In a historic showdown at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Pakistan scripted an astonishing victory, defeating New Zealand by 21 runs via the DLS method.
Earlier while batting first, New Zealand exhibited a batting spectacle, culminating in a monumental total of 401 for 6 within their allocated 50 overs.
Rachin Ravindra’s exceptional century, amassing an unbeaten 108 runs, alongside Kane Williamson’s powerful 95, paved the way for the Kiwis.
Despite their fierce batting display, Pakistan’s Mohammad Wasim Jr. emerged as the standout bowler, claiming three pivotal wickets.
In response to New Zealand’s formidable target, Pakistan commenced their chase, displaying resilience and fortitude.
At 200 for 1, rain played spoilsport, forcing an interruption in their innings. As per the DLS method’s calculations, Pakistan held a 21-run advantage, securing them the victory.
The heroics of Fakhar Zaman, who notched up an impressive 126 runs off just 81 balls, and Babar Azam’s significant contribution of 66 runs, guided Pakistan’s charge.
Following the early loss of Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman and skipper Babar Azam orchestrated an unbroken 194-run partnership for the second wicket, positioning Pakistan in a commanding position.
Rachin Ravindra’s third century in the 2023 Cricket World Cup was an instrumental factor in New Zealand’s monumental total, marking an outstanding performance in a high-scoring thriller.
The use of the DLS method in the match emphasized its significance in adjusting target scores in rain-interrupted or affected matches.
With this exhilarating win, Pakistan’s triumph over New Zealand has paved the way for South Africa to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
As the tournament progresses, South Africa holds firm in second place on the points table with 14 points from seven matches, securing their spot in the semi-finals.
The tournament’s landscape is now poised for an intense battle for the final two semi-final positions, with Australia, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Pakistan battling for those coveted spots. The competition intensifies as the quest for the semi-finals reaches a thrilling climax.
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