SAEED Anwar and Wajahatullah Wasti set a World Cup record opening stand as Pakistan coasted into the final with a nine-wicket win over New Zealand at Old Trafford on Wednesday. They put on 194 to beat the previous best of 186 South Africans Gary Kirsten and Andrew Hudson made against the Netherlands in Rawalpindi in 1996. Anwar completed his second successive Cup century from 137 balls with eight fours and was unbeaten on 113 when Pakistan reached their target with 15 balls to spare. Wasti made 84. Earlier, Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar took three wickets at key moments to make New Zealand work hard for their 50-over total of 241 for seven. He ended an important fourth wicket stand of 94 between captain Stephen Fleming and Roger Twose by bowling Fleming for 41 with an unplayable inswinger yorker. Pakistan, the 1992 champions, will meet the winners of Thursday’s second semi-final between Australia and South Africa.