Fresh from beating arch nemesis India for the first time in World Cup, Pakistan continued their impressive start to T20 World Cup by beating New Zealand by 5 wickets to top Group 2 of Super 12.
Winning the toss Babar Azam put New Zealand to bat and after a steady start by openers, Martin Guptil was sent back by Haris Rauf who cleaned him up.
Spinners Imad Wasim, Hafeez and Shadab stifled the Kiwis, but runs kept coming from Kane Williamson who held an end.
Hasan Ali who was at the receiving end of an expensive spell came back to run out Kane off his own bowling, from then New Zealand struggled to get going.
Haris Rauf was the pick of the bowlers taking 4 wickets and giving just 22 of his allotted 4 overs.
Pakistan Struggle In Chase
This was no flamboyant chase, as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan struggled to get going with Azam losing control and getting bowled by Tim Southee.
Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Hafeez both departed to spinners as Ish Sodhi and Santner tightened the grip on the game.
Rizwan was leading the chase, but fell plumb lbw to Ish Sodhi for 33 runs with 69 runs on the board for the loss of 4 wickets.
Malik and Asif rescue Pakistan
After the departure of Imad Wasim, Pakistan still needed 48 off 5 overs. Stalwart Shoaib Malik guided the chase with experience while Asif Ali played contrary to his reputation.
Asif Ali then showed his destructive ability when 37 were needed from 24 balls, smashing Southee for 2 massive sixes to turn the match in his side’s favour. The next over Shoaib Malik took Santner to the cleaners with a four and a six, leaving just 9 from overs.
And despite being hit in the head in the previous over and pausing for a while Asif Ali hit Trent Boult for a six, lighting up Sharjah and ensuring a second successive win for the Green Shirts.