Mohali: New Zealand cruised into the semifinals of the ICC World Twenty20 with a comfortable 22-run win over Pakistan after opener Martin Guptill set the tone with a scintillating 48-ball 80 here today, continuing their dream run in the mega event.
Opting to bat after the coin landed in skipper Kane Williamson's favour, New Zealand rode on Guptill's knock to notch up a formidable 180 for five in the stipulated 20 overs.
In reply, Pakistan were restricted to 158 for five, further dampening their prospects of securing a last-four berth in the mega-event.
Chasing a stiff target, Pakistan were given a flying start by Sharjeel Khan, who blazed away to 47 off just 25 balls with the help of nine boundaries and a six.
Such was Sharjeel's onslaught that Pakistan were well past 50-run mark by the end of the fourth over at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium.
Even as Sharjeel was dealing in boundaries, his opening partner Ahmed Shehzad rotated the strike around while finding the fence occasionally.
Pakistan were cruising at 65 for no loss in the sixth over when Sharjeel, going for one too many, mistimed and ended up giving a catch to Guptill off the bowling of Adam Milne, giving his team the much-needed breakthrough.
Mitchell Santner gave New Zealand another break when the left-arm spinner had Shehzad, once again caught by Guptill for 30 in the ninth over with Pakistan at 79 for two.
Khalid Latif, who was brought in place of Mohammad Hafeez, fell cheaply to Santner (2/29), the spinner continuing his impressive run in the tournament.
As Pakistan suddenly found themselves on the backfoot, skipper Shahid Afridi revived hopes with a couple of quick boundaries and a massive six.
However, his dismissal by leg-spinner Ish Sodhi in the 16th over left the team in a spot of bother at 123 for four. Corey Anderson took a well-judged catch at long-off as Pakistan's middle-order found it difficult to score at a quick rate. Sodi bowled economically to finish his four-over spell with figures of 1/25.
Even as the pressure was building up and the required run rate rising, the New Zealanders looked to bowl to a disciplined line and length. The pressure got to Umar Akmal (24) who, while trying to break the shackles, offered a catch off Milne. Shoaib Malik and Sarfraz Ahmed were unbeaten on 15 and 11 respectively when the match ended.
