WORLD T20: Rizwan drops anchor to give Pakistan first win

Muhammad Rizwan made a steady unbeaten half-century as Pakistan kept their slim hopes of qualifying for the T20 World Cup Super 8s alive with a seven-wicket win over Canada in New York.

Aaron Johnson hit four sixes- the joint most by any player in an innings at this ground- as he made an eye-catching 52 off 44 balls to help Canada reach 106-7.

Mohammad Amir finished with 2-13 for Pakistan, while Haris Rauf moved to 101 T20 international wickets with figures of 2-26.

Rizwan and Babar Azam laid the platform for Pakistan’s reply with a stand of 63 for the second wicket before the latter was caught behind for 33 off Dilon Heyliger, who claimed 2-18.

Rizwan, who finished with a run-a-ball 53, got Pakistan close to the target before Usman Khan hit the winning runs with 15 balls to spare.

Pakistan must beat Ireland in their final game in Florida, improving their net run-rate in the process, and hope results elsewhere go their way to finish in the top two in Group A.

Despite this defeat Canada could also still mathematically qualify but would need to pull off a major shock and beat India in their last pool game for starters.