(Cricket news) Important cameos from Mohammad Nawaz and Haider Ali helped Pakistan beat New Zealand in the final of the tri-series. Pakistan were struggling in the run chase of 164 at the halfway mark with the top three taking up 64 deliveries to score 68. However, the Pakistan middle order shone as Nawaz and Haider turned the game around with a flurry of boundaries before Iftikhar Ahmed provided the finishing touches to give Pakistan a much needed confidence boost ahead of the World Cup.

For once, the Pakistani top order didn't really click as they both hit a boundary each in the opening two overs to get the chase underway but slowed down thereafter once Michael Bracewell was introduced in the powerplay as he gave away just two runs and followed it up with Babar Azam's wicket. No boundaries were hit in the last three overs of the powerplay as Pakistan only made 33 in those six overs. Shan Masood endured a torrid time before finally he scored a couple of much-needed boundaries, Pakistan had just 64 on the board and needed 100 in the next ten overs. Bracewell then removed Masood and Rizwan's but the two wickets turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Pakistan in the end.

Mohammad Nawaz was promoted up the order after scoring an unbeaten 45 against Bangladesh in the last match. He repaid the management's faith and to the rescue of Pakistan as at the other end, Haider Ali smashed a six off his second ball to get the chase back on track. Pakistan needed 67 from the final six overs as the duo fetched 25 runs from the 15th over bowled by Ish Sodhi to turn the game on its head. That over was followed by Haider fetching successive boundaries off Tim Southee as Pakistan put themselves in pole position. Nawaz's promotion has worked wonders now for Pakistan  and Haider coming to the party is certainly very good news for Pakistani fans. Haider got out after scoring a 15-ball 31 but Iftikhar Ahmed came in with a vital cameo to finish the match in emphatic fashion by hitting a six in the final over.

In the first innings, Devon Conway failed as Pakistan did well to keep him quiet after Finn Allen hit three boundaries and got out in the first over. However, New Zealand management will be pleased with the fact that their skipper Kane Williamson got going right from the start. Williamson took on Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah to race to 16 off 5 before Conway got out cheaply. In the middle order, Phillips and Mark Chapman made handy contributions but it was Williamson who made crucial runs as he made a classy fifty. The skipper hit a six to race to fifty as New Zealand looked primed to touch 190 but it was all down to Pakistan's excellent comeback with the ball right at the death which pegged back New Zealand. Pakistan managed to get Williamson's wicket in the 16th over which was a match defining moment as New Zealand managed to add just 33 in the final five overs that paved the way for Pakistan to come back into the match..

Pakistan168 for 5 (Nawaz 38*, Rizwan 34, Bracewell 2-14) beat New Zealand 163 for 7 (Williamson 59, Rauf 2-22, Naseem 2-38) by five wickets

Also read: ICC to promote gender equality in tie-up with UNICEF