After losing the T20 series against New Zealand, Pakistan bounced back in the first one-day match. Babar Azam defeated New Zealand by 5 wickets. Batting first, the visitors scored 288 for 7 wickets. In reply, Pakistan scored 291 for 5 in 48.3 overs.
Darrell Mitchell’s innings of 113 runs however did not work. Opener Will Young’s dashing innings of 86 runs was also not worth it also. New Zealand scored big runs against Pakistan depending on the innings of his two men. Other batters of the visiting team did not get big runs but it was not a problem.
Mitchell’s 115-ball innings has 11 fours and 1 six. On the other hand, Young hit 8 fours and 2 sixes in his 78-ball innings. Tom Latham, captain of New Zealand second team, did not get a run at number four. His innings of 20 runs from 36 balls does not suit the current white ball cricket at all. After he got off, New Zealand’s run rate also decreased a lot. On that occasion, the Pakistani bowlers brought the team back into the fight.
Nasim Shah, the most successful bowler of the Pakistan team, took 2 wickets and gave 29 runs to New Zealand. Shaheen Afridi took 2 wickets but leaked 63 runs. Harris Rauf baaged 2 wickets for 65 runs. Shadab Khan got 1 wicket for 56 runs.
No aid to New Zealand bowlers on Pakistan pitch
In response, Pakistan batters batted well. Both openers took control of the game with their bats. Fakhar Zaman scored a century. He scored an innings of 117 runs off 114 balls with 13 fours and 1 six. Another opener Imam Ul Haq scored 60 runs off 65 balls. He hit 5 fours and 1 six. However, Babar missed a half century for 1 run. With the help of 3 fours and 1 six, the Pak captain made 49 runs off 46 balls.
Shan Masood (1) did not get a run but it wasn’t a problem at all. Mohammad Rizwan remained unbeaten at number five with 42 runs off 34 balls. He brought Pakistan the desired victory against New Zealand with 6 fours and 1 six.
None of the New Zealand bowlers had much success in Pakistan Rawalpindi’s 22 yards. Adam Milne took 2 wickets for 60 runs. Blair Tickner, Ish Sodhi and Rachin Ravindra got 1 wicket each. The visitors lost mainly due to lack of experience.
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