Pakistan beat NZ in survival match making task harder for Bangladesh

The critically positioned Pakistan must win the match to maintain a realistic chance of reaching the semi-finals.

Babar Azam struck an unbeaten 101 off 127 balls as Pakistan reached 241-4 after restricting New Zealand to 237-6 owing to a brilliant opening spell of Shaheen Afridi at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground.

Pakistan’s third win in the tournament left them exactly with the same situation of 1992 when they made it to the semi-final and eventually won the title despite a torrid start.

It also left New Zealand waiting to book their semi-final spot and more crucially made the task harder for Bangladesh, who must now win their remaining two matches and hope some favours from others.

If England and Sri Lanka lose points in their remaining matches while Bangladesh and Pakistan win their next match, Bangladesh’s last league match against Pakistan on July 5 at Lord’s will turn into a virtual quarter-final.

Bangladesh can progress to the semi-final even if they lose to India on July 2 in their next match but must beat Pakistan, though the result of a lot of other matches have to come to their way for it to happen.

For Bangladesh to qualify for the semi-final with just one win in their next two matches, Pakistan now have to lose against Afghanistan and England have to lose against both India and New Zealand while Sri Lanka have to lose two of their remaining three matches respectively against South Africa, West Indies and India.

Things on the other hands have become relatively easier for Pakistan, who only need to beat Afghanistan on Saturday and see England and Sri Lanka lose points before they face Bangladesh.

Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed: "The crowd always support us and get behind the team. Thank you very much to all the supporters. Fielding is very important, we had not fielded well as a unit in previous matches but worked hard and the way we took catches was great.

"Whenever we are in a corner we play our best, it was a great team effort. All the bowlers bowled well and there was some of the finest batting I have ever seen. 240 was not an easy target and we just wanted to play the 50 overs. Babar played one of the best innings I have ever seen. They handled the pressure so well.

"We are not thinking about 1992, we are going match by match."

Pakistan openers went back early, but middle order batsmen Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez are looking to build a partnership to chase New Zealand's 237 runs in Edgbaston Birmingham.

Earlier, New Zealand's all-rounder duo Jimmy Neesham and Colin Grandhomme fought back and posted a fighting total of 237 against Pakistan.

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi took three wickets, while Neesham remained unbeaten with 97 runs.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan on Wednesday.

The toss of the 33rd 2019 ICC World Cup match had delayed by one hour due to wet outfield at Birmingham.

Kane Williamson's side are undefeated at the tournament in England and Wales, with five wins in six games, plus one no result.

New Zealand captain Kane WIlliamson: "The surfaces in the last three games have been difficult and we were outplayed on a tough surface by a strong side.

"There was more bounce than we expected, they put the ball in the right areas. The fight we showed in the back end was outstanding and we were in a competitive position. We were right in it but their batsmen played beautifully well and took the game away from us.

"There are so many games in the round robin you can't win them all."

Kamruzzaman