<\/p>\n
Swashbuckling opener Fakhar Zaman cracked a blistering century to save Pakistan from World Cup elimination in a rain-affected and dramatic 21-run victory over New Zealand at Bengaluru on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The 33-year-old left-hander smashed 11 sixes and eight boundaries in his unbeaten 81-ball 126 as rain forced a premature end to the match with Pakistan 200-1 after 25.3 overs, chasing a revised Duckworth-Lewis-Stern target of 342 in 41 overs.<\/p>\n
Rachin Ravindra hit his third century of the tournament while Kane Williamson scored 95 to help New Zealand pile up 401-6 in their 50 overs.<\/p>\n
Set a mammoth 402-run target initially, Zaman lifted Pakistan to 160-1 after 21.3 overs before a 90-minute stoppage due to rain led to a revised target for Pakistan.<\/p>\n
After the resumption, Zaman kept up the tempo, hitting three sixes off spinner Ish Sodhi\u2019s 25th over as Pakistan went past the 200 mark.<\/p>\n
Pakistan had needed to overhaul the original target of 402 in 35.3 overs if they were to get beyond New Zealand\u2019s better net run-rate which could prove crucial in the battle for semi-final spots.<\/p>\n
However, Abdullah Shafique fell for four in the second over.<\/p>\n
Zaman and skipper Babar Azam (66) added 194 for the unbroken second wicket stand.<\/p>\n
Zaman took the attack to the New Zealand bowlers, smashing four sixes and as many boundaries in his 39-ball fifty.<\/p>\n
He completed his 11th ODI hundred, and first in a World Cup, with a six and a single off Mitchell Santner.<\/p>\n
His century came off 63 balls with nine sixes and six boundaries.<\/p>\n
Pakistan now have eight points from as many games with their last match against England in Kolkata on November 11.<\/p>\n
Pakistan not only need to win that but also hope New Zealand lose to Sri Lanka on November 9 in Bengaluru at this same venue or the match is hit by rain.<\/p>\n
Earlier, it was Ravindra and Williamson who set the platform for New Zealand\u2019s total after they were put in to bat.<\/p>\n
Ravindra continued his superb form with a 94-ball 108 with 15 boundaries and a six and was matched stroke for stroke by Williamson whose 79-ball knock was spiced with two sixes and ten boundaries.<\/p>\n
This was Ravindra\u2019s third century of the tournament \u2014 in addition to two half centuries \u2014 and he was in total control until he holed out at deep mid-wicket off Mohammad Wasim in the 36th over.<\/p>\n
On a dry looking Chinnaswamy pitch, Pakistan entered the match with four fast bowlers and two part-time spinners and with rain forecast in the afternoon sent New Zealand in to bat.<\/p>\n
In contrast, New Zealand brought in leg-spinner Sodhi in addition to three other slow bowlers including an in-form Santner.<\/p>\n
Ravindra and Devon Conway scored 66 in the first power-play before Conway fell to a short pitched ball from Hasan Ali after scoring a 35-ball 39 with six boundaries.<\/p>\n