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A dramatic bowling performance by Umer Gul powered Pakistan to a surprisingly easy victory over New Zealand by 6 wickets to keep their hopes alive in the tournament. Gul was judged ‘Man of the Match’ for an astounding bowling performance in which he took 5 wickets for 6 runs in 18 balls.

Introduced late into the attack, Gul was magical in his spell as he polished off the Kiwis middle order to leave them stranded at only 99. Gul, who earned a Bowling Efficiency of a whopping 500 from the match, was so lethal that only three of the Kiwi batsmen were able to reach double figures and New Zealand was able to score only 27 runs in the last 8 overs. He bowled with venom and was able to purchase good swing from the wicket. He also became the first bowler to take 5 wickets in T20 internationals. Earlier, Abdul Razzaq bowled well to capture two wickets. Pakistan’s bowling efforts were supported by excellent fielding.

Set to chase 100 runs for a win, debutant Shahzaib Hasan (36 runs in 26 balls) and Shahid Afridi (29 runs from 18 balls) made short-work of the meagre target and batted sensibly to steer Pakistan to victory. The win let Pakistan stay in hunt for a semifinal spot from the group.