5 memorable moments from the New Zealand-Pakistan match that don't fade away
New Zealand became the first side to guarantee their place in the semi-finals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2016with their third straightwin in the group stages, defeating Pakistan by 22 runs at Mohali on Tuesday.Martin Guptills 48-ball 80 powered the Black Caps to 180/5 and though Sharjeel Khans breezy cameo of 47 gave Pakistan a quick start, the run chase fizzled out dramatically as the Asian country succumbed to their second straight loss.Pakistan failed to score a boundary in the latter five over of the innings a measure of not just how the Pakistani batsmen struggled late on but also an indication of how well the young New Zealand side has been bowling under the pro-active captaincy of Kane Williamson.There were several unforgettable moments throughout the match that dont fade away, quite like the Axe Signature line of body perfumes. Here are five moments which will remain in the fans' memories for a long time:
#1 Guptill destroys Mohammad Amir
Mohammad Amir is undoubtedly Pakistan's biggest threat at the ongoing World T20 and Martin Guptill seemed to acknowledge the fact as he took five balls to get off the mark in the opening over bowled by the 23-year-old.
But, Guptill was in no mood to show too much respect to any bowler as he started to make his intentions pretty clear with a huge six in the second over that was bowled by Mohammad Irfan. But, it was Amir's second over that clearly echoed the mood Guptill was in at Mohali tonight.
The 29-year-old made room to smash Amir's pitched-up delivery over the mid-on fielder and smashed two more boundaries in the same over as he set Amir on his way to his worst ever figures in a T20 international.
As for Guptill, his 48-ball 80, which comprised of ten boundaries and three sixes, is sure to make a few IPL bosses regret their decision to not pick the New Zealand opener, who now leads the batsmen chart for highest strike rates in T20Is in 2016 thus far.