"I think this is the best (knock of mine in ODIs)," Azam, who is Man of the Match, says. Sarfaraz agrees. There won't be many arguments from us here. It's been a treat. Hope you all enjoyed it as much. That's all from me. Until next time, it's goodbye!
New Zealand vs Pakistan, Match 33 - Live Cricket Score, Commentary
Azam keeps the dream alive for Pakistan with special ton © AFP
The dream is alive
Edgbaston erupts as Sarfaraz knocks off the winning runs, before going on to embrace Azam in a bear hug. This has been special. A knock that transcended the conditions, the pressure, the opposition, and even Pakistan's penchant for creating drama out of nowhere. Now that is saying something. That's how good Azam was. No, he was better. Pakistan's World Cup dream is alive. You better believe it.
Babar Azam. Class.
A hundred of the highest order on a pitch where batting has been difficult, treacherous even. He has been in rich form all through the tournament, playing some pretty knocks. But this has been different level today, oozing class that New Zealand haven't had a match for. A truly great innings coming under pressure, tasked with the responsibility of keeping the dream alive. Haris Sohail, on the other end, has more than played his part with a quality fifty. But this chase has been all about Azam.
New Zealand losing the plot
Haris Sohail, after a difficult initiation to the crease against Mitchell Santner, has now grown in confidence. With Williamson opting to get through the fifth bowler's quota, rather than using his main bowlers, it has allowed the pair to take control. That is to take nothing away from how well Azam and Sohail have played. With 10 overs left, Pakistan now need 55. You can follow the ball-by-ball action
We have news
Kaushik Rangarajan is surveying the scene at Edgbaston. "Just stepped out into the stands. It's really cold and windy," he says with a shiver. Get back in Kaushik, we're having the toss at 11am local. There will be no overs lost, so that's great news.
While we wait...
Here are some write-ups that you can chew on. Take your time...
Inspection time
The scheduled inspection at 10.30 local is going about as planned. Umpires are in the middle, chatting to the groundstaff, getting a feel of the conditions. Still a bit overcast but it's not raining, so that's something to hang on to.
Build-up
So, 'there's still a chance?' I hear you ask. Well, yes. While England's propensity for creating World Cup chaos sustains, Pakistan can hope. They still need other results to go their way. But that is a problem for another day. Today, they need to take care of their own result first. Defeat is not an option. And for victory, there's a high-flying New Zealand side to overcome, who themselves have the incentive of making it to the semifinals. Before all of that transpires though, the weather needs to play ball. There was a slight drizzle in the morning, which has now cleared, but it's done enough to delay the toss. So with all these possibilities in play, this is Sagar Chawla welcoming you to our live blog.
© Cricbuzz
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