Pakistan kept their hopes alive for playing in the World Cup semi-final after they beat New Zealand in the rain-interrupted game at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday.

Pakistan won by 21 runs after the DLS method. The decision was announced after rain for the second time interrupted the game. When the match was abandoned, Pakistan were 21 runs ahead of score according to the DLS method.

After the DLS method, Pakistan need 342 runs in 41 overs to keep hopes alive for the semi-final in the World Cup. When the game resumed, Babar completed his third fifty of the tournament. He hit three sixes in Ish Sodhi’s over.

Fakhar Zaman was declared player of the match for his match-winning ton. He smashed Pakistan’s fastest hundred in World Cup history.

Zaman hit the ton on 63 balls, smashing nine sixes and six boundaries. He was joined by skipper Babar Azam who scored 47 off 51 balls.

The Green Shirts were 160 for one in 21.3 overs when covers came off after a light drizzle.

Pakistan are 10 runs ahead of the par score as the DLS par score is 150 in 21.3 overs

Earlier, New Zealand set a target of 402 for Pakistan to stay alive in the World Cup in Bengaluru.

After the unwanted records for the Pakistan bowlers, this is now New Zealand’s highest score at a World Cup. Their highest one-day international total remains 402 set against Ireland in 2008.

The extra seamer didn’t help at all. Will the extra spinner chosen by New Zealand prove a masterstroke.

Rachin Ravindra struck his fifth half-century of the World Cup to keep his team on course for a huge total against Pakistan.

Afridi concedes the most expensive figures by a Pakistan bowler at a World Cup match. Haris Rauf previously held that title – but only for all of 10 minutes. The unwanted record was brought up by a six back over Afridi’s head by Santner.

The 23-year-old left-hander turned Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Wasim for two to reach his fifty off 49 balls after New Zealand were sent in to bat at Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Ravindra has been in superb form since striking a brilliant unbeaten 123 on World Cup debut in a convincing nine-wicket win against defending champions England in Ahmedabad on October 5.

He followed that up with 51 against the Netherlands, 75 against India and 116 versus Australia. New Zealand were 137-1 after 22 overs as they look to move a step closer to the semi-finals while a defeat will eliminate Pakistan

Hasan takes his 100th ODI wicket as he bounces out Devon Conway in the match against New Zealand on Saturday in the 34th match of the ICC’s biggest event in Bengaluru after winning the toss.**

Pakistan desperately need a breakthrough as New Zealand scored 232 in a loss of just one wicket.

Devon Conway and Richan Ravindra opened the innings for New Zealand while Shaheen Afridi bowled the first over of the innings.

Talking after the toss, Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam said that we have bowled well in the previous matches, but there has been a change in the team.

On this occasion, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said that he will try to give a good target, two changes have been made in the team.

Ish Sodhi was replaced by Matt Henry and Will Young, my preparation for the World Cup was limited, Kane Williamson said.

The national cricket team must beat New Zealand by at least 84 runs or achieve the target given by the Kiwis within 30 to 35 overs to reach the semi-finals.

Pakistan has been made one change in the squad by resting Shahdab Khan, and Usama Mir steps in as his replacement.

Pakistan Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (c), Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi

Australia David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

The Kiwis, defeated finalists in 2019, won their first four games but have now lost three on the bounce, including a humbling defeat by South Africa on Wednesday.

Pakistan has the upper hand when it comes to one-day international clashes with New Zealand, winning 60 of their 115 matches.

New Zealand won 51 times while one match was tied and three ended as “no result”.