New Zealand v Pakistan

At Sharjah, April 15 (day/night). Pakistan won by eight wickets. Pakistan 5 pts. Toss: New Zealand.

With both teams on four points, this was effectively a semi-final. New Zealand made a spectacular start, reaching 75 in 12 overs as Astle smashed a series of massive loose-armed drives and Horne punched through the leg side. But Saqlain Mushtaq's subtleties wrecked them: Horne was fooled by his straight ball and Astle fell to a sprawling catch by Waqar Younis, running back to long-on. Within three overs, New Zealand were 79 for four, and none of their bits-and-pieces players could strike a balance between daring and dawdling. Pakistan's openers bombarded a lightweight attack. Shahid Afridi hit Styris over long-on at will, taking three sixes from one over, and exerted demoralising power as he struck five other sixes and seven fours. Despite being docked an over for ambling in the field, Pakistan won with 17 to spare.

Man of the Match: Shahid Afridi.