Pakistan keep hopes alive

Mohammad Rizwan’s half-century powers Pakistan to seven-wicket win

Pakistan opened their account in the T20 World Cup beating Canada by seven wickets to keep their faint hopes of qualifying for the Super Eights alive in New York on Tuesday.

Chasing 107 for victory, Pakistan romped home in 17.3 overs reaching 107/3 with Mohammad Rizwan's 53 leading the charge for the 'Men In Green'.

Earlier, Aaron Johnson's 52 was the only bright spot for Canada as an inspired Pakistan restricted them to 106/7.

On a two-paced wicket with the occasional uneven bounce making the rest of their batters struggle, Johnson waged a lone battle for Canada with a 44-ball 52, studded with four sixes and as many fours even as the Pakistan bowlers kept chipping away with wickets.

While Mohammad Amir was the pick among the bowlers with 4-0-13-2, Haris Rauf returned 2/26 while Shaheen Shah Afridi (1/21) and Naseem Shah (1/24) recovered well after wayward starts. The only Canadian batter to trouble the Pakistan bowlers, Johnson did not shy away from attacking on every available opportunity.

It was his hits down the ground that caught the eye and he managed to clear the ropes with brute power even if he had not timed them well.

But shortly after having completed his half-century, Johnson perished when he missed connecting one

against Naseem Sham to be cleaned up.

With the burly Johnson dismissed at the team total of 73, Canada were in danger of being restricted for far less or even bowled out but skipper Saad Bin Zafar (10) and Kaleem Sana (13) took their team past the 100-run mark to give their bowlers a total.