New Zealand vs Pakistan, 35th Match at Bengaluru, World Cup 2023, Nov 04 2023 - Match Result

Hop over to the England versus Australia match page. It's shaping up to be a cracking contest between these familiar foes as England are battling hard to gun down 287. For now, it's time for me, Rvel Zahid, to say goodbye on behalf of Danyal Rasool and our scoring team. Adios!

Don't forget to read the match report by Danyal. He has covered all the major highlights and turning points of this enthralling run-fest at Chinnaswamy Stadium

Babar Azam, Pakistan Captain: When we started batting, we believed (in ourselves). Inside dressing room, we passed the message that we need one good partnership. Back of the mind, we knew rain was coming, but didn't expect it to be too much. To be honest, we just planned to build a partnership. I wanted to give strike to Fakhar; we knew we had short boundaries and we tried to utilise it. We were trying to give 100 % but in some matches we were not up to the mark. If we win our next match, let's see...we will try to play positively and we are going match by match.

Kane Williamson, New Zealand Captain: Quite hard to get our heads around after getting that total, for us we will take the positives before the next game. I mean they played exceptionally well, gave themselves every chance and got over the line, they were certainly on target with their chase. Zaman played beautifully, they deserved that result today and for us it's about moving on to our next challenge. Sort of, maybe we wanted 450, I don't know. (on positives) A lot of really good partnerships, clearly a very good surface and that can be tough on the bowlers. So yeah a fantastic first half and obviously Rachin was batting absolutely beautifully and having a fantastic time, hope that continues, some really oood signs from the unit. If you get a wicket or two and you're able take the short side out of it in terms of the left and right combination things can change quickly, but we weren't able to do that today and Pakistan exploited that to the max

Here's the updated points table with each team's net-run-rate

Fakhar Zaman, Player of the Match: We planned to see off first few overs, few times I got lucky and really enjoyed this innings. We know that every game is do or die for us. In team meeting, our management decided that we will play aggressively so we are playing with that mind and everybody was trying to score more runs. This is one of my best (century), I will always remember my 193 against South Africa but this is one of my best. (on World Cup hopes) we were also praying for (no resumption). We want to continue playing aggressively in our next game.

New Zealand will be gutted to lose after posting a mammoth 401 on the board, and the rain interruptions clearly disrupted their bowling plans. However, Pakistan didn't put a foot wrong with the bat. Fakhar Zaman has sprung back to form and carried on in his merry ways, taking every bowler to the cleaners. His enterprising knock of 126* was laced with eight fours and 11 sixes!

Net run rate would be calculated considering New Zealand scored 179 in 25.3 overs and Pakistan made 200 in 25.3

With this win, South Africa becomes the second team after India to book a semifinal spot. Only one other team can collect 12 points now, and that team is Australia, so South Africa cannot finish below fourth

Pakistan's semifinal hopes still hang by a thread, and they need massive help from other teams, Sri Lanka in particular, to sneak into the final four.

Bowling was abject today, and the pace attack was shredded into pieces, but it was that man, Fakhar Zaman, who once again inspired the entire team by scoring a spellbinding century but New Zealand should hold their heads high after a blockbuster batting performance. Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson ruled the roost, stitching together a 180-run partnership and pummeling the bowlers all over the park to post a massive total. Who knows, they might have caused some panic with a couple of wickets if we had completed the game and this may have gone down to the wire

7:25pm: Match called off! Unfortunately, the conditions remained soggy, and the two captains have shaken hands, so that's that. Pakistan win by 21 runs and bag two points

Talha : "Fakhar turns up in the big games for Pakistan. Fearless mindset"

GhulamAli: "On the other hand , it was great game awareness by Fakhar and Babar to score fast after rain" Yup, they didn't take long to continue in the same fashion

Sachin Mohan: "Ish be given the 24th over, mistake, 20 runs? Knowing it could start raining any minute." I don't think New Zealand anticipated rain returning so early, but yes, the pacers might have gained more zip off the surface after the rain break

7:07pm: It's time to grab a snack, perhaps a samosa with some chai if you are a Pakistan fan given the DLS situation

Stats - Rachin emulates Sachin as NZ get their highest WC total

Usman Bhatti: "@Rvel, what would be the impact on NRR if game wont start again?" will update you shortly

We are getting close to a call-off pings Shashank from the ground

It's kind of unfortunate how this high-scoring affair has been marred by rain. I, for one, didn't want Fakhar Zaman's elite thrashing to stop; he was really hitting the ball cleanly and entertaining the crowd royally

7pm: It continues to pour down at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium. I'm afraid I can't offer more updates than that at this moment. We are within 40 minutes now from the cut-off time. Rain has really put a damper on things, but let's hope we will get more action and somehow appease the cricketing gods into clearing the clouds away

NZ: "@cricinfo What will happen if play cannot be resumed at all? is Pakistan wining?" Yes, Pakistan is 21 runs ahead of par score

Fakhar Zaman - only the fourth batter to hit ten or more sixes in a men's ODI World Cup innings.

Arslan : "Cut off time ? " I'm waiting for our man in Bangalore to get back to me, but I believe it's around one hour from now.

Thank you, Danyal!

Cut off is 7:40 pm local time, 50 minutes from now, but at the moment resumption looks unlikely. Rvel will take you through what's left of this.

And the umpires reckon the rain is too heavy, and the covers come back on. Pakistan are now 21 runs ahead on DLS