CWC23:PAK defeat NZ by 21 runs via DLS method
Delhi: Fakhar Zaman and captain Babar Azam sparkled as Pakistan beat New Zealand by 21 runs in a rain-soaked match to stay alive in the Cricket World Cup.
After New Zealand had amassed a massive 401-6 lead in the match on Saturday in Bengaluru, Pakistan were 160-1 in the 21st over when rain forced a halt.
Set a revised target of 342 off 41 overs, Zaman was on 126 and Azam was on 66 with his team on 200-1 in the 26th over when the rain returned, ending the game and declaring Pakistan the winners because they were ahead of the needed rate.
With one encounter remaining in the group round, Pakistan and New Zealand both have eight points and are still in contention for semi final positions.
Pakistan’s decision to bowl first backfired as Rachin Ravindra (108 off 94) scored his third century of the ongoing World Cup and together with skipper Kane Williamson (95 off 79) shared 180 runs for the second wicket to set the platform for New Zealand’s total.
Pakistan will need to chase the target in 35.2 overs to beat the Kiwis on net run rate (NRR) and keep their hopes alive in the tournament.
Mohammad Wasim (3/60) was the pick of the Pakistani bowlers, while Iftikhar Ahmed (1/55), Hasan Ali (1/82) and Haris Rauf (1/85) picked up a wicket each.
