Haris Rauf the hero as Pakistan down New Zealand
This is Pakistan's second successive win at the tournament
Photo: ICC/Twitter
Fast bowler Haris Rauf took a career best 4-22 to help Pakistan defeat New Zealand by five wickets and record their second successive win in the Twenty20 World Cup on Tuesday.
Boosted by their brilliant performance in the 10-wicket rout of arch-rivals India on Sunday, Rauf inspired the 2009 champions to victory in front of a boisterous Sharjah crowd mainly comprised of Pakistani expats.
Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell both scored 27 for New Zealand, while skipper Kane Williamson made a laborious 25 off 26 balls as New Zealand were held to a below-par 134-8.
Veteran Shoaib Malik (27) and Asif Ali (26) came together with Pakistan wobbling at 87-5 and led the team to their target in 18.4 overs.
Pakistan had lost skipper Babar Azam to Tim Southee — bowled for nine in the sixth over — as the paceman took his 100th wicket in his 84th T20 international.
He is only the third bowler behind Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan (117 in 92 T20Is) and Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga (107 in 84) to take 100 or more wickets in the format.
Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi trapped both Fakhar Zaman (11) and Mohammad Rizwan leg-before to reduce Pakistan to 69-4.
In between those two dismissals, Conway produced a brilliant diving catch at wide long-off to dismiss Mohammad Hafeez as he attempted to lift spinner Mitchell Santner out of the ground.
When Imad Wasim fell for 11, Pakistan still needed 47 off 31 deliveries.
It was left to Asif — maligned for his continuous failures — to hit two sixes off Southee in the 17th over to bring down the target to 24 off the last three.
Malik reduced that to nine in two overs by hitting a four and a six off Santner.
Asif then smacked Trent Boult for six before hitting the winning runs.
Rauf and Shaheen ‘very impressive’
It was Rauf who did much of the damage with the ball against New Zealand — sent into bat on a sluggish pitch — improving on his previous best of 3-29, also against the same opponents last year.
Babar praised his bowlers.
“It’s always good to win, we’ll take this confidence forward. The way the bowlers, Shaheen and Haris Rauf especially bowled was very impressive,” said Babar.
Williamson said the loss was disappointing.
“It’s very disappointing at the end,” he said. “Unfortunately we couldn’t nail things towards the back end but we were up against a very good side.”
Pakistan applied the pressure right from the start as left-arm paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi, whose three wickets against India earned him player of the match, bowled a maiden first over.
New Zealand reached 36 without loss when Rauf bowled Martin Guptill off his pads for 17. He also accounted for Conway and Glenn Phillips (13) in one over as New Zealand failed to lift the tempo at any stage.
There were no boundaries in overs 14 to 16 as even Phillips — who hit the most sixes in the T20 blast in England this year with 36 — failed to clear the boundary.
Rauf also dismissed Santner (six) with the last ball of the final over.
Shaheen finished with 1-21 while spinners Hafeez and Imad also took a wicket each.
Pakistan kept the same team that beat India.
New Zealand — playing their first game in the Super 12s — were jolted before the start of the match when fast bowler Lockie Ferguson was ruled out of the tournament with a calf injury.
Pakistan next play Afghanistan in Dubai on Friday while New Zealand face India, also in Dubai, on Sunday.
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Some atmosphere in Sharjah. Good crowds make a broadcast richer. Well played again Pakistan. Very impressive, especially (not exclusively) in that bowling unit.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) October 26, 2021
18.4 | Pakistan 135-5
PAKISTAN BEAT NEW ZEALAND BY FIVE WICKETS! Asif Ali smashes a six on Boult’s third ball of the over and Pakistan cross the finishing line with a double on the next ball!
Asif Ali’s 27 off 12 balls, with three sixes and a fours, was surely a match-winning knock after Haris Rauf shone with the ball in the first innings recording figures of 4-22 in four overs.
18.0 | Pakistan 126-5
A SIX and a FOUR from Malik take Pakistan in touching distance of the target!
17.0 | Pakistan 111-5
Two SIXES by Asif Ali gets Pakistan 13 in Southee’s over!
16.0 | Pakistan 98-5
Malik hits one four over Sodhi’s head in the over as Pakistan add seven to the tally.
15.0 | Pakistan 91-5
Two FOURS in this over for Pakistan but they lost a wicket too! Asif Ali ends the over with a boundary on his first ball.
14.5 | Pakistan 87-5
OUT! Imad is gone! A straight Boult delivery crashes into his pads!
14.0 | Pakistan 80-4
Malik and Imad trying to build a partnership as Pakistan score five runs in Sodhi’s over.
13.0 | Pakistan 75-4
Neesham concedes only five runs in this over as the asking run=rate creeps up for Pakistan.
12.0 | Pakistan 70-4
A successful over for New Zealand.
Pakistan fans look on eagerly, hoping for their second win in the Super 12 stage 💪@OPPOIndia | #Shotoftheday pic.twitter.com/bpwM4pGqCa
— ICC (@ICC) October 26, 2021
11.4 | Pakistan 69-4
OUT! Sodhi bowls a wrong’un which Rizwan fails to negotiate, trapped plumb in front! Big wicket for New Zealand! Imad Wasim comes into bat.
11.0 | Pakistan 63-3
OUT! Hafeez is gone! Lofts it towards the off side but Conway cancels the effort by taking an extraordinary running catch!
10.0 | Pakistan 58-2
Hafeez hits a SIX on his first ball as Pakistan score nine in the over.
Professor announces his arrival with a SIX 🔥#PAKvNZ
— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) October 26, 2021
9.0 | Pakistan 47-2
OUT! Ish Sodhi strikes! Fakhar departs after a sharp leg-break hits back pad while the left-hander is trapped deep in the crease. Umpire turns down New Zealand’s appeal before DRS reverts the decision. Hafeez comes into bat.
8.0 | Pakistan 39-1
Southee allows only three runs in this one.
7.0 | Pakistan 36-1
Santner concedes only five runs in the over, despite a FOUR by Rizwan on the first ball.
Rizwan's T20I average at the moment is 52.77 – HIGHEST IN THE WORLD WITH 1000 RUNS. He's gone past Virat Kohli (52.72).
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) October 26, 2021
6.0 | Pakistan 30-1
New Zealand restrict Pakistan to only 30 runs in the powerplay. Successful over for Southee, who dismisses Babar.
5.1 | Pakistan 28-1
OUT! Babar is castled by Southee as he tries to hit this one hard! Fakhar Zaman comes in to bat.
5.1 | Pakistan 28-0
Rizwan hits a FOUR on the first ball of the over, in which Boult concedes six runs.
4.0 | Pakistan 22-0
Another FOUR by Rizwan, this time Southee on the receiving end. Six runs from the over.
3.0 | Pakistan 14-0
A signature short-arm jab FOUR by Mohammad Rizwan helps Pakistan add five runs in Trent Boult’s over.
Pakistan’s bowling has been exceptional
— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) October 26, 2021
2.0 | Pakistan 9-0
Tim Southee concedes only two runs in his first over.
In the last T20 World Cup, Haris Rauf was not even a professional cricketer. He went to Gujranwala with his friend where he was picked by Lahore Qalandars during the trials. Then Dale Steyn got injured in Big Bash and Melbourne called him. Since then he's been UNSTOPPABLE!
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) October 26, 2021
1.0 | Pakistan 7-0
Mitchell Santner bowls the first over and concedes a FOUR in the first over, thanks to Babar Azam.
@iShaheenAfridi 4-1-21-1 for Asia's best all format bowler. 👏 #PAKvNZ #Cricket
— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) October 26, 2021
We now kinda get it why #NewZealand left without playing. Threat was real. #pakistanteam #PAKvNZ #PakvsNewzealand #pakistan #PakistanZindabad
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) October 26, 2021
In the last T20 World Cup, Haris Rauf was not even a professional cricketer. He went to Gujranwala with his friend where he was picked by Lahore Qalandars during the trials. Then Dale Steyn got injured in Big Bash and Melbourne called him. Since then he's been UNSTOPPABLE!
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) October 26, 2021
PAKISTAN NEED 136 RUNS TO WIN
20.0 | New Zealand 135-8
OUT! Haris gets his fourth! Santner is clean-bowled by deceptive slower one! New Zealand restricted to 135 runs.
19.0 | New Zealand 125-7
OUT! Tim Seifert departs as he edges a slower one by Shaheen towards third-man, where Hafeez takes an easy catch. Only six runs come the over despite a FOUR by Seifert.
18.0 | New Zealand 119-6
What an over for Pakistan! Two wickets bagged and only three runs given away.
17.3 | New Zealand 116-6
OUT! Haris strikes again! Its Phillips’ time to go now. The right-hander tries to clear long on but is caught by Hassan Ali.
17.1 | New Zealand 116-5
OUT! Haris gets another one. Bowls a slower-one which deceives Devon Conway, who gets caught by Babar Azam at midwicket.
17.0 | New Zealand 116-4
A FOUR by Glenn Phillips to end Shaheen’s penultimate over
16.0 | New Zealand 107-4
Seven runs come from Hassan Ali’s penultimate over.
15.0 | New Zealand 100-4
Haris concedes only five in this one.
Scenes in Sharjah! 🔥🇵🇰#WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/zxEgX4hXWm
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 26, 2021
14.0 | New Zealand 95-4
A successful over for Pakistan, a wicket bagged and only five runs conceded.
13.1 | New Zealand 90-4
OUT! Hassan Ali’s return throw crashes into the stumps to run-out Williamson!
WHAT. A. DIRECT HIT.
— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) October 26, 2021
HASAAAAAAN ALI 😍😍😍😍#PAKvNZ #T20WorldCup
13.0 | New Zealand 90-3
Three FOURS for New Zealand in Shadab’s over, one due to Asif Ali’s misfield. New Zealand have found rhythm again.
12.0 | New Zealand 75-3
A SIX and a FOUR by Kane Williamson in Hafeez’s over gives New Zealand some breathing space.
11.0 | New Zealand 63-3
Shadab bowls another good over
10.0 | 60-3 New Zealand 60-3
Only four runs come from Hafeez’s first over. New Zealand flow has been broken.
9.1 | New Zealand 56-3
OUT! Mohammad Hafeez comes in and strikes first ball! Jimmy Neesham departs after trying to clear the square-leg boundary!
9.0 | New Zealand 56-2
Eight runs come from a successful over from Imad.
8.2 | New Zealand 54-2
OUT! Mitchell hits Imad for a six straight down the ground, but miscues one towards long-on on the next ball and Fakhar Zaman takes an easy catch!
8.0 | New Zealand 48-1
Shadab Khan introduced into the attack and gives away only three runs.
7.0 | New Zealand 45-1
Imad allows only three runs in this one.
6.0 | New Zealand 42-1
Haris gets a wicket, but concedes a FOUR thanks to a misdirected yorker on the last ball.
5.2 |New Zealand 36-1
OUT! Haris Rauf follows Guptill with a fast yorker, which ricochets from the right-hander’s pads onto the stumps!
5.0 | New Zealand 36-0
Hassan Ali comes in to bowl. After being hit for a huge SIX over long-on by Mitchell, he comes back with some slower ones to contain the flow of runs, only to get it hit for a FOUR on the last ball.
4.0 | New Zealand 21-0
Once again, Imad Wasim’s over ends with a FOUR! Guptill makes room and cuts it with precision.
3.0 | New Zealand 15-0
Daryl Mitchell smashes a half-tracker by Shaheen through the off side for FOUR on the penultimate ball of the over, which sees eight runs conceded.
2.0 | New Zealand 7-0
Imad Wasim bowls from the other end, concedes seven runs as Martin Guptill hits cuts for a FOUR on the last ball.
1.0 | New Zealand 0-0
Shaheen Shah Afridi starts off with a maiden over.
TOSS: Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has won the toss and opted to field first. They’ve decided to go with the same XI that beat India.
“Hopefully we can take early wickets and restrict them to a low score. Dew is also a factor,” said Babar after the toss. “Winning always gives confidence, especially when it comes in the first game of the tournament.
“Boys are keen to maintain the performance today as well. There is always room for improvement. Same team for us.”
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson names his bowling line-up and had something to say about the crowd as well. “It’s nice to get started. Obviously a nice crowd out there, even if they are against us a bit,” he said.
“Unfortunately, Lockie Ferguson is ruled out of the tournament. Adam Milne joins the squad.
“We’re having Tim, Trent, Ish, Santner and Neesham as our bowlers.”
Here is Pakistan’s playing XI for today’s game
— Samaa Sports (@samaasport) October 26, 2021
Follow live updates here 👉https://t.co/MAWtVHmMhN #PAKvNZ #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/Zx4kzU5NHy
This is New Zealand’s line up for the fixture
— Samaa Sports (@samaasport) October 26, 2021
Follow live updates here 👉https://t.co/MAWtVHmMhN #PAKvNZ #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/TTBvrGxAic
INJURY UPDATE: Huge blow for New Zealand as fast-bowler Lockie Ferguson is ruled out of the game due to a calf tear. Adam Milne comes in as his replacement in the squad.
Pakistan reach Sharjah Cricket Stadium ahead of their #T20WorldCup match against New Zealand.#WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/aQmethGv9E
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 26, 2021
Look ahead at today’s @T20WorldCup match in Sharjah against @TheRealPCB with Kane Williamson, Ish Sodhi and Luke Ronchi. Follow play LIVE in NZ with @skysportnz from 3am NZT. #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/z96G8c3kHv
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 26, 2021
Sending best wishes and duas to our team 🇵🇰 for #PakvsNz. The whole nation is standing behind you boys and praying for your success 🙌🏼
— Fawad Alam (@iamfawadalam25) October 26, 2021
