Pakistan (135/5) defeat New Zealand (134/8) by five wickets in a close finish at Sharjah

[shamaan]

Mr Coool

 

[Colorblind Genius]

What an innings.

Congratulations Asif Ali.

I am one of the many you proved wrong.

Inshallah many more performances from you!

Don't forget an awesome contribution of Malik to hold the other side. He held this innings together to form this great partnership!

I think Malik has justified his selection here.

 

[silentkiller187]

Dear Harris rauf and shoaib Malik and asif ali.

I take back all the abuse I have given you over the years , thanks for proving me wrong, go win this tournament now.

 

[srh]

Asif Ali should be the man of the match. He was the decisive player.

no. Haris Rauf should be the man of match. Pakistan win this match because of their bowling just like they win against India.

 

[Rana]

Tagda response

 

[srh]

what is pradshan? this woman is speaking foreign language

 

[srh]

somebody tell this woman the player is from Pakistan and not India

 

[Abdurmirr]

happy now?

Very

 

[Colorblind Genius]

 

[Kroll]

Need more abandoned home tours lol, really galvanised the boys, even Asif Ali coming good.

 

[srh]

what is supultha?

 

[pakistanisgreat]

What a game was that

 

[GLORY OF '92]

That was sweet. Thanks Asif will never forget

 

[shamaan]

Just read this


The BIGGEST security threat to NZ…..ASIF ALI!!! #PAKvNZ

��������

 

[Shariq7]

what is supultha?

Yeah, I don't think Haris got it either.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

What a dream start to this tournament. Pak now well placed to finish at the top of the group which means we will likely manage to avoid England in the semi final. Just need to maintain the intensity and work on today’s mistakes.

 

[shamaan]

Never write Malik off

 

[PakistanMeriJaan]

My only wish was we battered them for their recent pull out but a win is a win. Hopefully we meet England soon and batter them aswell. Green team all the way.

 

[mrtaim3]

It looked that Haris wasn't able to hear the lady.

 

[gani999]

My word. Pakistan on a roll here. Superlative performance against two tough opponents. Well done!

Guess Pakistan is assured a berth in the semis now.

 

[srh]

Jeez what a bad closing ceremony from the host Haris could not understand that woman's language, why not just use English

 

[Amjid Javed]

Good thing our middle order was tested today and we come through it. Babar needs to get a move on earlier in inns and imad needs to stop playing these dumb shots.

 

[Kroll]

Never write Malik off

Calming influence, daddy/chachu of the team.

 

[Mankaded]

what is supultha?

Success

 

[silentkiller187]

I’m expecting Pakistan to lose the next 3 games and still somehow get knocked out, something must be wrong 2 out of 2 and top of the league need to pinch myself

 

[Firebat]

Haris, Malik and Asif have just slammed humble pie in my face and it tastes amazing

Another brilliant victory!

 

[Kroll]

I’m expecting Pakistan to lose the next 3 games and still somehow get knocked out, something must be wrong 2 out of 2 and top of the league need to pinch myself

Afghan could be tricky but Scotland and Namibia should be comfortable.

 

[cric_4life]

what is supultha?

Pradarshan means performance.
Safalta not supultha means victory.

 

[cric_man]

 

[Last Monetarist]

Highlights:

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[Bewal Express]

Well done PK, great performance.

 

[Nasty Naz]

What a thrilling win.

Incredible to see Asif come up so big in such an important moment. A total game changing inning for Pakistan from the first ball when he got that boundary. He attacked Boult, hit couple of sixes and it totally changed the match and put the pressure back on the bowlers. This was his best innings and it was incredible to see it happen. I hope he is alright as well and doesn't have a concussion.

Pakistan toughest matches are out of the way and I hope they stay focused in the remaining matches because you never know.

 

[Green Patriot]

Unreal by Pakistan honestly. I just hope they don't get overconfident. Superb win. Everyone chipping in. Surreal scenes.

 

[shaz619]

Many congrats to Pakistan! the team and fans should be proud regardless of how the tournie goes from here for them,

As for the Spineless and Cowardly NZ team, you were absolutely pathetic and a colossal disgrace on the cricket pitch today, you deserved to lose and should hand in your jersey’s, but I doubt we can find a replacement XI in your little green pond which has as much pride and courage as Pakistan do in their pinky.

 

[street cricketer]

Absolutely dominant performances since the start of the tournament. Pakistan looks like winning the tournament undefeated at this rate!

Also India needed a Pakistan win as well. Thanks for this experience PCB.

 

[PakLFC]

We have almost made the semi's now with two great wins. It is no mean feat defeating India and NZ with two great performances. Bit off a concern is Imad Wasim the batsman who is not doing anything...always struggles with the bat, any alternatives?

 

[Uzi]

It was a little more tense than I would have liked, but a win is a win. Great bowling performance once again. We were nowhere near as assured with the bat as we were against India. Need to keep up the intensity against Afghanistan as that could be quite a tough game.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Absolutely dominant performances since the start of the tournament. Pakistan looks like winning the tournament undefeated at this rate!

Also India needed a Pakistan win as well. Thanks for this experience PCB.

LMAO I see what you did there )

 

[srh]

Success

Pradarshan means performance.
Safalta not supultha means victory.

thanks guys for the translation; but I feel bad about Haris on trying to understand foreign words while all the cameras are on him; that lady should have known that Haris will not understand those foreign words and should have just used English

 

[khan-92]

Masha'Allah great win Pakistan Zindabad.

 

[castortroy]

England bowling attack isn't the best. They have the best spinner in the work though and there batting is ferocious

Expect Australia and England to come through in the other group

 

[shamaan]

Win Dedicated To All The Security Forces Of Pakistan &#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816; Well Done Boys Pakistan Zindabad &#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816;&#55357;&#56474;

 

[sam_ahm]

Many congratulations to Pakistan on another wonderful Win.

You guys have come determined to do well in this tournament and it shows.

Brilliant stuff.

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan left it late to secure a five-wicket victory over New Zealand to continue their unbeaten start in Group 2 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021.

New Zealand were restricted by both spin and seam, with pace bowler Haris Rauf taking four for 22 as the Blackcaps made 134 for eight from their 20 overs.

Pakistan got off to a slow start in reply making 55 off their first 10 overs before Shoaib Malik, 26 not out off 20, and Asif Ali, 27 not out from 12 balls, powered them to victory.

Shaheen Shah Afridi started tamely for his standards, having taken one for two in his first over against India, bowling a wicket-less maiden over after Pakistan won the toss and chose to field.

With New Zealand making good progress at 36 for no loss after five overs, captain Babar Azam brought on death-overs specialist Rauf, with the bowler making an instant impact.

The first ball was right at Martin Guptill’s feet, and the second delivery he could do nothing about as it clattered off his thigh pad and into the stumps, as Guptill was forced to limp off having made 17 from 20.

Not having had the chance to bat against India, Fakhar Zaman was in the game taking two catches to dismiss Daryl Mitchell and Jimmy Neesham.

With New Zealand going at a run a ball, Kane Williamson was then given out lbw but a reprieve on review gave him a new lease of life as he scored three fours in a row to push New Zealand up to 90 for 3.

That would be his last contribution as he was run out for 25 off 26 balls, and with Williamson gone, New Zealand reverted back to their run-a-ball approach with Glenn Phillips and Devon Conway trading singles.

The pair would soon be out in the space of three balls, Rauf picking them both up to leave New Zealand 116 for six.

Afridi may have begun quietly, but he ended his spell to raucous cheers, using a slower ball to deceive Tim Seifert with Rauf then picking up Mitchell Santner to leave Pakistan with a target of 135.

Captain Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were not able to repeat their unbeaten partnership against India, the pair adding 28 before Azam was bowled by Tim Southee who claimed his 100th T20I wicket.

With his partner gone, Rizwan was not at his free-flowing best and by the time Zaman was given out lbw on review, he had only made 24 off 26 balls, well below his average strike rate of 130.

Conway then took a world-class catch at full-stretch in the deep to dismiss Hafeez for 11 and Rizwan was next to go, trapped lbw by Ish Sodhi for 33 with Pakistan needing 66 from just over eight overs to win.

Pakistan were faltering before Ali crashed back-to-back maximums off Southee to put the Men in Green back on top and he knocked off the winning runs with eight balls to spare.

Scores in brief

Pakistan beat New Zealand at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah by five wickets.
New Zealand 134/8, in 20 overs (Devon Conway 27, Daryl Mitchell 27; Haris Rauf 4-22, Mohammad Hafeez 1-16)
Pakistan 135/5, in 18.4 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 33, Asif Ali 27 not out; Ish Sodhi 2-28; Tim Southee 1-25)
Player of the Match: Haris Rauf (Pakistan)

 

[Artaxerxes]

A lot of people on this forum were making unfair comments about Malik.This guy has a lot of experience.He is excellent against spin.He can hit big sixes when needed.His only problem is that takes time to get going.In tight games one doesn’t have the luxury to play too dot balls when only 5 or 6 overs are left.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Keep the memes coming

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Can't carry Faihar and Imad, try out reserves for next two games

 

[IMMY69]

Can't carry Faihar and Imad, try out reserves for next two games

What were Imad's bowling figures today?

 

[Savak]

Surprising to see no fire and verbals from the Pakistani players towards NZ players.

 

[IMMY69]

I was against Malik's inclusion.
But today he delivered and so I have to eat a little bit of humble pie.

This team looks like it means business.
Their body language is different and they haven't panicked at all, whether in the field or with the bat.

I hope this continues and we lift the trophy

 

[Amjid Javed]

Can't carry Faihar and Imad, try out reserves for next two games

Imad bowled very well today, his batting was disgraceful and he shouldnt be promoted up order again like that.

 

[t_kaay]

How was the tea.....or should I say SECURITY???

 

[pakistani pride]

Surprising to see no fire and verbals from the Pakistani players towards NZ players.

You didnt see haris thunderbolts or asif smashing 3 sixes?

Let the ball and bat do the talking.

 

[shamaan]

I was against Malik's inclusion.
But today he delivered and so I have to eat a little bit of humble pie.

This team looks like it means business.
Their body language is different and they haven't panicked at all, whether in the field or with the bat.

I hope this continues and we lift the trophy

I think I was only 1 of 10 fans who wanted malik in the team lol.

 

[Saurav]

Pak look unstoppable. Even less heralded players are stepping up

 

[Cric1234]

Pak look unstoppable. Even less heralded players are stepping up

Conditions are playing a big part experience in these type of low to mid scoring matches in UAE is helping hoping for more of the same however we could have peaked played our best matches too early things work in different ways in tournaments.

 

[Space Cat]

Congrats on the win. I didnt see the game but looks like it went as expected.

 

[Golden arm]

Jeez what a bad closing ceremony from the host Haris could not understand that woman's language, why not just use English

She was using artificial Sansirkrit which is Hinduvata version of commonly spoken language hindi across the border. Shows How much India has changed under Modi / BJP. Very sad. Hyper-religiosity and posturing around both sides.

 

[Artaxerxes]

Many Indians on cricket forums(fora) used to make jokes about speed guns used in Pakistan.They did not believe Pakistan had quick biwlers.I hope they will now accept that in Pakistan we have many bowlers who can bowl quick.Shaheen,Haris,Dhani,Hasnain,Musa & Naseen are quick.More are going to come through the system.I am not boasting that these bowlers are the best in the world.All I am saying is that Pakistan has lots of fast bowlers.The guns used in Pakistan are fine.

 

[shobiii]

Match 1: Afridi
Match 2: Rauf
Match 3: Hasan?

 

[shah9425]

Well done boys for fixing security issues keep going

 

[Aman]

Congrats to Pakistan.

Can see us finishing 4th in this group if I'm being honest.

How is the format like? Is there a super 8 or straight to semis?

 

[Aman]

Congrats on the win. I didnt see the game but looks like it went as expected.

Idk what's up, we have the players but the team we pick never inspires confidence.

Really should get Finn Allen into the team and a hitter or two in the middle order.

I know there's another WC next year, but that's in Aus lol and we suck there. Need to really look to improve by then.

 

[Aman]

View attachment 112646

I hope people realize how stupid this is.

Auckland has been in lockdown for over 3 months and will be in it for at least 4 months over 80-90 cases a day, 80% vaccine rate and 5 people in ICU.

Jacinda is ultra safe and it's probably going to cost her the next election if the opposition find a competent leader to challenge her.

 

[street cricketer]

Idk what's up, we have the players but the team we pick never inspires confidence.

Really should get Finn Allen into the team and a hitter or two in the middle order.

I know there's another WC next year, but that's in Aus lol and we suck there. Need to really look to improve by then.

You're going to body us as usual in an ICC tournament and knock us out of the world cup.

 

[Space Cat]

Idk what's up, we have the players but the team we pick never inspires confidence.

Really should get Finn Allen into the team and a hitter or two in the middle order.

I know there's another WC next year, but that's in Aus lol and we suck there. Need to really look to improve by then.

As usual our batting just isnt quite good enough for these conditions. They will improve each game but likely not in time.

We have never really put it together in T20s in any conditions.

 

[Coolcapri]

Great win, Need to take positive and work on mistake, Hassan need to join the party.

 

[Aman]

As usual our batting just isnt quite good enough for these conditions. They will improve each game but likely not in time.

We have never really put it together in T20s in any conditions.

We were pretty bad for a while but thought we had turned a corner of late.

Seems we're a middling team in this format.

 

[the Great Khan]

Great performance from the team and great to see asif finally just letting loose. I think over the years you do get tournaments where some teams just look long in the tooth finally. Seems nz are getting to that point. Same with India. (Bowling mostly in both their cases)

With regards Malik. I'm one of his biggest critics on here. Over the years he has been a massive disappointment for us. However he did very well here and finally after over 20 years he has realised what he needs to do for the team..with regards to hafeez well his bowling is key for us. If he can hit major runs then it's a massive deal for us. I hope they both leave at the end of the tourney with the trophy but time to move on..

 

[Aman]

You're going to body us as usual in an ICC tournament and knock us out of the world cup.

Even so I get the feeling we're losing to Afghanistan.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Great performance from the team and great to see asif finally just letting loose. I think over the years you do get tournaments where some teams just look long in the tooth finally. Seems nz are getting to that point. Same with India. (Bowling mostly in both their cases)

With regards Malik. I'm one of his biggest critics on here. Over the years he has been a massive disappointment for us. However he did very well here and finally after over 20 years he has realised what he needs to do for the team..with regards to hafeez well his bowling is key for us. If he can hit major runs then it's a massive deal for us. I hope they both leave at the end of the tourney with the trophy but time to move on..

I've often wondered about your criticism of Malik, although I can understand why a lot of people don't like him. He's not a classical player by any means, his range of shots is quite limited for example. But I always felt that was more than compensated by his shot selection and batting intelligence. He knows his limitations and finds ways to keep the runs ticking, and he does have big hitting power when required.

Plus most important of all, he has big match temperament. I've seen him score in a lot of tricky situations down the years, and against the toughest opponents. He's not a great player by any means, but he's an important cog considering Pakistan is not blessed with great batsmen.

 

[MenInG]

Fans shouting "security" at NZ players.

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[FollowThru]

Fans shouting "security" at NZ players.

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 100%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/88vl92" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

Watched Imad Wasim saying NZ players couldn't have done anything else, it's not players' fault but more of a govt protocol and if we were in such a situation, we would also have to do as par directions of govt.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

This win is more impressive than the India win. In the India match l, the wicket actually got quicker as the match progressed. Here, it was dead low and slow right until the end.

 

[shaz619]

This win is more impressive than the India win. In the India match l, the wicket actually got quicker as the match progressed. Here, it was dead low and slow right until the end.

That’s a good little boy, go on lad, on the knees and bow to the white and green, the spineless kiwis can join you right behind

 

[Nikhil_cric]

That’s a good little boy, go on lad, on the knees and bow to the white and green, the spineless kiwis can join you right behind

Golden era for Pakistan cricket coming up. Blessing in disguise that we dont play Pakistan often

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Golden era for Pakistan cricket coming up. Blessing in disguise that we dont play Pakistan often

Obviously india scheduled the tournament to get Pak out the way regardless and then go on a streak to lifting their home trophy.. is already done