This World Cup tournament is coming towards a very exciting phase of it. With England lost their last two matches, the tournament is open up for other teams as well. Afghanistan and South Africa are the only two teams till Match 33 who are officially knocked out of this tournament and Australia is the only team who qualified for the semis. Today the match 33 of the World Cup was between unpredictable Pakistan and the undefeated team of this year’s tournament Blackcaps New Zealand. Pakistan won the match by 6 wickets to stay alive in this tournament.
There is a lot of talk about Pakistan’s performance and comparison with the World Cup 1992. New Zealand was undefeated till they faced Pakistan in 1992 World Cup, same was the case in this World Cup 2019. History repeats itself and with all similarities from the World Cup 1992, Pakistan was the first team to beat New Zealand in World Cup 1992. In the World Cup 2019, Pakistan is the first team to beat. This time by 6 wickets. Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Let us see the key highlights of the match 33 between New Zealand and Pakistan.
1. New Zealand’s Poor Start
New Zealand started off poorly as Martin Guptill got inside edge bowled to Mohammad Amir. The skipper Kane Williamson tried to anchor the innings for New Zealand. But out of form in this World Cup Colin Munro failed again in this match and dismissed at 12 on Shaheen Shah Afridi. Ross Taylor and Tom Latham did not trouble the scorer much as they both too fall cheaply at 3 and 1 on the bowling of Shaheen Shah Afridi.
New Zealand was reeling at 46 for 4. James Neesham joined Kane Williamson and they both tried to steady the ship for Blackcaps. But Shadab Khan in 27th over of New Zealand innings got Kane Williamson wicket. The skipper knicked one to the keeper at 41. New Zealand was in deep trouble at 83 for 5.
2. Big 132 Runs 6th Wicket Partnership
At one time, there was a doubt that New Zealand may not able to bat for full 50 overs. But Colin De Grandhomme and James Neesham put together for 132 runs partnership for the 6th wicket. Both batsmen scored half-centuries. This partnership took New Zealand to a respectable and challenging total of 237 for 6. James Neesham remains unbeaten at 97. Colin De Grandhomme was run out on 64. For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi was the pick of the bowler as he took 3 for 28 in his 10 overs. Mohammad Amir and Shadab Khan took 1 wicket each.
3. Pakistan’s Opener Fall Cheaply
Pakistan started aggressively, but Trent Boult got rid of Fakhar Zaman in 3rd over. Fakhar got out on 9. Imam-ul-Haq also did not do much as he got out at 19 on Lockie Fergusson’s bouncer and the catch of the match by Martin Guptill put Pakistan at 44 for 2. Mohammad Hafeez along with Babar tried to anchor this run chase for Pakistan, but Mohammad Hafeez again got out on a part-timer in this World Cup. This time Kane Williamson dismissed him on 32.
4. Pakistan Fight Back
Haris Sohail the last match man of the match for Pakistan joined Babar Azam and the duo put the match-winning 126 runs partnership. Babar Azam scored an unbeaten century and took Pakistan home. For New Zealand, Trent Boult, Kan Williamson, and Lockie Fergusson took one wicket each.
5. Babar Azam – Man Of The Match
For his amazing knock of 101 runs in 127 balls, Babar Azam was declared as the Man of the Match.
New Zealand will play their next match against Australia on June 29 at Lords. While Pakistan will play against Afghanistan on the same day June 29 at Leeds. Tomorrow we have India play against West Indies at Manchester. the same ground where India defeated Pakistan in this year’s World Cup.
You can also watch the key moments from the World Cup matches. How much you know about the World Cup? Here are some amazing facts about the World Cup. Stay Tune with Entertales for the key moments of all the matches of the World Cup.
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