BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan kept alive their chances of reaching the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday, cruising to a six-wicket win against previously unbeaten New Zealand at Edgbaston.
New Zealand scored 237 for six in their 50 overs but that total proved inadequate as Babar Azam scored an impressive unbeaten 101 and Haris Sohail (68) offered valuable support.
Pakistan reached their target off the first ball of their final over, finishing on 241-4.
“The wicket was difficult but my aim was to bat for 50 overs and if I did I knew Pakistan would win the match,” said man-of-the-match Babar.
“We know we’d need to score runs off the pace bowlers. Once (Mitchell) Santner came on it was doing stuff off the pitch so (Mohammad) Hafeez told me to stick at it and score three or four runs an over.”
Sarfaraz Ahmed’s side, who beat South Africa on Sunday to revive their flagging World Cup campaign, now have seven points, level with fifth-placed Bangladesh and just one point behind hosts England.
During the course of his innings, Babar became the second-fastest to reach 3,000 one-day international runs in front of thousands of fanatical Pakistan fans.
Babar, 24, took 11 innings more than South Africa’s Hashim Amla, who reached the milestone in 57 innings, but overtook West Indies great Viv Richards (69 innings).
He reached his hundred off 124 balls with 11 fours.
Earlier, Jimmy Neesham hit a career-best 97 not out while Colin de Grandhomme made 64 after New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat.
Left-arm seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi (3-28) starred as Pakistan reduced New Zealand to 83-5, with in-form captain Kane Williamson dismissed by leg-spinner Shadab Khan for 41.
New Zealand are second in the table on 11 points behind Australia, the only team who have qualified so far.
The top four teams qualify for the semifinals.
Babar Azam stars as Pakistan beat New Zealand to keep World Cup hopes alive
Babar Azam stars as Pakistan beat New Zealand to keep World Cup hopes alive
- • New Zealand scored 237 for six in their 50 overs but that total proved inadequate as Babar Azam scored an impressive unbeaten 101
- • During the course of his innings, Babar became the second-fastest to reach 3,000 one-day international runs in front of thousands of fanatical Pakistan fans
Pakistan slashes power tariff for industries by Rs4.4 per unit to spur growth
- The development comes as Pakistan seeks to boost exports to ensure economic recovery under a $7 billion IMF program
- PM Sharif also announces lowering export refinance rate from 7.5 percent to 4.5 percent, and electricity wheeling charges to Rs9 per unit
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced a Rs4.4 ($0.014) cut in electricity tariffs for industrial consumers, saying the move is aimed at lowering production costs and spurring economic activity in Pakistan.
Manufacturers in Pakistan have long complained of high electricity price, i.e. Rs22.98 per unit, for industrial consumers, arguing that it has dampened industrial growth and made local products less competitive globally.
The reduction in power tariffs for industries is expected to lower production costs that will allow exporters to offer more competitive prices in international markets and increase profit margins through higher capacity utilization.
Addressing businessmen and exporters at a ceremony in Islamabad, Sharif said there was no alternative to export-driven economic growth and his government will devise all future economic policies in consultation with them.
“Four rupees and four paisas per unit are being reduced in electricity tariffs for industry,” the prime minister announced at the ceremony. “If it were up to me, I would reduce it by another 10 rupees, but my hands are tied.”
The development comes as Pakistan, which has long struggled with boom-bust cycles, seeks to boost foreign investment and increase exports as it navigates a long path to economic recovery under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.
The prime minister said they have reduced the export refinance rate from 7.5 percent to 4.5 percent.
“I believe this is a very significant facility being extended to you,” he said. “God willing, it will help Pakistan’s exports rebound and it will certainly be of immense benefit, especially to those who need financing.”
During his address, Sharif also announced lowering wheeling charges for industries by Rs9 ($0.032) per unit, noting the country’s economy had stabilized, inflation had come down to single digits and the policy rate stood at 10.5 percent.
In Pakistan, wheeling charges refer to fees paid by electricity consumers and generators to use the national grid’s transmission and distribution network to move electricity from suppliers to end-users under the Competitive Trading Bilateral Contracts Market (CTBCM).
“I think this should help you sell your power to neighboring industries,” he told businesspersons at the event.
