New Zealand beat Pakistan by 51 runs

New Delhi: After conceding 99 runs in the last 10 overs and in a match that looked beyond Pakistan’s reach as their batsmen continued to lose the plot earlier, New Zealand beat them by 51 runs, and almost certainly booked their place in the semi-final in Mohali on Wednesday.

The win also confirms Sri Lanka are out of the Champions Trophy, with just a solitary win in the group stages.

Pakistan would certainly have been struck in the jaws when they gave away a winning plot, giving away runs aplenty during the latter overs.

And the batsmen were given a massive jolt when Imran Farhat was sent packing for six runs with the score at 22 by Kiwi spearhead Shane Bond.

While Mohammed Hafeez held the strings together from his end and smacked some delectable strokes to the boundary, skipper Younis Khan couldn’t quite manage to so, square-cutting straight to point fielder Lou Vincent for just two.

The momentum gathered by Hafeez was kept up and along with Mohammad Yousuf at the crease, the duo moved along smoothly, seeing off the initial 10 overs at more than five an over.

But the young opener’s heroics were short lived for a spirited 43 by a sharp diving catch from wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum off Jacob Oram, who was just brought into the attack, Pakistan now 65 for three.

The fall of the third Pakistani wicket meant a shuffle in the batting order, as the murderous Shahid Afridi walked into the crease.

The stage was set and the man who could seize the moment was out in the middle. The characteristic wallop was not far away, and he smashed Bond for four over the top of cover.

Another attempt though was to be his undoing, as Bond himself clasped a skier while Oram got his second for the wickets column, the Pakistanis reeling at 83 for four.

The combination of Yousuf and Shoaib Malik provided much-needed stability to the Pakistani scorecard, as the two went about cutting down on the runs required, and countering the humid, dewy conditions in Mohali.

Supersoppers, ‘drawing room carpets’, handkerchiefs et al were out on the field in a gallant effort to squeeze the dew out of the ball on the park, the Kiwis tightening the screws courtesy Daniel Vettori, and the Pakistanis were feeling the heat of the ever-rising asking rate.

More Headlines from News

• Under-19 sensation extends IPL contract

• Sri Lanka to tour Pakistan in two segments

• Tendulkar peps up Mumbai ahead of Ranji final

• Stars on sale but IPL franchises keen on rookies

• PCB's contract to Shoaib raises stink