The Black Caps are officially into the Cricket World Cup semifinals.
Black Caps captain Kane Williamson and Mitchell Santner. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New Zealand have qualified for the last four after Pakistan could only manage a 94-run victory over Bangladesh at Lord's in London.
Pakistan joined the Black Caps on 11 points with the result but needed to win by a near impossible margin to take their net run-rate past New Zealand.
After making 315 for 9 batting first, Pakistan needed to bowl Bangladesh out for less than just eight runs to qualify for the semifinals.
Bangladesh were all out for 221 in the 45th over.
The Black Caps will face either Australia or India in Manchester on Tuesday night (NZ time) for a place in the final.
Meanwhile New Zealand coach Gary Stead has backed his misfiring side to return to form and advance to their second-successive final.
Ahead of an eighth World Cup semi-final, Stead believed they had put losses to Pakistan, Australia and England behind them, heading into the knockout stage.
"Our first goal was to make the semi-finals and we're pretty sure we're going to be there now so that in itself is a really good thing," Stead said.
"There are some individuals who obviously aren't getting the runs and wickets that they want to.
"But cricket is a harsh game and we all know that you're not going to be perfect every day. As long as we, as a team, can perform collectively well then that's our best chance of going further in the tournament."
Black Caps opener Martin Guptill Photo: Photosport
New Zealand finished with 11 points after a fast start when they beat Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan before a washout with India.
Centuries from captain Kane Williamson gave them tense victories over South Africa and the West Indies but they had been winless since.
The batsmen have struggled to score runs, the openers in particular failing to give them a start.
Since an unbroken 137-run stand between Martin Guptill and Colin Munro against Sri Lanka, the pair had partnerships of 35, 0, 12, 0 and five.
Henry Nicholls replaced Munro against Australia but he and Guptill had only managed 29 and two.
Stead was confident his batsmen would stand up in the semis.
"We know from the opening position spot, those guys have had a tough tournament. (But) Martin Guptill can go out there and we know he's capable of getting a double hundred.
"He could do that in the semi-final and, all of a sudden, we won't be talking about form.
"We are under no illusions. It will be a tough, tough game of cricket but, if we can fire a few shots and play at the best of our ability, then I think we're a real chance."
- Reuters, RNZ