Pakistan wins against New Zealand to keep its perfect start intact

 It was Pakistan's second World Cup victory in a row as they chased down 135 to defeat New Zealand by five wickets.

After being asked to bat first, Haris Rauf took 4-22 as New Zealand were restricted to 134-8 from 20 overs.

With just 31 balls to go, Pakistan had fallen to 87-5 in the chase before Asif Ali (27-9 from 12 balls) hit two consecutive sixes off Tim Southee to lift his side over the line in the 19th over.

Tables and results for Pakistan vs New Zealand in the World Cup

Inflicting a defeat on the Black Caps in their opening match, Pakistan maintain their 100 per cent start to the tournament and sit atop Group 2.

Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed New Zealand's openers for a maiden as they made a steady start before Rauf entered the fray in the last over of the powerplay and dismissed Martin Guptill (17 from 20) with his second delivery.

Imad Wasim fell trying to add a third six when Darryl Mitchell (27 from 20) drilled his second six over long off and New Zealand were in trouble at 56-3 when Mohammad Hafeez struck the first ball to remove Jimmy Neesham.

Meanwhile, Kane Williamson remained in the field, likely hoping to kick on late in the innings.

Though Williamson attempted a single after pushing a Hasan Ali delivery into the offside, the bowler caught the ball and put down the stumps in a flash, preventing Williamson (25 from 26) from making any further forward progress.

Conway reached his half century off 24 balls before, in the 18th over, he was caught by Afridi and bowled by Rauf. Seifert and Santner both fell to slower deliveries by Rauf to end the New Zealand innings.

Pakistan opened the innings against India with an unbroken 152-run stand but Tim Southee smashed a slower ball through Babar Azam's (nine from eleven) defences and flattened his middle stump to pick up his 100th T20I scalp.

Pakistan were in control of the game despite losing Fakhar Zaman (11 from 17) and Mohammad Hafeez (11 from six), a stunning catch from Conway approaching the rope at long off and diving full length to claim both wickets.

In the 15th over, Trent Boult trapped Imad Wasim in front with a straight drive, bringing New Zealand back into the contest. Rizwan (33 from 34) was lbw to Ish Sodhi (2-28).

After Pakistan hit back-to-back sixes off Southee, the momentum had again shifted to their side. Despite Southee's response of three dot balls, Pakistan remained on top until the end.

Asif then hit his third six off Boult before Shoaib Malik (26 not out from 20) hit his third six off Santner for the winning runs.