Pakistan beat New Zealand to keep semi-final hopes alive IN Cricket World Cup

Pakistan kept their hopes of a World Cup semi-final place alive as they moved to within a point of England with a six-wicket victory over New Zealand.

Babar Azam’s 101 saw Pakistan home in front of a partisan crowd at Edgbaston after Shaheen Afridi had ripped through New Zealand’s top order.

Jimmy Neesham’s unbeaten 97 had given New Zealand a chance on a slow pitch.

But Pakistan’s win with five balls to spare leaves hosts and pre-tournament favourites England in more danger.

Only wins against New Zealand and India in their final two group games will be enough to guarantee England a semi-final place.

Just last week the top four places looked set but qualification could now go to the wire.

New Zealand would have joined Australia in confirming a top-four finish with a win but now they too have work to do after a first defeat of the tournament.