ICC T20 World Cup 2016: New Zealand vs Pakistan - 5 Talking Points

New Zealand have become the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the World T20 after another dominating display against Pakistan. Kane Williamson the skipper won the toss and elected to bat, and Martin Guptill came out swinging and smashed 80 of 48 balls. A late boost by Luke Ronchi and Ross Taylor helped New Zealand post a competitive score of 180.Also read: Afghanistan vs England, ICC T20 World Cup 2016: Where to watch live, prediction, preview and live streaming informationPakistan has been found wanting with chasing totals for quite some time now and they were under pressure right from the outset. Sharjeel Khan came out like a house on fire and plundered the Kiwi bowlers all over. He smashed 47 runs of 26 balls, but his dismissal stalled the chase. They failed to find the boundary in the last 5.1 overs. Shahid Afridi promoted himself and played like he knows to play, but his stay was brief, and his dismissal resulted in momentum being sucked out of the chase. The boundaries were very hard to come by and the result was a foregone conclusion. Pakistan are all but out of the tournament, but now they will have to beat Australia and wish other results go their way. After the start Pakistan will believe they lost it more than New Zealand winning it.

#1 The surface in Mohali

A green tinge to the surface allowed stroke making

New Zealand have played on two dry surfaces that aided spin. But they were up for a surprise when a greenish pitch welcomed them. They, however, were not carried away with it and went in with the same squad.

There was definite pace in the surface, but the presence of bare patches helped spinners too, and both Mohammad Sami and Ish Sodhi were the best bowlers for their sides.

However the pitch did help strokeplay and both Martin Guptill and Sharjeel Khan went for their shots with conviction and the true bounce and pace also helped them. The bowlers too enjoyed with the faster bowlers enjoying zip of the surface and the spinners got fair grip. It was a good cricketing surface, and after the low and slow wickets in Nagpur and Dharmashala this was a refreshing change.

#2 Munro switches around

He maintains his shape even when he switches around

Colin Munro is renowned for his switch hits and cheeky innovations. He never dies wandering, and today he gave a glimpse of it once again.

It was the 9th over of the innings, and Munro shaped up to for a massive switch hit, but Afridi dragged his length short and then Munro improvised beautifully to maintain his calm and played a cheeky dab to Backward point (for a right-hander) for a single. He played the same short in the previous match too.

Two balls later he did connect with his reverse hit but skied it and was caught at sweeper cover. Frenetic from Munro there, and one expects him to continue with this approach.

#3 Sharjeel Khan\'s innings

Sharjeel Khan finally played an innings of substance

Sharjeel Khan has been earmarked as player to watch out for. He had a rather bleak Asia Cup and a lean World T20 so far. He was definitely under pressure and he came out swinging today.

His innings was an amalgamation of clean hitting and clever maneuvering of gaps. He launched Pakistan’s start with a whirlwind 47 off 26 balls that included 9 boundaries and 1 maximum. The ball made a cracking sound off his bat and it pinged away to the boundary. He pushed New Zealand on the back foot at the outset, and only after his dismissal did Pakistan lose their way, which was such a shame considering he had given them an ideal launchpad.

Watch out for Sharjeel in the future, as he combated spin which has been his nemesis over the recent past and also managed quick bowling with aplomb.

#4 Corey Anderson\'s catch

Corey Anderson changed the match with a spectacular catch

The catch by Corey Anderson at the boundary may not be as spectacular as some of the other catches, but it certainly was match defining.

Shahid Afridi promoted himself and was displaying an array of strokes when Ish Sodhi bowled a flighted ball on off stump. Afridi got the ball in the middle and smacked it flat towards Corey Anderson positioned at long-off where he timed his jump to perfection, as he leapt up, stretched and snaffled the ball out of thin air. The way Afridi was striking the ball, this moment was surely captivating and match-changing.

This stunner cut short Afridi’s innings which lasted for 9 balls and in which Afridi smashed 19 runs.

#5 Shahid Afridi\'s announcement

Afridi might play his final match against Australia

Pressure has been immense on Shahid Afridi and after today’s loss, even the normally chirrupy Afridi seemed to be in a daze.

In the post-match presentation, Afridi announced that next match against Australia will be his last match.

“We keep repeating mistakes and in this format, you can't do that. It might be the last game of my career against Australia. Let's see how things go", said a desolate Shahid Afridi.

Afridi did not have a good day with the ball as he conceded 40 runs in his 4 overs but did hit some lusty blows during his batting. His dismissal, however, marked the end of the road for Pakistan in the match, and most probably in the tournament.

Shahryar Khan, the PCB chairman has already announced that the PCB will look at Shahid Afridi as an option both as a captain and a player post the World Twenty20, and this announcement might quell all the rumours then.