Twitter Reactions: Babar Azam and Haris Sohail knock down New Zealand in Birmingham

Pakistan needed to come out trumps against New Zealand in order to keep their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup semis alive. Sarfaraz Ahmed and Co did it in style, winning the match at Edgbaston in Birmingham by six wickets with five balls to spare. It also brought to end, the Kiwis’ unbeaten streak in the mega event. Pakistan’s victory also meant that the points table in the middle got even more complicated.

The Black Caps, after electing to bat first under overcast conditions, got off to a horrendous start. Martin Guptill chopped one on to the stumps off Mohammad Amir. Colin Munro hit two fours and edged one to the slips to give Shaheen Shah Afridi his first wicket. Afridi went from strength to strength and pinned the experienced Ross Taylor and then Tom Latham in succession to leave the Kiwis in the shambles.

Shaheen also bowled three maidens and conceded only 28 runs. Shadab Khan delivered the body blow, getting rid of the in-form Kane Williamson, who tried his best, having scored 41 off 68. With Pakistan on top, the all-rounders Colin de Grandhomme (64) and James Neesham (97) shouldered the Kiwis back into the game with a 132-run stand. Their resolute show took their team to a competitive score of 237 in 50 overs.

Haris and Babar do the job

Pakistan got off to a poor start as both their openers- Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq- fell prey to Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson respectively. Thereafter, Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez steadied the ship and put on 66 for the third wicket. Mitchell Santner extracted prodigious turn, but it was captain Kane who broke through, dismissing Hafeez, who scored 32 with five fours. Ferguson took an easy catch in the deep.

The in-form Haris Sohail joined Babar in the middle and carried on the good work, Babar accomplished his fifty off 65 balls and then Haris notched back-to-back half-centuries off 63 balls. Their century stand was raised in 122 balls and Pakistan kept marching towards victory. On 99, the talented Babar played four dot balls and then roared to his 10th ODI ton off 124 balls. Sohail was dismissed on 68 off 76 balls just short of the target.

Here is how Twitter praised Babar, Haris and Pakistan:

Only one unbeaten team at this World Cup……..

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 26, 2019

The loudest cheer of the day as Babar Azam reaches his century and does a Sajdah – what a superb innings from a wonderful cricketer #PAKvNZ #CWC19

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) June 26, 2019

This is what you call a Proper run Chase on a tricky wicket … Outstanding application & mentality from Pakistan … !! The other Pakistan are starting to look very very dangerous … #CWC19 … What an atmosphere as well !!

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 26, 2019

Pakistan ???????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Babar ???? all class????????????????????????????????????????????????????????@ICC

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) June 26, 2019

What a player this Babar Azam is. Still coming of age and already, by some distance, Pakistan’s best batsman. And the selection of Haris Sohail is a game-changer.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 26, 2019

Brilliant batting by Babar Azam and Haris Sohail, special win for Pakistan. Babars batting through the innings has made all the difference. The talent of Haris Sohail, his shot making is pure class. Pakistan are back in this World cup! #WeHaveWeWill #BoomBoomPakistan ???????????????????? pic.twitter.com/r6Xz3nwdQM

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) June 26, 2019

This Pakistan cricket team is such a different one that it can defeat any team on the given day and it can also get defeated by even a Juhu Gali team on any day.#ICCCWC2019 #NZvPAK

— KRK (@kamaalrkhan) June 26, 2019

Babar ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

— Kevin Pietersen???? (@KP24) June 26, 2019

Carrying his bat through..Wow @babarazam258 he’s played a few gems but in terms of importance this ranks right up there!#PakvNZ

— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) June 26, 2019

Now THIS Pakistan team is real dangerous #PakvsNZ

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) June 26, 2019

Waiting for a random journalist to ask Mickey Arthur if Babar’s century was too slow and then Arthur contemplating a suicide right there. #CWC19

— Manya (@CSKian716) June 26, 2019

Babar Azam, you star! And don’t they love it! #CWC19 | #NZvPAK | #WeHaveWeWill pic.twitter.com/gUktRTxuS6

— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 26, 2019

Perfect day at the office team Pakistan @TheRealPCB . All bowlers contributing special spell by @iShaheenAfridi . Pure class @babarazam258 and @iHarisSohail. ????????????

— Salman Butt (@im_SalmanButt) June 26, 2019

Wonder what the Pak coach would want to do to himself today #NZvPak

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) June 26, 2019

Nice. So, Pakistan will now be knocked out by either Afghanistan or Bangladesh. #CWC19

— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) June 26, 2019

Babar Azam has played an innings that Kane Williamson would have loved to and been proud of… that should say it all about how good the Pakistan No 3 has been today.#NZvPAK #CWC19

— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) June 26, 2019

Graeme Swann “Who would argue against Pakistan going on to do something special at this World Cup just like they did at the 1992 World Cup” #CWC19 #PAKvNZ

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) June 26, 2019

Well played Babar Azam. Wonderful player, wonderful knock and most importantly he was there till the end. He keeps playing like this, soon it could be fab 5. #PakvNZ

— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) June 26, 2019

Shuker Allhamdullilah ????????
@babarazam258 u beutyyyyyy????????

#WeHaveWeWill #CWC19

— Ahmad Shahzad ???????? (@iamAhmadshahzad) June 26, 2019

Haris Sohail’s calmness under pressure….scored at a brisk rate without taking obvious risks. Very very convincing. Two quality innings on the bounce. #PakvWI #CWC19

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 26, 2019

Pakistan have played exactly how England should have played against Sri Lanka … #JustSaying #CWC19

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 26, 2019

Congratulation team pakistan 2 more to go # semifinal #WorldCup2019

— Bilawal bhatti (@007Bilawal) June 26, 2019

Classy 100 by @babarazam258… magical matey! ???????????????? @TheRealPCB hot to trot from last two matches ????????

— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) June 26, 2019

Match winning inning from Babar Azam. Brilliant display of talent by Haris Sohail. What a class act he is turning out to be.
Shaheen Afridi bowled with pace & aggression.
Pakistan Zindabad. One step closer to the dream. #PAKvNZ #CWC19

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) June 26, 2019

Pakistan win the match number 7 with five balls remaining. They won the game 7 with five balls remaining in WC 1992 too. This is getting unbelievable!! #CWC19

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 26, 2019

Congratulations! Well played #TeamPakistan, Performed really well in last two games, lets carry this energy on. Babar Azam & Harris Shoail played incredibly well. #CWC19 #PAKvsNZL pic.twitter.com/LK1ehFO4Qy

— Saeed Ajmal (@REALsaeedajmal) June 26, 2019

Utter madness. The 92 comparisons just don’t stop. Everything else pales.#NZvPak

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) June 26, 2019