Journalism of Courage
New Zealand became the first team to book a spot in the World Twenty20 semi-finals after opener Martin Guptill smashed his 10th fifty in the game's shortest format to set up a 22-run win against Pakistan in their Super 10 stage match in Mohali on Tuesday. It was a crucial game for Pakistan as the Asian giants desperately needed a win on Monday to keep their road to semis on the right track. That, however, didn't happen. (Source: PTI)
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. The right-handed Guptill hit 10 fours and three sixes in his 48-ball 80, sharing an opening stand of 62 with captain Kane Williamson. Guptill played some delightful strokes during his innings, the one in the 'V' being the most impressive. He was hitting them clean and hitting them big. (Source: PTI)
The opening stand set the tone of the New Zealand innings. Williamson played the sensible hand - giving strike to Guptill and not doing anything silly in the middle. The New Zealand skipper was out after scoring a 21-ball 17 but he had ensured New Zealand got off to a brilliant start on good batting conditions in Mohali. There was not much spin or seam and the ball was coming nicely onto the bat - making it easier to hit through the line of the delivery. (Source: PTI)
Martin Guptill, however, stood out and gave the platform New Zealand would have wanted. He got out after scoring a 48-ball 80 but allowed the lower middle-order to come in and express themselves. He was heading towards a well-deserved 100 before he played a Sami delivery back onto his stumps. (Source: Reuters)
After Guptill's wicket, Pakistan slipped in some tight overs and picked few wickets in the process to keep the Kiwis to 180/5, they were looking good for 200 when Guptill was out there in the middle. Ross Taylor injected life into the innings towards the end with a 23-ball 36. He hit two fours and one six during his stay in the middle. (Source: Reuters)
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. (Source: Reuters)
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. (Source: PTI)
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. (Source: Reuters)
