Date: Jun 26, 2019 Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
VS
237/6 (50.0)
241/4 (49.1)
Toss: Toss won by New Zealand
Umpires: Paul Reiffel (AUS) and Bruce Oxenford (AUS)
TV umpire: Paul Wilson (AUS)
Match referee: Sir Richie Richardson (WI)
Babar Azam produced a sublime unbeaten century under pressure as Pakistancontinued its revival in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 by halting New Zealand‘s unbeaten run with a six-wicket victory in Birmingham on Wednesday.
Chasing 238 on a tricky Edgbaston pitch which offered vicious turn, Azam (101) and Haris Sohail (68) showed intent, temperament and resolve while batting in Pakistan’s must-win game.
They raised a 126-run stand for the fourth wicket after Mohammed Hafeez’s dismissal off a part-time spinner, yet again, raised eyebrows and Mitchell Santner looked almost unplayable. (FULL REPORT)
IND 224/3 OVERS: 77.0
AUS 294 (75.5 Ovs)
IND need 104 runs to win
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COMMENTARY
Pakistan beat New Zealand by 6 wickets | New Zealand Vs Pakistan Match 33
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Right then! Pakistan continue to be alive and kicking. Another team which will be aiming to take inspiration from Pakistan is West Indies, as they take on India in Match number 34 at Old Trafford, Manchester at 10.30 am local (0930 GMT). ADIOS! TAKE CARE!
Pakistan skipper, Sarfaraz Ahmed says that the crowd always support them and thanks them. Adds that fielding is a very important part and they have worked hard on it. Adds that whenever they are pushed in a corner, they perform the best. States that it's a complete team effort and praises his bowlers and then the partnership between Haris Sohail and Babar Azam. Terms the batting of Babar Azam as the best he has ever seen and lauds him for the way he handled the pressure. Mentions that it was a tricky target but he was confident of chasing it if they bat out the 50 overs. On comparison with the 1992 WC, Sarfaraz replies that they are not thinking much about it and taking one game at a time. Hopes to keep doing best.
New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson, says that in the last 34 games the pitch has offered something for the bowlers and credits Pakistan for outplaying them on a tough surface. Praise the opposition for bowling in the right areas and nipping a number of guys off but also credits Neesham and de Grandhomme to bring the Kiwis back into the game. Admits that his own team had a chance with two early wickets but then Pakistan's middle order fought hard. Agrees that 250 might have been a difficult score on this track. On taking Santner off when Sohail came on to bat, Williamson says that was trying to save him for the end. Agrees that this loss is a blip and wants to forget this quickly and move on to the next match against a different opposition on a different pitch and hopes to perform better than today.
BABAR AZAM IS THE MAN OF THE MATCH. Says that this is indeed his best inning, which was required on a wicket which was slow and the track was turning a lot. Stresses that it was difficult to bat on and hence wanted to bat 50 overs. On being asked who was more of a threat - spinner (Santner) or seamer, Babar says that the initial plan was to see off the fast bowlers but on seeing the ball turn, Azam says that he and Hafeez thought of playing Santner out, trying to get 3-4 runs an over. Thanks the fans for turning out in numbers, even in Birmingham and adds that they always support Pakistan in England.
New Zealand would like to believe that this loss is just an aberration. They will be pleased with the way their batsmen fought after a poor beginning and will take the batting form of Jimmy Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme as positives. On the bowling front, they weren't necessarily poor but didn't get much off the surface to trouble the Pakistani batsmen. Mitchell Santner was the best bowler for them but he was unlucky not to get any wicket to his name. Had he got a few, this match could have seen a close finish. Please stay tuned for the presentation.
It was a chase well planned by Pakistan. They lost their in-form openers cheaply but that didn't affect them much. Babar Azam took it on himself to play the anchor role and first with Mohammad Hafeez and then with Haris Sohail, threaded match-winning partnerships. He went on to notch up his maiden World Cup century and stayed unbeaten to see his side over the line.
A thumping win for Pakistan and they have stopped New Zealand's winning juggernaut. Also, they have kept their campaign alive and their eye-catching resemblance to the 1992 World Cup edition is getting more and more interesting.
End of over 50 ( 8 Runs )PAK 241/4 49.1Lockie Ferguson to Sarfaraz Ahmed. FOUR, FOUR! PAKISTAN WIN BY 6 WICKETS! Full toss outside off, Sarfaraz gets bat on ball and puts it away through the gap between cover-point and point for the winning runs.
End of over 49 ( 3 Runs )PAK 237/4 48.6Matt Henry to Babar Azam. no run, Angles in a length ball on off, Babar flicks but finds the mid-wicket. So we have the last over, folks. Just 1 more needed.
48.5Matt Henry to Sarfaraz Ahmed. 1 run, Scores are levelled! Shortish and on middle, Sarfaraz stands back and helps it in front of square leg for a run.
48.4Matt Henry to Sarfaraz Ahmed. no run, Played to the point region by the batsman. No run.
Sarfaraz Ahmed comes out for the finishing duties.
48.3Matt Henry to Babar Azam. out, OUT! What an anti-climax! Haris Sohail is run out. A yorker on off, Babar digs it out near the stumps and looks at his partner who shows interest in a run. Azam stutters a bit but Sohail puts his head down and runs. Guptill, in the meantime, also charges to the ball, dives forward to pick it up and then disturbs the stumps. All in one motion. It's referred upstairs and Haris is found short. End of a fine knock nonetheless and his century stand with Babar completely spoiled New Zealand's chances of any comeback.
Is that a run out? Martin Guptill has literally flown in from point to hit the stumps! Has Sohail made it in time? Replays seem to indicate that Haris is short. Yes, he has to go.
48.2Matt Henry to Haris Sohail. 1 run, Fractionally short and on middle, Sohail turns it through backward square leg and crosses.
48.1Matt Henry to Babar Azam. 1 run, Short in length on off, Babar gets on top of the bounce and pulls it in front of square leg for a run.
Matt Henry to bowl...
End of over 48 ( 9 Runs )PAK 234/3 47.6Lockie Ferguson to Haris Sohail. no run, Swing and a miss! Shortish ball around leg, Sohail hops back and tries to pull but misses. Pakistan one hit away!
47.5Lockie Ferguson to Haris Sohail. 2 runs, A low full toss outside off, Sohail pumps it over the infield and gets a couple as the sweeper cover fielder cuts it off near the fence.
47.5Lockie Ferguson to Haris Sohail. wide, 1 run, Wide called for height! Lockie follows the batsman down towards leg with a short ball but it goes well over Haris. He tries his best to hook but misses.