They're there! Pakistan have beaten New Zealand by five wickets tonight and stormed back to the top of the table. How quickly did Asif Ali turn that game around. Phenomenal ball-striking on a day when the ball never really came onto the bat
New Zealand vs Pakistan, 19th Match, Group 2 at Sharjah, T20 World Cup, Oct 26 2021 - Ball by Ball Commentary
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"It's always good to win, we'll take this confidence forward in the tournament. The way the bowlers, Shaheen and Haris Rauf especially bowled was very impressive," Babar says. "I think we gave them 10 runs too many, but it's cricket and that can happen. We lost wickets early, but I want to give credit to Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali. Every game is crucial. We want to take it game by game and do well in all departments of the game."
"It's very disappointing. at the end," Williamson says. "Unfortunately we couldn't nail things towards the back end but we were up against a very good side in Pakistan and congratulations to them," Williamson says. "It's quite clear as soon as we missed our lengths that there was some value for our shots. It's a very strong Pakistan side and certainly one to watch. It's the way it goes, the margins are small. We'll pick ourselves up and be ready for the next challenge."
Haris Rauf is the Player of the Match. "I want to thank Allah. The team fielded very well and supported the bowlers. The fans supported us throughout and helped us to this win", Haris says. "I've been playing here for two years. We support each other and discuss our plans with each other. That gives us confidence and support. Guptill's dismissal was the key one. They were building momentum at that time. I just want to thank Lahore Qalandars, too, who supported me a lot. They're the reason I'm here."
The New Zealand and Pakistan players shake hands, and Pakistan will feel they're on the brink of the last four now. It's been two dominant performances, and they'll be glad to have their middle and lower order tested tonight.
Faizaan : "Mocked, belittled, dropped throughout Pakistan, but Asif has risen to the occasion and won a match for Pakistan at the greatest stages of All... "
back of a length and absolutely heaved over wide long-on - all the way! Asif Ali is on fire in Sharjah tonight! Little wrong with the delivery but that blow puts Pakistan two away
struck on the pads
The physio's out to check on Asif once more. Doesn't look 100%, might not be the worst idea if he came off
had another hoick at it. Mistimed, but it's another run knocked off
dot ball to close out the over but the damage has been done. Pakistan need 9 off 12 now
Niraj Kheria: "@Nit Cric: Don't underestimate Afghanistan. They can be the giant killers in this WC"
another little dab into the onside and Pakistan race back for two. The momentum's all Pakistan's now
chipped into the onside, and, with the damage done, gets to the other end
high and long! Six! Pakistan have got this in the bag now, you'd think. Dances down the ground and deposits Santner over the sightscreen
goes fuller and flights it a bit more. Malik nurdles it into the onside and rushes back for two
four! beats point and that's the perfect start to the over for Pakistan. Went flat rather than flighting it up, and Malik had time to place it
Nit Cric: "New Zealand winning this will make the group interesting. Otherwise, Sunday is quarterfinals between India and New Zealand." Well, that would be very interesting, too, wouldn't it?
pace on once more and the bouncer whacks Asif on the helmet. Fantastic comeback by Southee. Asif's down and the bowler goes to check in on him
swing and a miss. Got some extra bounce off the surface, Asif's attempted hook doesn't connect
that was bowled at pace and it rushes onto Asif. Struck on the pads, New Zealand review. It looks too high. Yep, it's missing comfortably, Asif survives
another slower ball, another six!. This over's seeing Pakistan storm back into the driver's seat, and Asif's the man who's taking them there. Pace off again, Asif waited again, and smashed him back over his head, again
powered down the ground for six! Slower ball from Southee that Asif saw coming a mile off. Clears long-off comfortably, that was very sweetly struck
Hasham: "Pakistan doing Pakistani thing. Nervousness creeping in and no nails left."
gives him no pace to work with, just 105 kph. Slashed into the offside
Cricket Simplet: "Asif ali, Haider ali and Ifthikar ahmed, kushdil shah, Hussain talat, danish aziz.. Bunch and bunch of players tried for that Pakistan's 5 and 6 spot that never settled.. This has been the achilles heel of pakistan till date."
Sodhi went further down leg and Malik's heave only hits the pad
went after this one, though, and has success. It's flighted up, which probably isn't wise to do against Malik. He skips down the track and wallops it to the square leg boundary
tried to swipe it over square leg with no luck. Malik looks a bit rusty here
comes down the ground and yorks himself, almost. Pushed to the offside
Over 19 • PAK 135/5
Pakistan won by 5 wickets (with 8 balls remaining)