(Cricket news) Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 5 wickets with 8 balls to spare. The game wasn't as one sided as the final result suggests until the last 5 overs. Pakistan have now beaten the two big boys in group 2. They are now in prime position to finish top of the table and qualify for the semi finals. 

Babar Azam once again won the toss and decided to bowl first. Harris Rauf ran riot as New Zealand could only manage 134/8 in 20 overs. Rauf took 4 wickets and gave away only 22 runs. Shaheen Afridi, Mohammed Hafeez and Imad Wasim also took a wicket each. Daryl Mitchell and Devon Conway each scored 37 runs while skipper Kane Williamson got less than a run a ball 35. Pakistan kept picking wickets at regular intervals and didn't allow the Kiwi batters to settle. 

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Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan started the chase and put together 28 runs in 5 overs. Veteran Tim Southee got a very crucial breakthrough by getting rid of the Pakistan skipper in the 6th over. Rizwan was accompanied for a while by Fakhar Zaman before Ish Sodhi trapped him in front. New Zealand picked up wickets of Mohammad Hafeez and Mohammad Rizwan in quick succession to get back in the game. Shoaib Malik and Imad Wasim built a very cautious partnership before Wasim was trapped in front by Trent Boult. New Zealand had gotten themselves back into the game but Asif Ali had other ideas. The right hander scored a quick fire 27 off just 12 balls hitting 1 four and 3 sixes. He was supported by the experienced Shoaib Malik to guide Pakistan to an invaluable victory.

Pakistan will be heavy favourites in their next game against Afghanistan on Friday. New Zealand on the other hand play India in what has become an extremely crucial game which might decide the outcome of the group.