The age is around 40. Even then, Pakistan brought him back to the World Cup squad. And Shoaib Malik gave proof of why he brought it. He ignited at the very necessary moment of the team. Asif Ali played a great cameo. Earlier, Harris Rauf had laid the foundation of the victory with the ball. In that, Pakistan got a thrilling victory against New Zealand.


 Pakistan beat New Zealand by 5 wickets at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. The Kiwis batted first and scored 134 runs for 8 wickets. In reply, Babar Azam's team reached the target with 6 balls left.

 However, New Zealand has fought well by throwing small goals. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, the two openers who brought down India, were sent back before they could make a big loss. However, Mohammad Hafeez's catch could have been the turning point of the match. Devon Conway jumped into the boundary line. However, all their efforts ended in the devastating batting of experienced Malik and Asif.

 But on this day Pakistan's opening pair was broken by 26 runs. Tim Southee broke the tie by returning captain Babar Azam who was in a great rhythm. Even after that, they got wickets at regular intervals. Fakhar Zaman, Hafiz, and Imad Wasim could not survive.

 The big push came from the team's 69 runs. Another informed batsman Mohammad Rizwan was caught in the lbw trap by Ish Sudhir. However, Malik's unbroken 48-run stand with Asif Ali for the sixth wicket ensured Pakistan's victory.

 Rizwan scored the highest 33 runs for the team. He made this run with the help of 5 fours from 34 balls. Asif's unbeaten 27 runs came from the bat. Asif smashed his innings with 1 four and 3 sixes in just 12 balls. Malik remained unbeaten on 28 off 20 balls with two fours and one six.

 Earlier, after losing the toss, New Zealand started batting first. Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell opened the innings with 36 runs. Then the team fell in the cannon of Harris Rauf. As a result, the team lost 3 to add 20 runs to the scoreboard.

 Captain Ken Williamson took the helm of the team with Devon Conway for the fourth wicket. They tried to cope with the pressure of 34 runs. However, the pair broke up when Williamson said goodbye to Hasan Ali's great throw. After the departure of the captain, Conway made a pair of 26 runs with Glenn Phillips. The Kiwis have the capital to fight.

 Mitchell and Conway scored the highest 26 runs for the team. However, Mitchell was a bit aggressive. He hit 1 four and 2 sixes off 20 balls. Conway played his innings of 24 balls with 3 fours. Besides, Williamson made 25 runs off 27 balls with 2 fours and 1 six.

 Harris Rauf bowled brilliantly. He took 4 wickets for 22 runs in 4 overs. Shahin Shah Afridi, who destroyed India in the previous match, got 1 wicket for 21 runs in 4 overs. Besides, Imad Wasim and Mohammad Hafeez took one wicket each. However, everyone was bowling in a controlled manner and the goal was within reach.