Pakistan's semis dream alive after Fakhar's scintillating knock in rain-hit match
Cricket
Pak won by 21 runs due to D/L method
BENGALURU (Web Desk) – Pakistan have been declared winner against New Zealand by virtue of being 21 runs ahead owing to D/L method in the 35th match of the ICC World Cup 2023
Pakistan's dreams for the semifinals are very much alive after this major victory.
Fakhar Zaman with a blistering knock of 126 (not out) helped Pakistan register a much-needed victory. His special performance received praise from all and sundry.
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Earlier, important clash came to halt for the second time due to an another spell of rain.
According to new scheme of things, Pakistan required 342 in 41 overs. An hour or so earlier, rain stopped the all-important clash between the two teams. Pakistan came up with a spirited reply in pursuit of 402.
Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam have been playing well as Pakistan are desperate for a victory to keep their World Cup hopes alive. They are facing the daunting task of chasing down a target of 401, a feat they had never accomplished before.
Their previous highest chase was 348 against Australia in Lahore last year.
Their run rate is also ahead of New Zealand.
After the loss of opening batsman Abdullah Shafiq, Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam consolidated innings with fine hitting. Fakhar made centurt and he is assisted by skipper Babar.
Earlier, New Zealand set a target of 402 runs for Pakistan after being put into bat first.
The crucial match is being played at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday.
New Zealand consolidated their innings by crossing 350 as both Williamson and Ravindra have played big innings.
The Pakistani bowlers tried their best to contain the run rate in this crucial match.
Earlier, Hassan Ali sent Devon Conway back to pavilion and it was the 100th One Day International wicket of the pacer. Conway knocked 35 off 39 balls with 6 fours. New Zealand was on 68 runs when Conway left the crease.
Pakistan won the toss and decided to bowl first against New Zealand.
After getting relief from a thumb injury, the Kiwis skipper Kane Williamson is back in action coupled with the addition of leg-spinner Ish Sodhi to take on Pakistan. The injured Matt Henry and Will Young have made room for these two experienced players.
As bevy of quicks are strength of Pakistan and fast bowler Hasan Ali is back in the must-win match.
Earlier Coverage
A defeat against New Zealand would all but end Pakistan semi-final hopes, while the Black Caps need to snap a three-match losing streak to get their campaign back on track at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
New Zealand would have entered this match as a clear favourite just one week ago, but some injury concerns in the Kiwi camp and a form turnaround from Pakistan means it's difficult to determine who will emerge as the winner.
With question marks surrounding the fitness of key quicks Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry, New Zealand have called on the services of proven pacer Kyle Jamieson and the tall right-armer may be considered for this match should the Black Caps attempt to include him as a replacement player.
Skipper Kane Williamson will be monitored as he continues to recover from his thumb concern, while Pakistan look more settled now with the return of opener Fakhar Zaman to their line-up.
Fakhar torched Bangladesh with a stylish half-century last start and can often be relied upon to get Pakistan off to a fast start alongside the reliable Abdullah Shafique.
It will be interesting to see whether Pakistan include another specialist bowler against New Zealand, or continue to call on Iftikhar Ahmed to perform with the ball as he has done reasonably well over the last few games.
Pakistan will be hoping their quicks – led by freshly crowned No.1 ranked ODI bowler Shaheen Afridi -- can put a massive dent in New Zealand's top order and this battle will go a long way in determining who comes out on top in Bengaluru.
Opener Fakhar Zaman showed his importance to Pakistan against Bangladesh in Kolkata when he smashed a quickfire 81 at the top of the order to give his team the ascendancy.
Fakhar can set the tone for Pakistan early and his new-ball battle with the likes of Trent Boult and Tim Southee will be pivotal to the outcome of the game.
If Fakhar can get Pakistan off to a good start during the Powerplay then it paves the way for Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to pace the innings during the middle overs.
On the other hand, New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips has shown glimpses of his best this tournament, but hasn't quite put it all together in one individual match...yet.
Phillips picked up impressive figures of 3/37 in an inspired spell against Australia and then delivered his second half-century of the tournament when amassing 60 in a losing cause last start against South Africa.
With a host of key players missing through injury, it's time for Phillips to step up and showcase exactly how good he is with a match-winning performance.
Squads
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young.
