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

Guptill played an excellent knock against Pakistan

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.

#2 Mohammad Sami turning out to be Pakistan\'s Ashish Nehra

Sami was impressive for the Pakistan side

Ashish Nehra's impressive comeback to the Indian team after a gap of nearly four years has been well documented, and Mohammad Sami is doing something similar for their arch-rivals across the border, Pakistan.

The 35-year-old gave Pakistan a sniff of victory in their previous outing against India with two quick wickets and was the most impressive bowler tonight as well. He managed to get the wicket of the dangerous Martin Guptill before he could reach the three-figure mark but it was his final over that turned out to be his most vital contribution on the night.

With his premier bowlers like Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Irfan getting a severe beating, Afridi gave Sami the ball to deliver the 19th over and Sami repaid his skipper's faith with a superb over in which he conceded just four runs. The duo of Ross Taylor and Luke Ronchi were waiting to execute a final flourish but Sami put all his experience to good effect neutralising the opposition threat with his smart bowling.

He clearly had a plan in mind and he executed it to perfection, bowling low full tosses outside the off stump which Taylor and Ronchi struggled to get away. Sami might be 35 but he still has the pace to surprise the batsmen and he finished off his spell with the wicket of Ronchi to cap a good day at the office.

#3 Sharjeel Khans breezy cameo

Sharjeel’s knock went in vain

Pakistan has high hopes from their 26-year-old opening batsman Sharjeel Khan but the left-hander has more often than not failed to rise up to the expectations – but not today. His weakness against spin is well known and was on plain show in his last outing as India’s Ravichandran Ashwin had him in a tizzy at the Eden Gardens on Saturday.

No wonder that New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson decided to hand over the opening over to the impressive Mitchell Santner but Sharjeel was not going to take any off it as he smashed the first ball straight back past the bowler, nearly taking out Ahmed Shehzad at the other end. He hit two more boundaries, the first a near miss at deep mid-wicket as Guptill failed to latch on to a good chance before comfortably beating the mid-off fielder giving Pakistan a superb start in their run chase.

He was even more severe against the faster bowlers as he raced away to 47 with nine boundaries and a huge six before falling to Adam Milne in the sixth over.

#4 Mitchell Santners brilliant comeback

Santner (L) celebrates picking up a wicket

As we already pointed out, Santner had a pretty bad start with the ball as he conceded 15 runs in the opening over and was taken out of the attack right away by Kane Williamson. But the 24-year-old, who has made a promising start to his international career and is tipped to have a big future in the game, showed his mettle by making an impressive comeback later on.

Sharjeel’s dismissal had put a brake on Pakistan’s scoring but it was Santner, who really dragged New Zealand back into the game conceding just four and two runs in the ninth and eleventh over respectively of the Pakistani innings.

His second over had also accounted for the comeback man Khalid Latif but it was the dismissal of the dangerous Ahmed Shehzad that left Pakistan in a precarious position, one they failed to get out of.

#5 Kane Williamsons shrewd captaincy

Kane Williamson in action against Pakistan

Coming into the ICC T20 World Cup 2016, not many had given a young New Zealand side, missing the services of the talismanic Brendon McCullum and set to play in unfamiliar conditions, much fancy.

But the Black Caps, who have so often exceeded expectations, are breaking the norm this time around as well as they marched into the semi-finals with their third victory in as many matches.

More than 'McCullum the batsman', New Zealand were supposed to miss 'McCullum the fearless skipper', but Kane Williamson has stepped into the previous skipper’s shoes remarkably well. He is not afraid to make bold calls and is backing himself and his young side to continue doing wonders.

Today’s match was yet another proof that this New Zealand side will not be deterred by the might of established players.

Sharjeel Khan got Pakistan off to a flying start but once the left-hander was dismissed, Williamson was able to put on a stranglehold on the opposition run-rate with his bowling changes and impressive field setting. The way he used Adam Milne and Mitchell Santner, especially the latter after conceding 15 runs in his opening over, was a crucial factor in New Zealand’s 22-run victory.