HARARE: Pakistan took a major step towards the ICC World Cup semi-final with a comprehensive eight-wicket win over New Zealand in their Super Sixes match of Group 2 here at the Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.

India, meanwhile, moved to the top of the Group 2 points table with a massive 204-run victory over Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

India’s victory means only three teams from Group 2 -- India, England and Pakistan -- remain in the hunt for the semi-finals spots, with a huge bearing on Sunday’s blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan.

In a dominant all-round display, Pakistan chased down a modest target of 111 in 17.1 overs. The win kept Pakistan in the hunt for a semi-final spot. Though they are currently third in the standings, behind England and India, they have notched a healthy net run-rate of +1.484 which may come in handy if there’s a logjam at the top of the table.

Electing to field first, the Pakistan pacers made most of the seaming conditions. Ali Raza got the ball rolling as he trapped Marco Alpe leg before wicket. While Raza claimed three wickets for 36 in seven overs, Abdul Subhan produced a match-winning spell of 4-11 from 6.3 overs.

For New Zealand, opener Hugo Bogue notched the highest-score, a quickfire 36 laced with six fours and two sixes. However, the Pakistan bowling attack ensured that the Black Caps didn’t have any partnerships going.

In the second innings, rising star Sameer Minhas led the chase with a second straight half-century in the competition, cracking a 59-ball 76 not out featuring 10 fours and a brace of sixes to steer Pakistan to an emphatic win by hitting a six down the ground.

INDIA OUTCLASS ZIMBABWE

India rode on a splendid century from Vihaan Malhotra to register a whopping victory over Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club.

After being asked to bat first, Indian openers Aaron Geroge and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stitched together a quick-fire 44-run opening stand. Goerge’s departure didn’t deter Sooryavanshi as he continued with the onslaught to bring up his half-century.

Zimbabwe clawed back some initiative, sending the 14-year-old and Vedant Trivedi back in the hut within the space of five overs.

Malhotra and Abhigyan Kundu then settled into fine batting rhythm to steer India clear of any potential danger. The former fired India’s first century at the tournament, while Kundu’s 61 off 62 deliveries set India on the course for a big score.

Khilan A. Patel’s 12-ball 30 added to the late fireworks as India finished with 352/8 from their 50 overs.

Chasing a daunting total, Zimbabwe lost their openers Nathaniel Hlabangana, Dhruv Patel and Brendon Senzere early in the chase. Kian Blignaut and Leeroy Chiwaula attempted to rebuild the Zimbabwean innings, with the latter also bringing up a resilient half-century.

But Ayush Mhatre and Udhav Mohan snapped up three wickets each, helping India curtail the Zimbabwe challenge to 148 after a lower-order collapse.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2026