CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - A half-century by Imran Nazir and three wickets from paceman Umar Gul helped Pakistan beat New Zealand by six wickets with seven balls to spare on Saturday to reach the final of the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup.

Gul was not introduced until the 12th over at Newlands but quickly removed Scott Styris (18), Peter Fulton (10) and Jacob Oram (1) to restrict New Zealand to a modest 143 for eight after electing to bat first.

Opener Nazir, batting with a runner after injuring his leg, then lashed three fours and five sixes in his 41-ball innings of 59 to lead Pakistan to victory.

Nazir put on 60 for the first wicket with Mohammad Hafeez (32).

Pakistan were never behind the asking rate and remained in control throughout the run chase. Captain Shoaib Malik (26 not out) finished the contest in style by hammering off-spinner Jeetan Patel over mid-wicket for six.

"Every captain dreams of taking his team to a world cup final and I feel the same way," Malik said.

"We will try to win the final and give this gift to the nation in the holy month of Ramadan which is blessed with showers from the Almighty."