Pakistan keep T20 World Cup hopes alive after much-needed victory against Canada

Following their shock opening loss to co-hosts USA, and defeat against rivals India, Pakistan's tournament would have been over if they failed to triumph at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Tuesday.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and put Canada into bat, with opener Aaron Johnson beginning the innings with back-to-back boundaries.

But Mohammad Amir set Pakistan on their way when he took out Navneet Dhaliwal's middle stump.

New man Pargat Singh (two) lasted only six balls after he was caught at first slip off Shaheen Shah Afridi, with Nicholas Kirton scoring just one before he was run out in the seventh over.

Johnson continued to impress as he brought up Canadaâ™s 50 only for Shreyas Movva (two) and Ravinderpal Singh (zero) to fall in quick succession.

Johnson survived a scare when he was dropped on 44, taking advantage of Fakhar Zaman's mistake to bring up his half-century with four sixes.

But Johnson (52) was removed by Naseem Shah with Canada setting a target of just 107 for their opponents, Amir the pick of the bowlers with two for 13.

Pakistan's Saim Ayub (six) fell in the fourth over but skipper Babar steadied the ship, bringing up the 50 partnership with opener Rizwan from 49 balls.

Babar was dismissed for 33 off 33 balls when he nicked Dillon Heyliger's delivery to keeper Movva.

However, Rizwan's 53 off as many deliveries allowed Pakistan to cruise to victory with 15 balls to spare.

Pakistan must beat Ireland in their final Group A match on Sunday, and still rely on results going their way to make it to the next phase.

READ MORE: Heinrich Klaasen says change in mindset was key for Proteas in New York