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'World Cup is alive': Final-over stunner turns tournament on its head

What looked to be a forgone conclusion just a few days ago is far from it as Pakistan blew the race for World Cup finals spots wide open on Wednesday.

Babar Azam made an unbeaten century as Pakistan ended New Zealand's unbeaten record with a six-wicket win at Edgbaston.

New Zealand knew victory would secure a fourth successive World Cup semi-final appearance, but the Black Caps were unable to defend their total of 6-237 against revitalised opposition.

Pakistan still had plenty of work to do at the halfway mark of their chase, being 3-110 on a used pitch that was providing significant assistance to spinner Mitchell Santner.

But Azam's 101 not out - the first World Cup century by a Pakistan player other than an opening batsman since 1987 - saw off New Zealand with five balls to spare.

Babar Azam struck an unbeaten century. Image: Getty
Pakistan stunned New Zealand to keep the World Cup interesting. Image: Getty

“The World Cup is alive,” one commentator said after Pakistan struck the winning runs.

Babar passed 3,000 one-day international runs in the process.

His 127-ball innings, which contained 11 fours, underlined the 24-year-old's huge talent, but New Zealand wicketkeeper Tom Latham was left to reflect on a spilled catch off Santner when Babar had made 38.

It was to prove a decisive drop and the result was never in doubt after that, despite Santner's spin and the early hostility generated by paceman Lockie Ferguson.

The fourth-wicket partnership between Babar and Haris Sohail, (68) who was run out in the penultimate over, was played out in front of ecstatic Pakistan supporters, who delighted in taking over Edgbaston for the day.

Worries for England?

It was a gritty all-round team performance from Pakistan, who flew out of the blocks with Shaheen Afridi questioning New Zealand's decision to bat in overcast conditions by taking three wickets.

Their win will also raise anxiety levels in the England dressing room, with only one point now separating the two sides in the race for a top-four finish.

Mohammad Amir had first-ball success as Martin Guptill dragged on, but it was Shaheen who shone to leave New Zealand in real difficulty at 4-46.

The out-of-form Colin Munro (12) drove to slip, Ross Taylor (3) was brilliantly caught by gloveman Sarfaraz Ahmed diving to his right, and Latham (1) also edged behind.

Babar Azam and Sarfaraz Ahmed celebrate. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Babar Azam and Sarfaraz Ahmed celebrate. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Afridi had figures of 7-3-11-3 from his first spell and finished with 3-28 - the most economical spell by a Pakistan bowler at the last five World Cups.

Kane Williamson, so often New Zealand's saviour, dug in, but the Black Caps skipper fell for 41 as leg-spinner Shadab Khan found prodigious turn to give Sarfaraz a third catch.

Jimmy Neesham and Colin De Grandhomme repaired the early damage with a sixth-wicket partnership of 132 as New Zealand showed their renowned battling qualities.

De Grandhomme was eventually run out for 64 and Neesham compiled an ODI best of 97 not out to set Pakistan what looked like a challenging target.

But New Zealand's wait to book that last-four spot must extend into their final two games against Australia and England.