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Pakistan Vs New Zealand Match Update
Play called off and Pakistan win! A sensational result in Bangalore that keeps them alive in the tournament, and keeps the race for the semis still open. On the other hand, the defeat for New Zealand also means that South Africa becomes the second team to qualify. But there are still two spots up for grabs.
Trust Pakistan to throw up a surprise or two when you least expect it. So here they are again, still not out of it, and still taking their fight right to the end. Will the stars align for them to go through? Let’s dive into the game and explore the impact of Fakhar Zaman’s performance and how it contributed to this thrilling victory.
Fakhar Zaman and the Decision to Warm the Bench
It baffles many why Fakhar Zaman was left sitting on the bench for Pakistan. Virender Sehwag, former Indian cricketer, even expressed his confusion. Zaman has proven himself to be a formidable player in the past, making his absence all the more puzzling. Perhaps the team management had their reasons, but it’s clear that his exclusion raised a lot of eyebrows.
Pakistan’s World Cup Hopes Hinge on Fakhar Zaman’s Shoulder
Dinesh Karthik, renowned commentator, rightly pointed out that Pakistan’s World Cup hopes depend on Fakhar Zaman’s shoulder. His explosive batting style and ability to score runs quickly are crucial for the team’s success. As we witnessed in the match against New Zealand, Zaman’s innings of 11 sixes played a vital role in securing victory for Pakistan. He turned the tide of the game and set a remarkable record for most sixes by a Pakistan batter in an ODI innings.
New Zealand vs Pakistan: An Intense Battle
In the highly anticipated match between New Zealand and Pakistan, we witnessed a thrilling contest. Both teams fought hard to gain the upper hand, but ultimately, Pakistan emerged victorious. The ground in Bengaluru proved to be too small for Fakhar Zaman, who utilized the short boundary to his advantage. Despite the rain-shortened match, both teams showed great determination and gave themselves every chance of success.
Fakhar Zaman’s Heroics and Player of the Match
Fakhar Zaman’s magnificent innings of 11 sixes against New Zealand in Bengaluru will go down as one of the best performances in ODI cricket. Although he admitted to being lucky at times, Zaman’s aggressive mindset and determination to score runs played a crucial role in securing the win for Pakistan. He deservedly received the Player of the Match award for his outstanding contribution.
Semi-final Qualification and Remaining Spots
With their victory over New Zealand, Pakistan keeps their hopes alive in the tournament. On the other hand, South Africa has become the second team to qualify for the semi-finals. However, with two spots still up for grabs, the competition remains fierce. The upcoming matches will be crucial for teams vying to secure their place in the semi-finals, and the race is far from over.
Conclusion
In an electrifying match between New Zealand and Pakistan, Pakistan emerged as the victors by 21 runs via the DLS method. Fakhar Zaman’s explosive batting and record-breaking performance of 11 sixes were instrumental in Pakistan’s success. This thrilling victory keeps Pakistan alive in the tournament and makes the race for the semi-finals wide open. As the World Cup progresses, every match becomes a do-or-die situation for teams, and we can expect more nail-biting encounters that will shape the fate of the tournament.
References:
- Virender Sehwag’s tweet
- Dinesh Karthik’s comments
- New Zealand v Pakistan match preview
- Player of the Match interview
- Statistical analysis by Shashikant Singh