Boult beats Sohail twice in a row outside the off-stump as the left-hander pokes before he slashes one past point for two runs to complete his second half-century in a row, from 63 balls.

He clips the next square on the leg side for two more runs to raise the 100-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Sohail looks in a hurry as he lofts the last ball over mid-off for a four as Pakistan race towards victory.

Pacer Ferguson is back into the attack. Three singles before the fast bowler sends down a wide and Sohail pulls the fifth ball for one.

Azam pulls the last ball for a boundary to take his score to 99 to bring the target down to 14.

Boult continues as Sohail pulls the second ball to fine leg for one to bring Azam back on strike.

The whole Edgbaston stadium packed with Pakistani fans is up on their feet, as they cheer for Azam.

He taps the third ball to point before he tries to drive a cross-seam delivery and is beaten on the outside edge.

Azam then shuffles across and tries to tap it on the leg side but is beaten and can't find the gap off the last ball.

Boult finishes with four dot balls in a row to end with figures of one for 48 in 10 overs.

Ferguson bowls wide as Sohail slaps it past point for a four to bring the target under 10 and then takes a quick single to mid-off to bring Azam back on strike.

Azam slaps the last ball to deep point for a single to complete his century from 124 balls. He becomes the first Pakistan middle order batsman to hit a century in the World Cup in 32 years.

A wide from Ferguson before Sohail carves a full toss over the off-side for two runs.

Henry is back into the attack. Azam and Sohail pick a single before the former blocks the third ball which falls near the pitch and he is called for a quick single.

Guptill does well to rush in as he collects the ball and dives full length into the stumps to effect the run out of Sohail for 68, ending a crucial 126-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Sarfaraz Khan picks a single to level scores before Azam defends the last ball to take the game into the final over.

Ferguson to bowl the final over as Sarfaraz hits a full toss through the covers for a four to take Pakistan to a six-wicket victory which keeps their hopes alive of making it to the semis.

Change of ends for Boult. Sohail takes one from the first ball before Azam plays two dot balls and then takes a single. Sohail then opens the face of the bat and steers Boult fine on the off-side for a four.

Azam decides to target Santner as he slog sweeps the left-arm spinner over square leg for a four. He repeats the shot again off the next ball for another four followed by three singles as Pakistan go past 200, in the 42nd over.

In the next over, Sohail clips Boult on the leg side for one before Azam plays a beautiful cover drive for two runs and is only denied a boundary courtesy of a brilliant diving save from Ferguson at sweeper cover.

Santner, who was hit for two fours in his previous over, will bowl out here. A single to Sohail before Azam pulls a short ball which is half stopped by midwicket for two runs.

Pakistan need 31 from six overs for victory.

A desperate New Zealand bring back Boult. Sohail clips the first ball to deep square leg for a single and Azam gets the next to fine leg for one.

Sohail then lofts Boult back over his head for a six followed by two dot balls as Pakistan gain the upperhand in this tight run chase.

Williamson continues despite going for runs in his previous over. Three singles from five balls before Sohail drills the last ball through the covers for a four.

Santner is back into the attack and this could be the last throw of the dice s far as New Zealand is concerned.

Azam picks a single on the off-side before Sohail is beaten by some sharp turn as it goes down the leg side and the appeal for stumping is dismissed.

Sohail then taps a short ball into the covers for a single and Guptill in the covers lets a drive from Azam go through to concede two runs.

Pakistan in control on 183 for three in 40 overs, with another 55 needed for victory from 10 overs.

Azam has played well to stroke 78 from 100 balls, while Sohail has stroked 40 from 51 balls, with the duo putting on 73 from 91 balls so far for the fourth wicket.

The run rate has touched the six per over mark and New Zealand still have three overs of Santner to come and five from Boult.

Pakistan will need to do better against Williamson, who concedes three in his sixth over, having taken one for 22 so far.

New Zealand take a gamble as part-time medium pacer Colin Munro comes into the attack to probably bowl some off-cutters.

Azam picks the slower ball early and despatches it over the covers for a four to bring up Pakistan's 150 and then steers the next to short thirdman for one.

Sohail also doing well to take one to long-on before Munro bowls a wide and Azam drives the last ball to sweeper cover for a single to get nine from the over.

Azam showing good common sense as he now targets part-timer Williamson. He chips down the track and lofts the offie over mid-off for a four and then pulls the next for another boundary.

A single each to the two batsmen as Williamson concedes 10 in his seventh over.

Pakistan are 164 for three in 37 overs, needing another 74 from 13 overs for victory.

Williamson continues as he Sohail takes a single off the first ball followed by a wide before Azam picks one.

Williamson then pitches in the right spot, drawing left-hander Sohail forward who is then beaten as he looks to defend before he misses again and then keeps strike with one from the last ball.

Pacer Ferguson comes back into the attack as he replace Santner, who bowled seven overs in his first spell.

He bowls a wide down the leg side before Sohail picks a single and Azam pulls the next for two runs as four come from the over.

Williamson bowls another tidy over, conceding just three singles as Pakistan continue to build and take the target under the 100-run mark, with 99 needed from 17 overs for victory at just under six.

Ferguson continues as Sohail runs the first ball to thirdman for one and Azam drives the next to sweeper cover for another single followed by another one for the former.

Pakistan are panicking out here. Azam top edges the pull shot against Santner and it falls just short of the fielder rushing in from fine leg.

Santner gets one to turn sharply into left-hander Haris Sohail from the rough before he comes down and taps the next to long-on for a single.

Williamson continues as Azam flicks the second ball to fine leg for a single to bring up his fifty, from 65 balls.

Sohail picks one before Azam pulls a short ball but can't beat Taylor at square leg.

Santner gets the ball to turn sharply as Sohail is beaten and hit on the pads. He then comes down the track but is beaten as the ball goes off the pads to put off the wicketkeeper before the left-hander picks one off the last ball.

Williamson drops short as Sohail cuts it for a four before he is beaten next ball as it turns sharply. He then tries to hit it through the covers but is beaten again and misses the last ball too.

In the next over, Sohail takes the chances as he comes down the track and lofts Santner over long-on for a six.

Pakistan are 128 for three in 30 overs, needing another 110 runs from 20 overs for victory.

With no other spinner in the team, captain Williamson brings himself into the attack to bowl some part-time off-spin.

Azam taps the first ball on the off-side for one before Hafeez drives a wide delivery past point for two runs and gets a single as the cover fielder misfields.

Hafeez then throws it away as he holes out part-timer Williamson straight into the hands of Ferguson at deep midwicket to perish for 32.

Poor thinking from Hafeez as he gifts his wicket away when the need of the hour was to continue batting in the same vein and bat the Kiwis out of the game.

So the gamble to bring himself into the attack has worked wonders for Williamson and New Zealand.

Interestingly, this is the third time in the World Cup that Hafeez has fallen to part-time spinners having being dismissed by Australia's Aaron Finch and Aiden Markram.

New Zealand operating with Neesham from one end, who is basically looking to keep things tight from end, while Santner attacks from the other.

He is posing no problems with the ball, as Pakistan easily pick three runs off his second over.

Santner getting the ball to talk as Azam gets a thick outside edge past the slips for two runs and is then beaten by one which turns big.

Azam (38) is then put down by wicketkeeper Latham by Santner, who gets the ball to turn sharply with some extra bounce to take the edge.

Hafeez taps Neesham to point for one before Azam steers the next past point for two runs and he swings the fourth ball over midwicket for a four.

Hafeez gets a thick outside edge off the last ball for another four as Neesham goes for 13 in his third over as Pakistan cross the 100-run mark, in the 23rd over.

Pakistan's batsmen doing the sensible thing by batting cautiously against Santner, who is getting the ball to rip, as they try to play him out.

The spinner concedes just a single from his fourth over as Azam plays four dot balls in a row and then takes one.

Azam plays a cracking shot, hitting a wide ball from Ferguson past point for a four and then runs the next to thirdman for one.

Hafeez is beaten outside the off-stump as he pokes away from his body and then ducks under a bouncer which is ruled a wide.

Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner comes into the attack, to bowl the 18th over.

The first ball turns sharply as Azam is beaten all ends up before he takes a single next ball.

Hafeez picks one before Azam is beaten again as Santner gets some sharp turn before the right-hander gets a leading edge for a single off the last ball.

New Zealand's hero with the bat Jimmy Neesham comes into the attack. Azam watchfully defends the first three balls before he is beaten playing away from his body but gets a boundary off the last ball through point.

Hafeez steers Santner past point for a couple before the spinner gets one to turn sharply and bounce going past the edge.

Pakistan are 86 for two in 20 overs, with Azam on 34 and Hafeez on 23.

Hafeez again caught on the crease as he looks to play a full delivery which comes in sharply and narrowly misses the off-stump.

Ferguson drops slightly short and gives width as Hafeez punches it through the coves for a four.

Another short ball and this time Hafeez pulls it through square leg for the second four of the over.

An angry Ferguson responds with a quick bouncer as Hafeez goes for the pull but is beaten for pace as the ball strikes the grill of the helmet.

No signs of spin yet as de Grandhomme continues. Azam steers the first ball fine on the off-side past short thirdman for a couple and then picks a single through midwicket.

A short wide delivery from de Grandhomme is slashed past point for a four by Hafeez as Pakistan keep up with the asking rate, to reach 71 for two in 16 overs.

Hafeez has played positively to score 20 from 29 balls, with four boundaries, while Azam has made 23 from 28 balls.

Pacer Lockie Ferguson comes into the attack in place of Boult, who took one for 22 in five overs in his first spell.

Ferguson strikes in his first over with the wicket of Imam, who is brilliantly caught by Guptill for 19. The short ball kicked off quite viciously as Imam could only fend with his gloves as it popped on the off-side and Guptill came up with a dive forward and takes it inches of the ground.

Mohammad Hafeez survives a run out chance as he taps the ball on the leg side and sets off for a run before he is sent back and is lucky that the fielder misses the direct hit.

Hafeez then awkwardly keeps out the bouncer which comes in sharply and he then plays a loose poke away from his body and is beaten again.

Another cracking bouncer from Ferguson which comes in sharply as Hafeez is hit on the gloves as it goes through the vacant leg gully region for a single to fine leg.

Henry continues, bowling his sixth over on the trot. This time Hafeez bats watchfully playing out five dot balls in a row before he picks a single off the last ball.

Henry went for 11 in his first over, but since then has conceded 11 from the next five overs as New Zealand managed to keep things in check.

There is a slight holdup in play as the sightscreen issues crop up again, we already had a similar issue during the New Zealand but no action was taken during the change of innings.

Ferguson continues as Hafeez plays a full delivery off the backfoot and is beaten outside the off-stump. The next ball is short and this time Hafeez pulls it over square leg for a four to take Pakistan past the 50-run mark, in the 13th over.

Colin de Grandhomme comes into the attack in place of Henry. Hafeez turns the third ball on the leg side for a single before Azam plays a nice cover drive for two runs and then clips the last ball on the leg side for two more.

This is good bowling from New Zealand as the pacers dry up the runs and look to build some pressure.

Azam looks keen to get on with things but Henry sticks to a good line and length, bowling five dots in a row.

Azam then looks to swing Henry over the leg side but manages only a single to deep square leg.

In the next over, Boult cuts Azam into half with one which holds it line, beating the attempted flick and also passes very close to the off-stump. The next ball is right in the slot as Azam crashes it through the covers for a four but Boult comes back as he goes past the edge next ball.

Boult switches to round the wicket and goes for the full incoming delivery but Azam plays another glorious drive through the covers for a four.

A single each to Imam and Azam off Henry's fifth over as Pakistan reach 43 for one in 10 overs, needing another 195 runs in 40 overs for victory at an asking rate of just under five.

Henry, who went for runs in his first over, continues. He starts off well in his second over with three dot balls in a row to Imam, who then takes a quick run off the fourth before Babar Azam defends the last two balls.

Boult creates another chance as Imam plays away from his body and gets an edge which goes past the second slip fielder for a four. The left-hander then watchfully plays the rest of the over as Boult sends down another good over.

Azam looking to break the shackles as he miscues the pull shot off Henry but it just evades a diving de Grandhomme running back from midwicket as the right-hander picks up a couple. He then punches a short wide delivery through the covers for three runs and Imam steals a quick run to mid-off.

Imam drives Boult through the covers for a couple before he defends the rest of the over.

Trent Boult to open the bowling for New Zealand, who will be looking for a few early wickets.

The first ball is right on the mark as Imam-ul-Haq gets an inside edge on to the pads trying to defend.

He then blocks the next two balls before trying to run it down to thirdman as the fielder at second slip makes a good stop before Imam pulls the last ball for a four to get off the mark.

Matt Henry to bowl from the other end. Fakhar Zaman gets off the mark in confident fashion as he drills a half-volley through the covers for a four.

Zaman picks one off the fourth ball before Imam hits a straight drive off an overpitched delivery for another four before clipping the last ball to square leg for two runs, to get 11 from the over.

This is some start from Pakistan. Boult bowls it wide aiming to get some swing as Zaman hits it through the covers for a four before the left-hander is beaten a few balls later by the incoming delivery.

Boult then makes the breakthrough with the wicket of Zaman, who looks to flick it through midwicket but gets a leading edge and is caught on the off-side for nine.

Jimmy Neesham's unbeaten 97 rallied New Zealand after a horror start as they posted a competitive 237 for six, against Pakistan in Birmingham.

Electing to bat, New Zealand were left reeling on 46 for four in the 13th over, with courtesy of Shaheen Afridi, who took 3/28 in 10 overs.

Neesham then steadied the ship in company of his captain Kane Williamson, who made 41, before he was caught behind off Shadab Khan.

He then got the innings back on track, adding 132 runs for the sixth wicket with Colin de Grandhomme, who played a sensible innings of 64 from 71 balls.

New Zealand made a good recovering, scoring 85 runs from the last 10 overs for the loss of one wicket.

Neesham pulls a short ball from Riaz through midwicket placing it perfectly in the gap for a four.

Riaz tries the slower ball as he ends up bowling a full toss which catches Neesham by surprise as he taps it back to the bowler and then takes one.

De Grandhomme is then run out as he runs a slower ball to thirdman and looks to steal the second run. But Amir collects the ball cleanly and sends back a flat throw back to wicketkeeper Sarfaraz to catch de Grandhomme short.

De Grandhomme is run out after a good innings of 64 from 71 balls as he put on 131 runs for the sixth wicket with Neesham to bring New Zealand back on track.

Amir bowls a good yorker as Neesham can only defend before he takes a single to mid-off from the next ball.

Amir drifts on the pads as Santner clips it behind square for two runs and then takes a single to fine leg.

Amir has gone for runs today, finishing with one for 67 in his 10 overs.

Riaz to bowl the final over. Santner picks a single off the first ball before Neesham pulls the next to deep midwicket and comes back for the second.

Riaz bowls a yorker as Neesham can only dig it back to the bowler. He then gets two runs off the next as Imam concedes the extra run off a poor throw.

Riaz then bowls a wide before Neesham gets it off the toe end as he looks to loft it down the ground and gets two runs. He gets the last middle perfectly off the middle, pull it over midwicket for a six to end the innings on a high.

Neesham finishes unbeaten on 97 to rally New Zealand to a competitive 237 for six in their 50 overs.

Pacer Riaz is back into the attack. Grandhomme and Neesham are still playing the waiting game, not taking the chances yet as they look for singles against the Pakistan pacers.

De Grandhomme clips the second ball behind square for one and Neesham takes one to point before the pacer bowls a wide as the slower ball goes wrong.

De Grandhomme then clips the fourth ball through midwicket for two runs followed by a single and Neesham misses the flick but gets a leg bye off the last ball.

Neesham cuts loose as he swings Amir over midwicket for a six before he lofts the next for a single to long-on.

Amir goes for the yorker but ends up bowling a wide before de Grandhomme clubs the slower ball straight down the ground for a four.

Two singles from the next two balls before de Grandhomme glances the last ball for a four, to get 18 runs from the over.

De Grandhomme pulls Afridi for a single to deep square leg and Neesham hits the next ball straight to the bowler, who manages to come up with a good stop.

Neesham is then beaten by a wide yorker as Pakistan appeal for caught behind.

There are doubts as to whether the ball hit the bottom of the bat or whether the bat missed the ball and hit the ground and it turns out to be latter as the decision is ruled not out.

The umpires are checking again and this time it is Pakistan, who ask for the review which is again turned down. Interestingly, when the umpires take the review the Ultra Edge is not used and hence Pakistan decided to have another look but there was no edge.

Another yorker which Neesham hits to mid-off for one and de Grandhomme hits the next ball to Riaz at mid-off and manages to take the single easily.

Neesham takes another single off the last ball as Afridi concedes four in his last over to finish with wonderful figures of 3/28 in 10 overs, including three maidens.

In the next over, de Grandhomme takes a single to thirdman to complete his fifty from 63 balls, a superb knock under pressure to bail his team out of a desperate situation.

Amir then strays down the leg side as Neesham flicks it behind square for a four to raise the 100-run stand from 111 balls.

Leggie Shadab, who has one over in hand, comes back into the attack. He ends his spell with a tidy over, giving away just three singles. A good outing with the ball for Shadab, who finishes with one for 43 in 10 overs.

Afridi overpitches on the stumps as Neesham clips it through midwicket for three runs before de Grandhomme takes a single off the next.

Afridi tries the slower ball which strays down the leg side as Neesham clips it behind square for a four and then takes a single.

De Grandhomme flicks the last ball through midwicket for two runs to get 11 from the over.

Amir, who has four overs in hand, comes back into the attack. Neesham defends the first ball watchfully and then takes a single off the next.

De Grandhomme then lofts a wide delivery over the mid-off fielder for a four and then takes a leg bye off the last ball.

Pace from both ends as Riaz comes back into the attack. De Grandhomme defends the first ball on the off-side before is beaten trying to chase a wide delivery.

He then picks a single into the covers before Riaz is given an official warning for running on to the pitch.

Neesham then pulls a short ball over midwicket for two runs as he inches closer to his fifty.

Amir looking to build the pressure with some tight bowling but Neesham and de Grandhomme doing well to read the situation and not chance their arm against Amir and Riaz.

A single each to de Grandhomme and Neesham before the former nearly chops it back on to his stumps and is beaten last ball on the outside edge.

Neesham is beaten next over as he tries to pull a short ball from Riaz but misses and he takes a quick single next ball.

Riaz bowls a quick bouncer to de Grandhomme, who lets it go before he looks to drive the next through the off-side but is beaten.

De Grandhomme then top edges the pull shot as it goes over the wicketkeeper for a four. He takes a single off the last ball to bring up New Zealand's 150, in the 39th over.

Pakistan's best bowler of the day, Afridi comes back into the attack. He starts with a slower ball which goes away from the right-hander who pokes and is beaten.

The next ball is again another good slower ball which goes through de Grandhomme to beat him all ends up.

He takes a single off the fourth ball and Neesham picks one off the fifth to bring up his fifty from 77 balls.

New Zealand have made a slight recovery to reach 152 for five in 40 overs, with Neesham on 50 and de Grandhomme on 38.

A single to Neesham and de Grandhomme before the former lofts Wasim over the covers for a four.

He tries to drive the last ball but gets a thick inside edge on to his pads.

The two New Zealand all-rounder trying to force the pace. Shadab drops short as de Grandhomme pulls it over midwicket for a six followed by singles off the last two balls.

He then drills a full wide delivery through the covers for two runs and picks a single from the last ball to get 11 from the over.

New Zealand are looking to counter-attack as 38 runs have come from the last five overs.

Neesham and de Grandhomme looking to take charge, having put on 49 runs from 52 balls for the sixth wicket so far.

Pakistan bring back their top wicket-taking option Amir back into the attack, looking to end this partnership.

He starts his spell with a slower ball which beats de Grandhomme before he runs the next ball past the wicketkeeper for one to raise the 50-run stand for the sixth wicket from 54 balls.

Neesham has had enough of defending as he pulls a short ball through midwicket for a four.

He nearly drags the next ball back on to his stumps as he gets an inside edge. The ball looked set to drop on to the stumps before Neesham manages to deflect the ball away with his bat.

Neesham is then foxed by a slower ball as he miscues it on the leg side but it clears the fielder at midwicket inside the circle to get him three runs.

De Grandhomme is frustrated as he is not allowed to get the boundaries. He looks to break the shackles, trying to loft Shadab down the ground but gets a thick outside edge which falls just short of point.

Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim comes into the attack. A single to Neesham off the first ball before de Grandhomme glances the third ball fine for two runs to bring up New Zealand's 100, in the 32nd over, followed by three more singles.

Neesham finally gets going as he lofts Shadab back over his head for a straight six, the first of the match, in the 33rd over.

He takes a single before de Grandhomme also goes hard but gets a thick outside edge past the slip fielder for a four.

Shadab nearly gets him next ball as he gets it to turn almost square as de Grandhomme is squared up and beaten all ends up.

Colin de Grandhomme nudges Riaz on the leg side for a single before Neesham is beaten as he pokes away from his body. Wicketkeeper Sarfaraz is extremely confident but the bowler Riaz is not interested and thankfully they decide against the review as the ball was well away from the bat.

Neesham then steers the fourth ball to thirdman for one before de Grandhomme tries to play the pull shot but misses. He then throws his bat at a wide full delivery but again he fails to make connection and is beaten.

Shadab continues to be tight to keep up the pressure from his end as he concedes just two singles in his sixth over, having conceded just 14 runs so far.

Riaz tempts de Grandhomme with the wide delivery as the right-hander chances his arm but is beaten. He then drives a full delivery down the ground back past the bowler for a four.

Riaz then produces another beauty to go past the edge as de Grandhomme attempts to defend.

He then survives a run-out chance by the narrowest of margins as Shadab at point got the direct hit but de Grandhomme manages to drag his bat just in time.

New Zealand are reeling on 94 for five in 30 overs, scoring at just over three runs per over.

Neesham has struggled to score 22 from 54 balls, while de Grandhomme is on eight.

It will take a special effort from both or either one of them to drag New Zealand past the 200-run mark.

Riaz goes wide as Neesham hits it to sweeper cover for a single before Williamson defends the next and then offers no shot to the third.

A single to Williamson through the covers before Neesham steers the next to thirdman for another run.

Shadab leaves New Zealand in tatters with the big wicket of Williamson. The Kiwi captain comes forward to defend but the leggie gets the ball to turn sharply, taking the edge and wicketkeeper Sarfaraz completes another sharp catch.

Williamson walks back for 41 as New Zealand slip to 83 for five in the 27th over.

Neesham steers Shadad square on the off-side for a single and Williamson takes one in the covers, before the former takes two runs off the last ball.

Pakistan make a change as left-arm pacer Wahab Riaz comes into the attack to bowl the 22nd over, in place of Hafeez, who bowled seven overs for 22 runs.

Williamson defends the first two balls before he clips the third through square leg for two runs.

Williamson nearly perishes as he looks to slap a short ball through the off-side but gets an inside edge which narrowly misses the stumps and goes fine on the leg side for a four.

Riaz then gets the ball to slant away from Williamson, who is beaten, and does the same last ball to again go past the edge of the Kiwi captain.

Shadab bowls a tidy over, giving away just two singles in his third over.

Riaz tries to drag Williamson wide but the Kiwi captain is happy to let them go before he taps one off his body on the leg side for one.

The pacer then tries a short ball which Neesham lets go through to the wicketkeeper and is beaten last ball trying to cut it.

Shadab a touch short as Williamson slaps it through the covers for a single. Neesham defends watchfully before he is beaten trying to cut it before he clips the last ball through midwicket for one.

At the halfway stage, New Zealand are struggling on 79 for four in 25 overs.

Williamson has held one end up to score 40 from 64 balls, while Neesham has managed just 16 from 43 balls.

Williamson takes another single as he drives Hafeez to long-on before Neesham gets a thick inside edge to square leg for two runs to take New Zealand past the 50-run mark, in the 17th over.

He then clips the fourth ball on the leg side for a single and Williamson plays out the last two balls.

Afridi continues as he bowls his seventh over in a row in his first spell. Neesham being extra watchful as he gently taps a full toss on the off-side before taking a quick run off the third and Williamson picks a single off the last ball.

Pakistan looking to get as much overs as possible out of Hafeez as New Zealand continue to rebuild.

Williamson picks one to long-on before Neesham tries to loft it down the ground and nearly holes out. However, the ball clears the fielder at mid-on to get him a couple before he takes one off the last ball.

Afridi, who bowled a splendid spell of 3 for 11 in seven overs, including three maidens, gets a break.

Leg-spinner Shadab Khan comes into the attack, to bowl the 19th over.

Neesham picks a single off the second ball into the covers and Williamson takes one two balls later as Shadab concedes just two in his first over.

Hafeez continues as Neesham and Williamson milk the part-time spinner for four singles to take the score to 64 for four in 20 overs.

Time for Pakistan to introduce leg-spinner Shadab Khan and continue to hunt for wickets from the other end. But Sarfaraz is happy to continue with part-timer Hafeez, who bowls another tidy over, giving away just two singles.

Neesham needs to bat responsibly as there is not much batting to follow for the Kiwis. He should look to play out the spell from Afridi and support Williamson, who has looked untroubled so far.

Neesham goes fishing at a wide delivery from Afridi and nearly gets an edge before he sensibly offers no shot to the next.

He defends the last ball as Afridi bowls his third maiden over, out of a total six overs bowled so far. Brilliant bowling by the young Pakistan fast bowler.

Afridi is on fire. Williamson picks a single before the pacer strikes with another wicket as Latham is beaten by some slight movement as he gets a thin edge and is caught behind for one.

New Zealand in a complete mess on 46 for four, in the 13th over.

James Neesham nearly perishes first ball as Afridi produces another superb delivery as the left-hander pokes and sees it goes past the edge and he then leaves alone the next two deliveries.

Shaheen Afridi so far 5-2-9-3

Left-arm spinner Imad Wasim comes into the attack in place of Amir, who took one for 23 in four overs in his first spell.

Williamson taps the second ball on the leg side for a single and Tom Latham gets a bye next ball as wicketkeeper Sarfaraz fails to collect it cleanly.

Williamson then plays the late cut, getting it past short thirdman for three runs before Latham clips the last ball on the leg side for a single to get off the mark.

New Zealand have made a horror start as they are reduced to 44 for three in 10 overs.

A lot of onus now rests on captain Williamson, who is among the runs in the World Cup. He has got off to a start, scoring 21 from 29 balls and would be keen to bat as long as possible to help his team post a healthy total.

Afridi continues as Latham defends the first ball before he offers no shot to the next two. Afridi then bowls a full delivery as Latham defends it on the off-side and leaves the next ball before he blocks the last ball.

Second maiden over in a row for Afridi, who has impressive figures of 4-2-8-2 so far.

Part-timer Hafeez is back into the attack. Williamson gets a single from the second ball through the covers but Latham is unable to get a run from the next four deliveries.

Amir overpitches as Williamson drives it through the covers for a four. Amir then drops it a bit short and this time Williamson punches it square for another boundary.

Amir goes to round the wicket but bowls a full delivery on the pads which the Kiwi captain clips behind square on the leg side for two runs, and then defends the rest of the over.

Afridi bowls wide as Taylor drives it square on the off-side for three runs before Williamson picks a quick single.

Afridi then strikes again with a cracking delivery on the perfect length close to the stumps which Taylor is forced to defend as he gets the edge and wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Khan takes a brilliant catch, diving full length to his right.

Taylor walks back for three as New Zealand are reduced to 38 for three in nine overs.

The in-form Williamson seems to have brought the calming influence into the New Zealand camp after the early wicket. His presence will also be vital for someone like Munro, who looks to attack at every opportunity.

Amir is unlucky to be given a wide as Munro missed the flick but the ball brushed the pad which the umpire seems to have missed. He then turns the third ball on the leg side for a single before Williamson confidently plays out the rest of the over.

Afridi strikes in his second over with the wicket of Munro. The left-hander throws his bat at a wide delivery but only gets an edge and is caught at first slip for 12.

New Zealand in early trouble on 24 for two, in the seventh over.

Ross Taylor starts off cautiously as he defends the next four balls as Afridi sends down a wicket-maiden.

Williamson clips Hafeez uppishly on the leg side past short leg as he gets a thick inside edge before the Kiwi skipper takes one on the leg side.

Munro then chips a full delivery from Hafeez gently over mid-off for a single and Williamson blocks the last ball.

In the next over, Munro looks to break the shackles as he clips a full delivery from Amir over midwicket for two runs.

Amir gives Munro some width as the left-hander slaps it through the covers for a four. The next ball is again short as Munro cuts it past point for another boundary.

Amir gets his line and length right for the rest of the over as he sends down three dots in a row.

Left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi comes into the attack as Hafeez is taken off after two overs with the new ball.

There is a long delay of nearly 10 minutes as the sightscreen at the bowler's end has some problems which takes time to get sorted.

Williamson watchfully defends the first three balls before he clips a full delivery through square leg for a four.

Pakistan begin with spin as part-time off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez is given the new ball.

Martin Guptill sweeps the first ball of the match behind square on the leg side for a four to get off the mark in cracking fashion.

He clips the next ball but can't beat short midwicket before Guptill clips the next ball to deep square leg for one.

Interestingly, Hafeez got the third ball to grip and turn sharply into Guptill.

A slip in place for left-hander Colin Munro who defends the first ball before he goes for the slog sweep but can't make proper connection and then keeps out the last ball with a straight bat.

Mohammad Amir to bowl from the other end. He strikes with the first ball as Guptill inside edges the ball back on to the stumps to be bowled for five.

This is a huge breakthrough for Pakistan so early into the contest and it is Amir their hero with the ball again.

That was a poor shot from Guptill, playing away from his body without any foot movement as he only managed to drag it back on to his stumps.

Kane Williamson offers no shot to a wide full delivery before he is beaten next ball by another full delivery slanted across him as he tries to defend but it goes past the edge.

Williamson then taps the fourth ball on the off-side for a single to get off the mark.

Munro keeps out the last two balls as Amir makes a good start with the ball.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has won the toss and elected to bat against Pakistan in overcast conditions at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

The toss was delayed by an hour because of a wet outfield cause by a spell of steady drizzle in the morning.

New Zealand are yet again unchanged, having played the same team in all their six games of the World Cup so far.

Meanwhile, Pakistan are also unchanged.

Pakistan faced severe criticism after their loss to arch-rivals India but their 49-run win over South Africa breathed life into their campaign but the road ahead is a tough one.

With just two wins and three losses, Pakistan are in seventh spot with five points from six games.

Sarfaraz Ahmed and his men will not only have to win the remaining three matches, starting with New Zealand, but also hope that the results in other matches favour them to salvage any hopes of a semi-final berth.

New Zealand, on the other hand, have been invincible so far and currently hold the top position in the points table.

The match will get underway soon as the umpires have decided that the toss will take place at 3.30pm IST, with the match set to begin at 4pm IST.

"Positive news coming out of Birmingham!

As long as there is no more rain, the toss will take place at 11am local time, with play scheduled to start half an hour later," Cricket World Cup tweeted.

The umpires will conduct an inspection of the conditions 1030 hours local time, which is 1500 IST.

There was some light drizzle in the morning but it has stopped raining for the last hour or so and the groundstaff have already started work on taking off the covers.

The situation is improving rapidly and if there is no further rain, then the umpires won't take long to start off the game when they conduct their inspection.

Welcome to the coverage of the World Cup match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Birmingham, on Wednesday.

The toss has been delayed because of a wet outfield caused by a spell of heavy rain on Tuesday.