Scorecard:

New Zealand: 133 for 7 (20 overs)

(Vettori 38 off 34 balls, B McCullum 33 off 29 balls, Styris 21 off 17 balls, Rehman 2 for 19, Sami 2 for 25, Afridi for 29)

Pakistan: 132 for 7 (20 overs)

(Salman Butt 67* off 54 balls, Razzak 29 off 29 balls, Butler 3 for 19, Mills 2 for 33)

New Zealand put up an unimpressive show. They walked through their overs average on and around 6 rpo. It was only in the second half of their innings that Vettori came together with Styris to add 40 runs but at no more than 8 rpo. Overall a rather pedestrian stuff was dished out by the batsmen against some inspired bowling by Pakistan speedsters and later on by Afridi. The stage was set for Pakistan to take their first step towards the Semi Finals.

Salman Butt did his part and didn’t allow any bowler to get his goatee. However, they lost 5 wickets before 10 overs were done. Thereafter Abdul Razzak joined Butt and they staged a come back. However, they choked a lot and their partnership of 53 runs took 8.1 overs! So by now 2.1 overs were left with 23 runs to get. Though possible, it was not an easy task. It was always going to be touch and go. And Pakistan did reach there. They were 1 run behind with 1 ball to go. However, Rehman was not the man for this occasion and he was on strike. He heaved, and found the fielder!

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