wickets.
Their win will also raise anxiety levels in the England dressing room, with only one point now separating the two sides in the race for a top-four finish.
Mohammad Amir had first-ball success as Martin Guptill dragged on, but it was Shaheen who shone to leave New Zealand in real difficulty at 4-46.
The out-of-form Colin Munro (12) drove to slip, Ross Taylor (3) was brilliantly caught by gloveman Sarfaraz Ahmed diving to his right, and Latham (1) also edged behind.
Afridi had figures of 7-3-11-3 from his first spell and finished with 3-28 – the most economical spell by a Pakistan bowler at the last five World Cups.
Kane Williamson, so often New Zealand’s saviour, dug in, but the Black Caps skipper fell for 41 as leg-spinner Shadab Khan found prodigious turn to give Sarfaraz a third catch.
Jimmy Neesham and Colin De Grandhomme repaired the early damage with a sixth-wicket partnership of 132 as New Zealand showed their renowned battling qualities.
De Grandhomme was eventually run out for 64 and Neesham compiled an ODI best of 97 not out to set Pakistan what looked like a challenging target.
But New Zealand’s wait to book that last-four spot must extend into their final two games against Australia and England.
Neel
Roar Guru
Well played Pakistan. Way too good on the day. Babar Azam is going to be a star for the Pakistanis. Sarfaraz captained the side really well when it mattered the most. The uncanny resemblance of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup to their current World Cup campaign, continues. For New Zealand, they committed a tactical blunder, not playing Sodhi for this particular game and the pressure is on the underperforming trio of Guptill, Latham & Munro. Munro and Latham, in particular are really looking bad. Hopefully, they fire soon. Neesham and de Grandhomme were standouts and have come good when it has mattered in this World Cup. Neesham has matured a lot as a player and his performances so far in this World Cup have shown how much he has changed over the last 2-3 years as a player. As a team, they need to perform well in order to beat the firing Aussies at Lords on Saturday. It should be a great clash.
Neel
Roar Guru
Taylor hasn’t faired too badly. It’s Guptill, Munro and Latham that are in form slumps. Both Munro and Guptill average less than 30 and Latham is really out of form. 27 runs in 6 innings from a vice-captain is seriously concerning. I do hope the trio come good, but I don’t honestly see Munro firing anytime soon. Averaging mid 24 after 59 ODIs isn’t really encouraging from Munro’s side. Changes should be made to the squad for the next game. Yes, it’s a vital clash against the firing Aussies at Lords but it’s better to change the squad now rather than later.
Neel
Roar Guru
Pross, Pakistan beat England. They gave Australia a tiny scare but they eventually lost to the Aussies.
Pross
Roar Rookie
Wouldn't say they 'stun'ed NZ as Pakistan did beat both Aus and England in this world cup so I'm sure NZ realised they were up for a close game.
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
New Zealand were due a defeat after pulling off so many close wins in this competition. Just one defeat, they are still well positioned for a semifinal appearance and you reckon sooner or later Guptill, Taylor and Munro will get out of their batting slumps.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I'd love an England lockout. Boo Smith and Warner to your hearts content. ----- For a country that has gazetted so many sports there is a paucity of World Cups.