Fakhar Zaman and skipper Babar Azzam featured as Pakistan pulled off a sensational, downpour hit 21-run triumph over New Zealand to remain alive at the Cricket World Cup.


After New Zealand had stacked up a mammoth 401-6 in the match on Saturday in Bengaluru, Pakistan were 160-1 in the 21st over when downpour brought a stoppage.

Set an updated focus of 342 off 41 overs, Zaman had moved to 126 and Azam was in 66 with their group on 200-1 in the 26th over when the downpour returned, this time finishing the game and Pakistan proclaimed the victors as they were in front of the necessary rate.

Pakistan and New Zealand both have eight focuses and stay in conflict for elimination round spots with a match each left to play in the gathering stage.


India and South Africa have previously wrapped up two of the elimination round places. That has left Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Afghanistan in the race for the last two spots.

Prior, Rachin Ravindra crushed his third ton of the World Cup while a fit-again Kane Williamson compensated for some recent setbacks with a 95 as New Zealand posted a directing 401-6 from 50 overs.

Ravindra, who was brought into the world in Wellington to Indian guardians from Bengaluru, charmed the neighborhood fans with estimated stroke play and gave snapshots of sorcery to go beyond 500 runs On the planet Cup with a 94-ball 108 that included 15 fours and a six.


Rachin Ravindra 





The 23-year-old sewed together a 180-run organization with chief Williamson while Daryl Mitchell (29), Imprint Chapman (39), Glenn Phillips (41) and Mitchell Santner (26 not out) terminated to grow the New Zealand complete to 401-6 out of 50 overs.

Babar's choice to bowl first in the wake of winning the throw had caused a stir as New Zealand made a blazing beginning at the M Chinnaswamy Arena with opening batsmen Devon Conway and Ravindra overwhelming the powerplay.


Hasan Ali, who supplanted Usama Mir to give the 1992 bosses an additional speed choice, had Conway gotten behind for 35 to end the pair's 68-run stand and carry Williamson to the wicket.


Playing his most memorable match since supporting a cracked thumb against Bangladesh last month, Williamson played with the bowlers and gave the ideal foil to Ravindra prior to releasing, having made his final part century of the competition.