New York: A clinical bowling performance led by Mohammad Amir (2-13) and Haris Rauf (2-26) and an unbeaten half-century by Mohammad Rizwan (53 not out) helped Pakistan beat Canada by seven wickets to register their first win in preliminary round Group A in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup here.
A strong showing in the field meant they were able to secure the victory they knew they needed if they were to progress - but they may yet regret not winning more resoundingly if they fail to grab their place in the next stage of the tournament.
Canada made 106/7 from 20 overs, thanks primarily to a brilliant half-century by Aaron Johnson, who has now scored eight fifty-plus scores in T20Is, the most for Canada, breaking Navneet Dhaliwal's record. Johnson scored 52 off 44 balls, studded with four boundaries and as many sixes.
Pakistan went into the match knowing that they needed a win at the Nassau County International Stadium, and quite possibly by a significant margin, to get their campaign back on track with one more group fixture (against Ireland) to follow.
Mohammad Amir made an early breakthrough with a terrific ball demolishing the stumps of Navneet Dhaliwal, leaving Canada 20/1 after three overs.
