New Zealand bowlers put on an outstanding display as they ended Pakistan’s nine-game unbeaten streak at the National Bank Cricket Arena Monday.
With this 85-run victory, they level the three-match series 1-1 with the decider to be played at the same venue on January 13. This defeat also shattered Pakistan’s hopes of becoming the number-one-ranked ODI side in the world.
In reply to New Zealand’s 262-run target, Pakistan were jolted early as Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson sent both openers – Imam ul Haq and Fakhar Zaman – back in the hut with just nine runs on the scoreboard.
Fakhar was caught behind without troubling the scorers, while Imam miscued a bouncer of Ferguson. He scored just six.
At that stage, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan made a 55-run stand of 99 balls for the second third wicket. They didn’t manage to get the momentum going for the Men in Green, but only to save a wicket for a while.
“Our plan was to take the game deep and will play accordingly after the 40 overs,” said Babar at the post-match ceremony. “It was difficult to bat on this track as the ball was not coming onto the bat and it was turning quite a lot.”
However, the introduction of New Zealand spinners from both ends made things worst for the home side. They not only failed to score runs but also lose key wickets at regular intervals.
Rizwan was undone with a magnificent delivery from Mitchell Santner, who finished his spell with the figures of one for 34 from his 10 overs. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 28 off 50 balls.
Haris Sohail, who made his comeback in the first ODI, only manage to score 21-ball 10. Agha Salam, who was looking good with the bat made a quick 25 (22) and was run out by Glenn Phillips as Pakistan were reduced to 124/5.
With half a side back in the hut, Pakistan captain Babar Azam continued to play at a slow pace. He went on to complete his 24th half-century off 86 deliveries.
On the other end, New Zealand bowlers continue to take wickets to keep their firm grip on the game. After getting rid of Agha, the visitors managed to bag the wickets of Mohammad Nawaz (3), Usama Mir (12) and Mohammad Wasim (10).
Eventually, Babar Azam was stumped after scoring 114-ball 79. He struck eight boundaries and a maximum.
Ish Sodhi got the last wicket of Haris Sohail (0) to end Pakistan’s innings, who were bowled out for 182 in 43 overs.
Overall, Sodhi and Southee bagged two wickets each, while Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santer and Lockie Ferguson picked up a wicket each for the winning side.
Earlier, All-rounder Nawaz brought Pakistan back into the game with his figures of 4-38 after a stunning second-wicket partnership between captain Kane Williamson and centurion Devon Conway. He claimed the wickets of Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, and Glenn Phillips.
Pacer Naseem Shah once again struck in his first over as he removed Finn Allen (1) thanks to a low diving catch inside the circle from Nawaz.
However, Devon Conway and captain Williamson were flawless in their 181-run stand. They smashed 23 boundaries and a maximum combined in their innings.
The left-handed opener, who was playing his 14th ODI, scored his second ODI ton with the help of 13 boundaries and a six off just 92 deliveries. Meanwhile, Kane Williamson, who was dropped on 53 – by Haris Sohail at short mid-wicket – and on 55 – by Mohammad Rizwan – both of Mohammad Wasim jr’s bowling went on to score 85. He struck 10 boundaries in his 100-ball knock.
When the duo were operating, a 300-run target seems a possibility. However, in the 30th over, Conway’s wicket triggered a New Zealand collapse. The left-hander was removed by Naseem Shah, who ended with the figures of 3-58 from 8.5 overs.
First Nawaz removed Daryl Mitchell (5), then Tom Latham (2), Williamson (85) and Glenn Phillips (3) to reduce New Zealand to 206/6.
Usama Mir joined the action as he removed Michael Bracewell (8) to reduce New Zealand to 220/7 in 40.3 overs. Pacer Haris Rauf, who remained wicket-less in the first ODI, got the wicket of Ish Sodhi (7).
Apart from Williamson and Conway, only Mitchell Santer managed to score in double figures. He made 36 as New Zealand were bowled out for 261 in 49.5 overs.
Pakistan were fielding the winning combination, meanwhile, the visitors made a change in their playing XI as Ish Sodhi came in for Henry Shipley.
Pakistan: IBabar Azam (C), Fakhar Zaman, Imam ul Haq, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salam, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir and Naseem Shah.
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, 3 Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson
