Pakistan beats New Zealand by six wickets at Edgbaston
Pakistan enhanced its reputation as the most unpredictable team in international cricket with a stunning six-wicket victory that kept its World Cup semi-final hopes alive, ruined New Zealand’s perfect record and heaped more pressure on hosts England.
Babar Azam hit his 10th ODI century, finishing 101 not out off 127 balls, as Pakistan reached 4-241 in 49.1 overs in reply to New Zealand’s 6-237.
It was the Black Caps’ first loss after five wins and a no result.
Every boundary — 11 of them from Babar — produced a huge roar and a sea of green flags in the stands as an overwhelmingly Pakistan-supporting crowd had a day to remember at Edgbaston.
Babar shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 126 with Haris Sohail, who was run out by Martin Guptill for a 76-ball 68 in the penultimate over after hitting five fours and two sixes.
Babar also put on 66 for the third wicket with Mohammad Hafeez (32).
Pakistan moved level on seven points with Bangladesh, one point behind fourth-place England, which has lost its last two games.
The top four in the 10-team standings advance to the semi-finals.
The New Zealanders chased down South Africa’s 6-241 on the same Edgbaston wicket a week earlier. Pakistan, which is not seen as a run-chasing specialist in this format, also went to the last over on Wednesday, but on this occasion it was much more comfortable.
Pakistan started its chase quickly — maybe too quickly — on an overcast day with the floodlights on. Trent Boult (1-48) won the battle of the lefthanders when opener Fakhar Zaman (9) was caught by Guptill after an edge went high into the air with the total on 19.
