A crucial 23-ball, 48-run, sixth wicket partnership between Shoaib Malik (20 off 11 balls) and Asif Ali (27 off 12 balls) guided Pakistan to their second ICC Men’s Twenty/20 Cricket World Cup victory in three days yesterday when they defeated New Zealand by 5 wickets with 8 balls remaining in Group 2 of the Super 12s at Sharjah.
Asif twice had medical attention for concussion-like symptoms after top-edging a bouncer from New Zealand’s fast bowler, Tim Southee into his helmet. His innings included three sixes
It was New Zealand’s first match. Pakistan won the toss, fielded first, and restricted New Zealand to 134-8 after fast bowler, Harris Rauf took 4-22.
The final scores: New Zealand 134-8 off 20 overs, Pakistan 135-5 off 18.4 overs.
Yesterday’s victory boosted Pakistan’s semi-final hopes. Their other opponents in Group 2 will be Afghanistan, Namibia and Scotland.
New Zealand’s fast bowler, Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the tournament with a calf tear. He has been replaced by fast bowler, Adam Milne in the 15-player squad.
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