HARARE: Pakistan took a major step towards the ICC World Cup semi-final with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in their Group 2 Super Sixes match here at the Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.
India, meanwhile, moved to the top of the Group 2 points table with a massive 204-run win over Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.
India’s victory means only three teams from Group 2 – India, England and Pakistan – remain in the race for semi-final places, which will have a huge bearing on Sunday’s blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan.
In a dominant overall performance, Pakistan chased down a modest target of 111 in 17.1 overs. This victory kept Pakistan in the hunt for a place in the semi-finals. Although they are currently third in the table, behind England and India, they have recorded a good net progress rate of +1.484, which could come in handy if they are stuck at the top of the table.
Having chosen to bowl first, the Pakistani pacers took advantage of most of the seam conditions. Ali Raza got the ball rolling by trapping Marco Alpe’s leg before the wicket. While Raza claimed three wickets for 36 in seven overs, Abdul Subhan produced a winning spell of 4-11 from 6.3 overs.
For New Zealand, opener Hugo Bogue notched the highest score, a quickfire 36 mixed with six fours and two sixes. However, Pakistan’s bowling attack ensured that the Black Caps had no partnership.
In the second innings, rising star Sameer Minhas led the chase with a second consecutive half-century in the competition, hitting a 59-ball 76 not out with 10 fours and a pair of sixes to guide Pakistan to an emphatic victory by hitting a six down the ground.
INDIA OUTCOMES ZIMBABWE
India used a splendid century from Vihaan Malhotra to register a huge victory over Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club.
After being asked to bat first, Indian openers Aaron Geroge and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi put together a quick opening stand of 44 runs. Goerge’s departure did not deter Sooryavanshi as he continued the assault to bring up his half-century.
Zimbabwe regained some initiative, sending the 14-year-old and Vedant Trivedi back to the hut in the space of five overs.
Malhotra and Abhigyan Kundu then settled into a good rhythm with their batting to keep India away from any potential danger. The former marked India’s first century of the tournament, while Kundu’s 61 off 62 deliveries put India on the path to a big score.
Khilan A. Patel’s 30-ball stand added to the late fireworks as India finished with 352/8 from their 50 overs.
Chasing an impressive total, Zimbabwe lost openers Nathaniel Hlabangana, Dhruv Patel and Brendon Senzere early in the run. Kian Blignaut and Leeroy Chiwaula attempted to rebuild the Zimbabwean innings, with the latter also hitting a resilient half-century.
But Ayush Mhatre and Udhav Mohan picked up three wickets each, helping India reduce Zimbabwe’s challenge to 148 after a lower-order collapse.
Published in Dawn, January 28, 2026
