New Zealand have been left celebrating in their team hotel as they watched Pakistan fall short in their bold bid to rob them of a place in the T20 World Cup semi-finals.
Pakistan needed to conjure up a 65-run victory or better against co-hosts Sri Lanka in Pallekele to qualify ahead of the Black Caps but though they amassed a huge 8-212, headed by a record-breaking ton from Sahibzada Farhan, they ultimately could only manage a five-run victory after a thrilling denouement on Saturday.
Yet there must have been nervous moments as New Zealand skipper Mitch Santner and his team watched the drama unfold on television back in Colombo as Pakistan tried to restrict Sri Lanka to a total of 147 or less that would have eliminated the Kiwis and ensured they progressed with a superior net run-rate.
