Captain Babar Azam was delighted after hitting an unbeaten century as Pakistan notched up back-to-back wins over New Zealand with a 38-run victory over the tourists in the second Twenty20 International in Lahore on Saturday.
Pakistan scored 182 runs and Tom Latham's side fell well short of their target despite a hat-trick from Matt Henry, with Haris Rauf claiming four wickets for 18 runs as New Zealand were dismissed for 94, with more than four overs remaining.
Trent Boult has not given up hope of playing Test cricket again despite declining a central contract with New Zealand Cricket.
New Zealand will firmly bank on their potent batting line-up to ward off Bangladesh's capable spin attack on a slow Chepauk pitch on Friday.
Talking about carrying the momentum or starting again in the knockout stage, Boult said, 'For me, it is starting again. We are against some classy opposition coming to the business end of the tournament.'
England's "Bazball" revolution continued apace on Sunday when the tourists wrapped up a thumping 267-run victory over New Zealand in the opening session of the fourth day of the first Test.
Hosts New Zealand were in trouble as Sri Lanka reduced the Kiwis to 165 for five on day two of the first Test.
New Zealand will play the World Cup-opener against England on Thursday without key pacer Tim Southee, who is yet to recover from his thumb surgery.
Pacer Mohammed Siraj had reported a 'corrupt approach" to BCCI's Anti Corruption Unit (ACU) from an unknown person, who wanted 'inside news' about his team before Australia arrived in India.
New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell has likened the England series to a heavyweight boxing bout and thinks the Black Caps are still very much in the fight in the third Test after a topsy-turvy day two at Headingley.
New Zealand's hopes of levelling the T20 series against India with victory in the final match on Tuesday have taken a blow with captain Kane Williamson opting out of the match for a medical appointment.
"He has indicated he's available for the World Cup," Stead told reporters.
IMAGEs from the World Cup match between Pakistan and New Zealand played at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday
IMAGES from Day 1 of the 2nd Test played between England and New Zealand at Trent Bridge on Friday.
PHOTOS from the ICC World Cup opener played between England and New Zealand at Ahmedabad on Thursday
Williamson suffered the injury while fielding for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League last Friday and returned to New Zealand.
Suryakumar continues to lead T20I rankings
Chapman (57-ball 104 not out) combined with Jimmy Neesham (45) to overhaul the 194-run target and stun Pakistan
Images from the ICC World Cup match between Australia and New Zealand, in Dharamsala, on Saturday.
Having opted out of a New Zealand contract last year, pacer Trent Boult expressed his desire to play in the ODI World Cup.
4 Aussies, 3 Indians, 1 Kiwi, 3 South Africans in Harish Kotian's World Cup 2023 Dream XI.
England are an ageing side alright, but few will dare to bet against Jos Buttler's men successfully defending their World Cup title in a few weeks time.
Kane Williamson, spinners set up NZ's 35-run win over Ireland
IMAGES from the ICC World Cup match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at the M Chinnaswamy stadium, in Bengaluru, on Thursday.
Spinners from both sides bowled 30 of the total 40 overs and not a single six was hit by a batsman.
New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell will replace injured England batter Will Jacks in the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad for IPL 2023.
Sri Lanka, who are third in the WTC rankings behind already qualified Australia and India, will need to beat New Zealand 2-0.
Virat Kohli anchored another tricky chase with perfection after Mohammad Shami's sizzling five-wicket haul as India outclassed New Zealand by four wickets.
The second T20 game between India and New Zealand in Ranchi begins at 1900 IST.
New Zealand's Tim Southee, one of only two quicks in the top 10 of the Twenty20 bowling world rankings, believes sluggish wickets at the World Cup could work out well for seamers.
NZ bowlers dismissed the tourists for 164 and reducing them to 113 for two, still 303 runs in arrear
Trent Boult said that he is hungry as ever to represent the country and play a big role in Kiwis lifting their maiden ICC Cricket World Cup in 2023
The top-order has struggled immensely to contribute runs. In the opener, the Kiwis seemed down and out at 131-6, before number seven Michael Bracewell played a blinder to almost take them over the line.
Kusal Mendis and captain Dimuth Karunaratne handed Sri Lanka a strong start in Day 1 of the first Test against New Zealand.
Ashwin gained two places after taking six wickets in India's emphatic victory over Australia in the second Test in New Delhi.
The agreement will see women's players at both international and domestic level receive the same match fees as men
New Zealand set Pakistan a tricky target of 319 and then landed two late blows to boost their hopes of a series-clinching victory in the second Test on Thursday.
The win over Ireland saw New Zealand grab the top spot with seven points and a net runrate of +2.113.
The Black Caps will be the third major side to tour Pakistan this year after Australia played a full series in March-April and England featured in seven T20Is in September-October.
Sri Lanka, who beat Ireland in their Super 12 opener, are still to face former champions England and last year's runners-up New Zealand as they look to secure one of the top two spots in the group.
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