New Zealand vs Pakistan, 14th Match at Mohali, Oct 25 2006 - Ball by Ball Commentary

and that's an emphatic way to finish! It's two wickets in two balls, as Fleming takes the catch that sends New Zealand into the semi-finals! Akmal gave himself room, and lollipopped a simple catch to short midwicket.

well, that livened things up! The substitute Ross Taylor pulls off a blinding pick-up-and-throw from gully to ping the non-striker's stumps. Bob Willis, who has clearly been drinking too much of the local tea, sums it up thus: "It's not Rudolph Nureev [sic], it's Umar Gul"

swished out towards deep midwicket, but there's no way though

pushed onto the back foot. Good tight bowling

double the result for this shot, thanks to an over-enthusiastic shy from Lou Vincent. Overthrows are Pakistan's only hope. Six of them every ball

and again. As the run-rate continues to climb

turned to short midwicket, another single, but Pakistan are most welcome to them

full and wide of off stump, flat-batted to third man

singles simply won't do for Pakistan. Stephen Fleming is already contemplating his semi-final tactics

oh dear, down the leg side and away to the boundary. A bit of a slack finish from Mills, but a good spell nonetheless

short and carved uppishly to third man. But still no boundaries

but instead of a boundary, that's another dot. It's all a bit futile now for Pakistan

short and swished into the leg side. Pakistan need boundaries, urgently

firm drive, but can't beat mid-off

finds the gap and at last Akmal has the strike

expansive drive, but picked up on the cover boundary. The rate is now up to 11 an over

tight on off stump, edged onto pads

bouncer, but too short

firm drive into the covers, an excellent parry saves the boundary, and Akmal is back off the strike

angled into the new batsman, deflected into the leg side