Jamshed’s rapid half-century leads Pakistan to 177-6 against New Zealand in World Twenty20

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka – Nasir Jamshed hit a career-best 56 off 35 balls to lead Pakistan to 177-6 against New Zealand in a World Twenty20 Group D match on Sunday.

Lefthander Jamshed smashed two fours and four sixes while captain Mohammad Hafeez scored 43 off 38 balls after Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first in its opening match.

New Zealand had its chances but dropped catches of both top-scorers. Skipper Ross Taylor grassed a regulation catch of Hafeez in the lone slip before Pakistan had scored while Rob Nicol missed a sitter off Jamshed on 34 in the deep.

Flamboyant opener Imran Nazir hit five boundaries in his knock of 25 and put on 47 runs with Hafeez before Tim Southee had the former caught off his own bowling.

Jamshed continued the brisk scoring rate and surpassed his 45 last month against Australia at Dubai with a midwicket boundary of Jacob Oram and raised his half century off 27 balls.

Hafeez, who should have been gone off Kyle Mills’ third delivery of the match, finally departed in the 14th over when he was bowled by James Franklin but not before putting 76 runs off 48 balls with Jamshed. He hit two fours and two sixes.

Jamshed soon perished after hitting his maiden half century to a tumbling catch at long on by Nathan McCullum.

New Zealand, which conceded 92 runs in the first 10 overs, didn’t fare much better in the last 10 when it conceded 85, with Umar Akmal (23) and Shahid Afridi (12) combining to hit five fours and a six.

Tim Southee was the pick of the bowlers with 2-31 while Oram was expensive for the wickets of Akmal brothers — Kamran and Umar — conceding 44 runs.

New Zealand defeated Bangladesh by 59 runs in its opening match. The top two teams from the group will advance to the Super Eights.