Full marks for Guptill, and one switch too many

The extra spin

The script for New Zealand at the World T20 has been relatively straightforward. Win the toss, exploit the conditions, win the match. The first step of that sequence rested in Kane Williamson's hands as he was given the coin. He promptly spun around, and with his back to all the cameras, flipped it up. If Shahid Afridi was surprised by the unorthodoxy, he didn't give much of it away. Except his call ended up incorrect and New Zealand got first use of a batting beauty.

The 100s

Martin Guptill finished off the fifth over with full marks all round. Imad Wasim made his bid to close out an over that had cost only three runs by bowling a quick dart but the batsman was quicker. Guptill came down the pitch and unfurled a majestic swing of the arms to deposit the ball into a delirious crowd behind long-on. The host broadcaster indicated that the ball had come in at 104 kph, left the bat at 133 kph and, if the distance of that hit had been measured, it would have probably been beyond 100 metres too.

Switch on, switched off

Colin Munro is down as a left-hander but he seems just as adept batting the other way around. So when a simple push into the off side did not work as intended, he shaped up for a switch hit. Afridi was good enough to adjust and cramp the suddenly right-handed Munro for room. A late cut helped him get off strike, but the moment he was back facing up, Munro switched again and Afridi one-upped him again. The batsman did get to free his arms with a slog sweep, but it went straight to the man at sweeper cover (or deep square leg, if you prefer).

The surprise four

Sharjeel Khan looked pleased with himself. He had just smacked the leading left-arm spinner in the competition Mitchell Santner over cow corner. The sound off the bat was crisp, the hang time was impressive and everyone thought this was six. Everyone except Guptill, who knows a thing or two about hitting the ball out of the park and knew this one didn't quite have the legs. He ran after it and found himself within touching distance of pulling off a spectacular catch. Instead, the ball bounced away for four.

Bat up, Pakistan

Chasing a big total, Sharjeel's blitz had given the team just the start they needed. Eventually, it became a record-breaking one. Pakistan raised their fifty off only 24 balls - their fastest in T20Is - and it came about as a result of a nonchalant flick. Mitchell McClenaghan had given away a hat-trick of fours and, simply for a change, went around the wicket. But he offered a length ball on the pads and with a whip of the wrists, Sharjeel provided the appropriate flourish.