New Zealand became the first team to book their place in the ICC World Twenty20 semi-finals after Martin Guptill’s big-hitting and more fine spin bowling proved key against Pakistan.
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Guptill also combined with Corey Anderson (21) for a third-wicket stand of 52 that set the platform for Ross Taylor (36 not out) to finish with a flourish. Playing powergame, Afridi scored 19 runs from just nine balls and hit two fours and one six.
Shahid Afridi and Mohammad Sami bagged two wickets each for Pakistan.
For Pakistan, Mohammad Hafeez sat out following a bone contusion in his femur, while fast bowler Wahab Riaz was down with a neck injury at practice.
Shahid Afridi, after losing to New Zealand, said that his side’s next game against Australia could be his last in Pakistan colours.
He was the first of Pakistan’s wickets to fall and when he was dismissed in the sixth over the momentum slowly began to shift the way of the New Zealanders.
When former Pakistan cricket captain and now commentator Rameez Raja asked Afridi the team was surprised by the support from the crowds in Mohali, Afridi said that “a lot of people are here for Kashmir ” “. After they chose to bat first, Martin Guptill (80) again got off to an aggressive start, but this time carried on for a longer period of time.
During Pakistan’s last few matches right from the Asia Cup, they have been heavily dependent on Amit to make early inroads into the opposition.
A resurgent New Zealand will be eyeing a semi-final berth when they take on a deflated Pakistan in a World Twenty20 group match in Mohali on Tuesday. This helped New Zealand pile up a huge total.
In the end Pakistan, like India and Australia before them, couldn’t find their way past New Zealand’s bowling attack at the death. It was the difference between New Zealand finishing with 180 for five and not crossing the 200-mark.
Afridi himself had planned to retire from T20I cricket after this tournament but in fashion true to form the all-rounder went into the competition saying he may well stay on after all.
Mitchell Santner, the left-arm spinner, then had Ahmed Shehzad, caught by Guptill for 30 in the 9th over with Pakistan at 79-2. “They (spinners) have been very consistent, very smart”, said Williamson.
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Pakistan looked comfortable in their chase of 181 at the beginning of their innings, but the rest of the team failed to build on Sharjeel Khan and Ahmed Shehzad’s opening partnership of 65.
