Twitter Reactions: New Zealand beat Pakistan to seal semi-finals berth

In the New Zealand-Pakistan tie at Mohali, the Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to bat first. Hafeez and Riaz missed out for Pakistan while Boult missed out for New Zealand.

Guptill began with a bang for the Kiwis as he took on the Pakistani bowlers. He played an absolute magnificent innings of 80 runs from 48 balls. At one stage, they looked good enough for 200 but their run rate fell down a bit due to wickets at regular intervals.

However, Ross Taylor’s crucial cameo of 36 runs from 23 balls made sure that New Zealand reached the 180 mark. Mohammed Amir had a bad day on the field while his bowling partner Sami shined again with 2 wickets to his name.

Many might have written off Pakistan chasing 180, but Sharjeel Khan proved anyone wrong. He attacked the Kiwi bowlers straight away and blasted 47 runs from 25 balls. Pakistan got a powerful start as they rode their way to 66/1 in the powerplay.

However, Ahmed Shehzad, Khalid Latif and Umar Akmal displayed a poor show by T20 standards. They combined for 57 runs from 65 balls as it mounted a huge pressure on the lower order. Afridi played a good cameo but Pakistan needed more from him as they fell short by 22 runs.

Twitter entertained everyone by praising Guptill and Sharjeel’s knock to bashing Umar Akmal and Shehzad’s knock.

Here are some of the Twitter reactions during the course of the NZ-Pak game:

Right then, the players are out in the middle. #NZ openers are at the crease. Amir will bowl the first over for #PAK! #NZvPAK #WT20

— CricWizz (@CricWizz) March 22, 2016

Guptill showing Pakistan team the shortest route to the airport.

— . (@The_Sleigher) March 22, 2016

Irfan bowls the length that makes him look threatening…but that's a foot shorter than the length that gets wickets #Bing #DimagSay #NZvPAK

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 22, 2016

I don't know if the grass cover is fake or Amir suddenly forgot how to bowl.https://t.co/ienjxEMo1U #NZvPAK #WT20

— The Furred Umpire (@TheFurredUmpire) March 22, 2016

https://twitter.com/holdingwilley/status/712282218064904192

Martin Guptill, the IPL's biggest loss in 2016.#NZvPAK

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) March 22, 2016

Why Kattappa killed?

Nobody knows ?

Why Guptill not picked for IPL?

Nobody knows ?

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) March 22, 2016

New Zealand probably need 180. In spite of Pakistan's poor chasing record, this is a good track to bat on.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 22, 2016

At last I am seeing why there was all this hype around Sharjeel. This is an assault like no other! #PakvsNZ

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 22, 2016

Sharjeel be like.. Say what? 30 minutes ago it was all Kiwis but Pakistan has just found a new hope in Sharjeel. Let's do this boys!! #WT20

— Sawera Pasha (@sawerapasha) March 22, 2016

What a Start by Pakistan..

What a Start by Sharjeel..

8 Fours in his first 17 Balls..

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) March 22, 2016

Sharjeel a perfect example of selectors holding their nerve

— David 'Bumble' Lloyd (@BumbleCricket) March 22, 2016

Sharjeel Khan has gone berserk with the bat. 47 off 24 so far.
LIVE: https://t.co/u6vHAvIEKl #NZvPAK #WT20 pic.twitter.com/NvIAr7VeYt

— ICC (@ICC) March 22, 2016

https://twitter.com/holdingwilley/status/712314066035990528

Someone tell Akmal and Shehzad that they need to chase this within 20 overs, America will not give them free extra overs here. #NZvPAK

— ️Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) March 22, 2016

Pathetic innings by Ahmed Shehzaad. #PAKvNZ #WT20

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) March 22, 2016

Cometh the hour. Cometh the Afridi. Two boundaries later. Goeth the Afridi.

— Paneer Mukt Bharat (@sidin) March 22, 2016

Played a ridiculous innings of 24(26) when team needed around 10 an over. Then wants to get promoted. What a chutiya! #NZvPAK

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) March 22, 2016

Instead of Afridi, if they had announced the sacking of one player, which nobody would have objected to, wud be – Umar Akmal.

— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) March 22, 2016

55 off 58 balls from Ahmad Shahzad & Umar Akmal mocks the solid platform provided by Sharjeel.. Failed when it mattered the most. #WT20

— Sawera Pasha (@sawerapasha) March 22, 2016

Promoting Kalid Latif…Shazad and Umar batting the way they did. Sharjeel's super knock at the top in vain. #Bing #NZ #PAKvNZ #DimagSay

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 22, 2016

The spinners turned the game and the fielding was fantastic for New Zealand. Ahmed Shahzad and Umar Akmal needed to take off after the start

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 22, 2016

Pakistan's batting after Sharjeel dismissal. #WT20 pic.twitter.com/D8EQWhzHk3

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) March 22, 2016

Khalid Latif who came in at three and scored 3(7) was below average – his batting average is 4.85 from 7 T20Is, strikes at 66.66 #NZvPAK

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) March 22, 2016

Three cheers for the Kiwis. Have been fantastic in the tournament so far. #WT20 #NZ

— Sonali Dhulap (@pillya) March 22, 2016

NZ wins but it was the team Pakistan which defeated itself. #WT20

— cricBC (@cricBC) March 22, 2016

#NZ beat #PAK by 22 runs, become the first team to make it to the SF of #WT20. #IND, #AUS and #PAK will fight for the other spot #NZvPAK

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 22, 2016

First 5 over 66/0
Next 15 overs 92/5
Typically Pakistan #PAKvNZ

— SIDDHARTH PINCHA (@siddharthpincha) March 22, 2016