(Photo) Pakistan bolster qualification hopes with consecutive wins

Asif Ali’s late flourish and Shoaib Malik’s calm and composed ways helped Pakistan to ease past New Zealand’s total rather comfortably in the T20 World Cup. What looked like a tricky chase till the 16th over was turned on its head with successive sixes by Asif Ali off Tim Southee’s last over, after the seamer had bowled three tidy overs upfront. Pakistan hunted down 135 with eight balls to spare and five wickets in hand.

The foundation of the victory was laid by Haris Rauf, who bowled with great pace and snared four wickets to restrict New Zealand to a below-par total. With two wins in two matches, Pakistan are well on course to qualify for the semifinals.