Pakistan crush New Zealand as semi-final race intensifies

HARARE: Pakistan kept their ICC World Cup semi-final hopes alive with a dominant eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in their Super Sixes Group 2 clash at the Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.

The win, coupled with India’s massive triumph over Zimbabwe earlier in the day, has narrowed the race for the semi-final spots from Group 2 to three teams — India, England and Pakistan — setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown between India and Pakistan on Sunday.

Chasing a modest target of 111, Pakistan made light work of the task, reaching the total in 17.1 overs in a commanding all-round performance. The result leaves Pakistan third on the Group 2 points table behind India and England, but their healthy net run-rate of +1.484 could prove crucial if the standings tighten at the top.

After opting to field first, Pakistan’s pace attack exploited the helpful seaming conditions to perfection. Ali Raza struck early to remove Marco Alpe leg before wicket and went on to finish with figures of 3 for 36 from his seven overs. Abdul Subhan produced a match-defining spell, tearing through the New Zealand batting line-up with outstanding figures of 4 for 11 in 6.3 overs.

New Zealand struggled to build momentum as Pakistan’s bowlers kept striking at regular intervals. Opener Hugo Bogue was the lone bright spot for the Black Caps, scoring a brisk 36 that included six fours and two sixes, but the lack of partnerships saw New Zealand bowled out cheaply.

In reply, Pakistan were led by rising star Sameer Minhas, who registered his second consecutive half-century of the tournament. Minhas played a composed yet aggressive knock of 76 not out from 59 balls, smashing 10 fours and two sixes, and sealed the win in style with a six straight down the ground.

India Outclass Zimbabwe

Earlier, India surged to the top of the Group 2 standings with a thumping 204-run win over Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

Batting first after being put in, India got off to a flying start through openers Aaron George and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who added 44 runs quickly. While George fell early, Sooryavanshi continued the assault, bringing up his half-century before Zimbabwe briefly clawed their way back by dismissing the 14-year-old prodigy and Vedant Trivedi within five overs.

Vihaan Malhotra and Abhigyan Kundu then took control, stitching together a crucial partnership to push India firmly ahead. Malhotra went on to score the tournament’s first century, while Kundu’s 61 off 62 balls kept the momentum going. A late cameo from Khilan A. Patel, who struck 30 off just 12 deliveries, powered India to a formidable total of 352 for 8 in their 50 overs.

Zimbabwe’s chase never gained traction as they lost early wickets, including Nathaniel Hlabangana, Dhruv Patel and Brendon Senzere. Although Leeroy Chiwaula showed resistance with a fighting half-century, regular strikes from Ayush Mhatre and Udhav Mohan, who claimed three wickets each, triggered a lower-order collapse and saw Zimbabwe bowled out for 148.

With only one Super Sixes fixture remaining, the focus now shifts to the decisive encounters that will determine the two semi-finalists from Group 2.