Cricket news round-up – 27 June: Pakistan hand New Zealand their first defeat, Gayle reverses retirement decision

New Zealand lost their first match of the 2019 World Cup, to Pakistan at Old Trafford. Elsewhere, Chris Gayle has reversed his decision to retire after the World Cup, while Surrey and Glamorgan won their respective matches in the County Championship.

Pakistan stay alive, New Zealand’s streak ends

Pakistan beat New Zealand by 6 wickets at Edgbaston to keep their World Cup 2019 semi-final hopes alive. On the other hand, this was New Zealand’s first defeat of the tournament.

An excellent exhibition of swing bowling from Shaheen Shah Afridi (3/28) left New Zealand reeling at 46/4. Things went further downhill when Kane Williamson departed for 41, but Jimmy Neesham (97*) and Colin de Grandhomme (64) turned things around with a stand of 132 in 128 balls. New Zealand finished on 237/6.

It was not an easy target on a difficult pitch, especially after Pakistan were 44/2. The ball took substantial turn, but Babar Azam carved out a beautiful unbeaten 101, adding 66 with Mohammad Hafeez (32) and 126 with Haris Sohail (68). Pakistan reached home with 5 balls to spare.

Universe Boss to play India series

Chris Gayle has withdrawn his decision to retire after the World Cup. He will feature in the ODI series against India that will follow the tournament, though he will give the T20Is a skip. He is also keen on featuring in one Test.

Gayle has also marked out Nicholas Pooran as West Indies’ future superstar.

County Championship Division 1 roundup

At The Oval, Surrey turned a 36-run deficit to a 74-run victory. Resuming at 141/3, Surrey reached 325 thanks mostly to Mark Stoneman (71), Dean Elgar (53), Sam Curran (52), and Rikki Clarke (49). Craig Miles took 5/91 and Jeetan Patel 3/65.

Will Rhodes (43) and Dominic Sibley (73) added 70 for the opening stand in response, but once the stand broke, Warwickshire were bowled out for 215 to lose by 74 runs. Gareth Batty claimed 4/34.

County Championship Division 2 roundup

Gloucestershire began the day at Bristol on 41/2, 67 runs ahead. However, they soon collapsed to 161, Michael Hogan (4/22) doing most of the damage. Marnus Labuschagne (82) then helped Glamorgan chase down the total.

Leicestershire finished the Day Three at Northampton on 273/7, still 26 behind Northamptonshire. Hassan Azad (92) and Mark Cosgrove (63) had taken them to 222/2 at one point before being pegged back.

Despite their 152-run lead, Durham did not enforce the follow-on at Hove. Instead, Alex Lees (143) and Gareth Harte (77) added 220, allowing Durham to set 437. Chris Rushworth (3/11) then reduced Sussex to 59/3 by stumps.