Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed (right) celebrates after taking a catch to dismiss New Zealand captain Kane Williamson (Paul ELLIS)

Birmingham (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Leg-spinner Shadab Khan grabbed the prized wicket of Kane Williamson as Pakistan dominated unbeaten New Zealand in their World Cup match at Edgbaston on Wednesday.

The skipper steadied the ship after Shaheen Shah Afridi’s burst of three wickets but Shadab produced a beautiful delivery to entice him into giving an edge to wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed and he departed for 41.

Williamson, who had scored centuries in each of his previous innings, put on 37 for the fifth wicket with Jimmy Neesham after New Zealand had slipped to 46-4.

Left-arm medium-pacer Shaheen earlier took three wickets in the space of 20 balls, finishing his first spell with 3-11 in seven overs.

Mohammad Amir was first to strike, bowling Martin Guptill with the New Zealand score on five before Shaheen had opener Colin Munro caught by Haris Sohail in the slips for 12.

Ross Taylor edged a Shaheen delivery to Sarfaraz and Tom Latham departed in similar fashion.

Overnight rain delayed the start in Birmingham by an hour but the umpires decided the match would remain at 50 overs per side.

New Zealand, who are second on the 10-team table with 11 points, kept the same team for the fifth match in a row.

Pakistan, who are seventh in the table with five points, also kept faith with the team that beat South Africa at Lord’s on Sunday.

If New Zealand win they will join title-holders Australia in the semi-finals.

Disclaimer: Validity of the above story is for 7 Days from original date of publishing. Source: AFP.