T20 WC, Pak vs NZ Highlights: Rauf picks 4 as Pakistan wins by 5 wickets

Pacer Haris Rauf led a clinical bowling display with an excellent four-wicket haul before Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali's onslaught helped Pakistan seal the victory

5:51 PM

Respect Your Stars: Pakistan's Rizwan comes out in support of Shami following online abuse

Pakistan opener Mohammad Rizwan on Tuesday came out in support of pacer Mohammad Shami following the online abuse after India's defeat against Pakistan in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

 

Rizwan stated that Shami is a star and indeed of the best bowlers in the world. "The kind of pressure, struggles & sacrifices a player has to go through for his country & his people is immeasurable. @MdShami11 is a star & indeed of the best bowlers in the world Please respect your stars. This game should bring people together & not divide 'em #Shami #PAKvIND," Mohammad Rizwan tweeted.

 

Shami was subjected to online abuse after India suffered defeat against arch-rival Pakistan on Sunday. As soon as the match ended, fans on Instagram and Twitter passed derogatory statements on Shami.

5:36 PM

Yes, Pakistan will have that extra motivation to clip the Kiwis' wings: Sana Mir

Pakistan woman cricketer Sana Mir feels the Babar Azam-led side will be extra motivated when it takes on New Zealand in the ICC T20 World Cup 'Super 12' game later on Tuesday after the Black Caps cancelled their white-ball tour hours before the opening ODI in Rawalpindi last month and flew out citing "security concerns".

 

A lot of former Pakistan players have asked their team to take "revenge" for the humiliation meted out by the Black Caps and give it their all on the field, and Mir also said that "the boys will be extra motivated to perform well".

 

"Next up, Pakistan play New Zealand and I think it's going to be a very exciting game. Most of the time we have no history with New Zealand but after the (limited-overs) series was cancelled last month, I think the boys will be extra motivated to perform well," Mir wrote in her column for the International Cricket Council.

5:31 PM

After leaving Scotland in a spin, Afghanistan want to demolish Pakistan

With Afghanistan's Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman leaving Scotland in a spin during the ICC T20 World Cup 'Super 12' game on Monday evening, Naveen ul-Haq said that his side will fancy their chances against Pakistan when the neighbours clash on October 29.

 

Afghanistan's spin attack was on full display at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday with Rashid (4/9 in 2.2 overs) and Mujeeb (5/20 in 4 overs) reducing Scotland batters to pulp, and notching up a 130-run victory by dismissing the rivals for 60 runs after amassing 190/4.

 

"Well, can't say much (about Mujeeb and Rashid), it was nine wickets from them. You can't ask much more than these two, said Naveen ul-Haq after the massive win, adding that his side would be ready for the Pakistan challenge.

 

"We have a good side. Whoever plays good cricket on that day (game vs Pakistan), they will win. It was a good win (vs Scotland). Our players were ready for it. We were well prepared. First of all, our players were playing and participating in different leagues, so yeah, all the boys were ready for this tournament and this match," said Naveen.

5:30 PM

Ex-New Zealand great warns Williamson about Pak, says 'The bear is angry'

Former New Zealand cricketer Ian Smith is predicting a fiery clash between the Black Caps and Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 'Super 12' game later on Tuesday at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium after the events of the last month.

 

A lot of former Pakistani players have said that the Babar Azam-led side will be "extra motivated" when it takes on New Zealand after the Black Caps cancelled their white-ball tour hours before the opening ODI in Rawalpindi last month and flew out citing "security issues".

 

The 64-year-old Smith, who played 63 Tests and close to a 100 ODIs for New Zealand, told New Zealand to expect a "fierce contes", after Pakistan's 10-wicket demolition of a star-studded Indian side in their 'Super 12' opening game on October 24.

 

"It will have feeling, and certainly meaning… there will be very, very few pleasantries I promise you that, and maybe, neither there should be, The bear is angry, the bear feels let down, the bear is playing very well," added Smith, indicating that a hurting Pakistan side will come hard at the Kane Williamson-led New Zealand.