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29 March 2024

Pakistan vs New Zealand 2nd ODI in Sharjah: Black Caps level series

Published
By Cricket Correspondent and Agencies

Kane Williamson's assured unbeaten 70 guided New Zealand to a comfortable four-wicket win over Pakistan in the second one-day international in Sharjah on Friday to level the series at 1-1.

Chasing 253 for victory, New Zealand started well through a century opening partnership between Dean Brownlie (47) and Anton Devcich who made 58, his first limited-overs international half century.

But Brownlie fell to Shahid Afridi and Devcich was run out before Ross Taylor, Tom Latham and Corey Anderson fell in quick succession to leave New Zealand struggling on 167 for five.

Williamson and Luke Ronchi (36) shared a sixth-wicket partnership of 58 to put the tourists back on course and the experienced Daniel Vettori (13 not out) helped steer his side to their target with four overs to spare.

Opener Mohammad Hafeez top-scored for Pakistan with 76, including a six and nine fours, as the hosts recovered from a poor start in which they slumped to 20 for three.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq then chipped in with 47 runs and Haris Sohail made 33 to lift their side to a respectable total of 252.

New Zealand seamer Matt Henry returned figures of four for 45 in his third one-day international.

The third game in the five-match series is in Sharjah on Sunday.

Willaimson

Kane Williamson scored an unbeaten half century as New Zealand secured a four-wicket victory to level series against Pakistan in the second ODI at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Chasing 253 to win, New Zealand made a dream start with openers sharing 103-run for the opening wicket.

While Dean Brownlie struck 47, Anton Devcich scored a 66-ball 58.

A few wickets fell in quick succession but Williamson scored a calm 70 not out from 91 deliveries including seven boundaries while Luke Ronchi struck a fine 36 as New Zealand achieved the target in 46 overs.

For Pakistan, Haris Sohail claimed three wickets while Shahid Afridi took two.

Earlier, Mohammad Hafeez struck a fine half century as Pakistan managed to achieve 252 in 48.3 overs despite a top order collapse.

Choosing to bat first, Pakistan were shaken early losing three wickets for just 20. Haris Sohail (33) and Misbah-ul-Haq (47) put the innings together with a fine 77-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Shahid Afridi made a brisk 27 while Sarfraz Ahmed scored 23 as Pakistan had a fighting total.

For the Kiwis Matt Henry was the pick of the bowler claiming four wickets while Mitchell McClenaghan bagged three. Adam Milne took two.

NEW ZEALAND INNINGS

Williamson scores 70 not out as New Zealand score a four-wicket victory to level series 1-1. NZ 255-6 in 46 overs.

Afridi picks another but did it come a little late? Ronchi was going strong as Tanvir takes a blinder. NZ 225-6 in 42.4 overs.

Luke Ronchi c Sohail Tanvir b Shahid Afridi 36 (32b 6x4 0x6)

Williamson gets to his half century. He consumed 74 deliveries to achieve it that was studded with four boundaries. The Kiwis need another 52 runs from 63 balls. NZ 202-5 in 39.3 overs.

Williamson is battling it out all alone at 43. He just needs some company on the other end as Kiwis need 75 from 84 balls. NZ 178-5 in 35 overs.

Anderson had began well but Pakistan was quick to put brakes on his innings. Sohail is bowling brilliantly to pick his third. Will he be the star bowler helping Pakistan to win from here? NZ 167-5 in 32.3 overs.

Corey Anderson b Haris Sohail 10 (10b 0x4 1x6)

Pakistan look to be changing it all as Sohail claims his second wicket. From the Kiwis point of view they really did not need that shot from Latham since the required run rate is around five. NZ 148-4 in 28.5 overs.

Tom Latham c Sohail Tanvir b Haris Sohail 3 (7b 0x4 0x6)

Pakistan look to be turning things around as New Zealand lose another important wicket of Ross Taylor. Great job by Sarfraz who picks a brilliant catch to give Sohail a big wicket. NZ 137-3 in 26.2 overs.

Ross Taylor c Sarfraz Ahmed b Haris Sohail 2 (3b 0x4 0x6)

That was a total mess up from the batsmen as the well-settled Devcich is run out. Pakistan badly need those wickets as New Zealand look to be cruising needing 124 from 152 balls. NZ 129-2 in 24.4 overs.

Anton Devcich run out 58 (66b 8x4 0x6)

Devcich gets his maiden half century. His innings comes in 54 balls including seven boundaries. NZ 112-1 in 20 overs.

Pakistan finally earn their first wicket and it's none other than Afridi to provide the first break. His delivery skids through as Browlie is bowled before he could react. NZ 103-2 in 18.2 overs.

Dean Brownlie b Shahid Afridi 47 (61b 8x4 0x6)

The partnership between the openers crosses 100 as New Zealand look well on road to a convincing victory. Pakistan will need some quick wickets if they have to turn things around. NZ 102-0 in 18 overs.

Devcich is on 19 while Brownlie races to 37. New Zealand 63-0 in 10 overs.

Brownlie has been dealing with boundaries scoring five boundaries to reach 24. NZ 41-0 in 8 overs.

Irfan is generating the pace and bounce but the Kiwi openers have managed to survive the aggression. NZ 17-0 in 4 overs.

Brownlie and Devcich in the middle as Tanvir prepares to bowl. Tanvir's getting a lot of movement but he has not been pitching it right. Gives away only two runs in the opening over. NZ 2-0 in 1 over.

PAKISTAN INNINGS

McClenaghan picks his third as Tanvir is gone. He is not happy with the decision and calls for review but Pakistan have none. So Pakistan are all out for 252 in 48.3 overs.

Sohail Tanvir lbw b McClenaghan 14 (10b 2x4 0x6)

Pakistan lose another one as Sarfraz Ahmed departs when attempts to for a big one. Pak 248-9 in 48.1 overs.

Sarfraz Ahmed c Latham b McClenaghan 23 (31b 0x4 0x6)

Milne gets another one as Wahab Riaz offers a simple catch to Taylor in the slips. Pak 231-8 in 45 overs.

Wahab Riaz c Taylor b Milne 14 (19b 1x4 0x6)

Afridi smashes two sixes and refuses to stay quiet as he offers a simple catch to Vettori. He is furious on what he has done with the crowd going completely silent. But the Kiwis are celebrating since Afridi had survived after Brownlie had dropped the previous shot from him to six. Pak 209-7 in 40.3 overs.

Shahid Afridi c Vettori b Milne 27 (14b 1x4 3x6)

End of the powerplay. Afridi is the man in focus as there is huge cheer from the crowd. Pak 197-6 in 40 overs.

That's another quick wicket for Pakistan as they lose two settled batsmen quickly. Misbah is given out after he is caught behind but he calls for a review immediately. The replays do not help his cause as the decision stays. Pak 172-6 in 36.5 overs

Misbah-ul-Haq c Ronchi b Henry 47 (65b 2x4 2x6)

The batting powerplay is on as Matt Henry prepares to bowl.

The crowd goes silent as Hafeez falls. He was looking good before he fails to find the distance when he pulls one to the mid-wicket. Pak 163-5 in 34.2 overs.

Mohammad Hafeez c Latham b Henry 76 (92b 9x4 1x6)

Hafeez batting on 76 while Misbah races to 41. Pakistan are on a good wicket at the moment. This partnership is already on 66. Pak 163-4 in 34 overs.

Partnership reaches 39 between Hafeez and Misbah. Pak 136-4 in 30 overs.

The run rate for Pakistan at 4.3 looks to be good at this point of time. They need to ensure they don't lose any wickets. With the dangerous Afridi yet to come they can eye a good finish. Pak 123-4 in 28 overs.

Sohail wastes his wicket as he pulls a short delivery straight to short midwicket. Pak 97-4 20.1 overs.

Haris Sohail c Taylor b Anderson 33 (45b 2x4 1x6)

Sohail takes on Devcich as he steps out to hammer a big clean six. He reaches 33. Pak 97-3 in 20 overs.

Hafeez strikes a timely half century to put Pakistan back into the track. They were in serious trouble at 20 for three. His knock comes in 59 balls including seven boundaries and a six. Pak 87-3 in 19 overs.

Pakistan have maintained a fine runrate of 4.33 and will be looking at improving it by preserving their wickets. Pak 65-3 in 15 overs.

Pakistan is crawling back to a fine position after the early setback. Hafeez on 31 while Sohail on 19 as the partnership reaches 42. Pak 62-3 in 13 overs.

Pakistan are 47 for 3 in 10 overs.

Hafeez already has got four boundaries during his 21 runs knock. He is rebuilding the innings with Sohail who is taking him time to settle down. Pak 40-3 in 8 overs.

Disastrous collapse for Pakistan as they lose their third wicket. The Kiwi pacers have been exceptional maintaining a great line. Pak 20-3 in 4.3 overs.

Asad Shafiq b Henry 1 (5b 0x4 0x6)

McClenaghan has his revenge as he gets the ball moving the other way that takes an edge of Younus bat to Taylor at the slips. Pak 11-2 in 2 overs.

Younus Khan c Taylor b McClenaghan 6 (6b 1x4 0x6)

A brilliant delivery for McClenaghan after he had Younus trapped in the front is turned down after the third umpire checked for noball. He had overstepped to give Younus a lifeline.

New Zealand draw first blood in the first over as Henry draws Shehzad to drive as he gets an edge straight to the wicketkeeper. Celebrations all over for the Kiwi boys. Pak 1-1 in 1 over.

Shehzad and Hafeez open for Pakistan as the young Matt Henry picks the ball. 

Pakistan turn lucky with the coin again as Misbah chooses to bat first. He believes the wicket would be difficult to bat under lights. Sohail Tanvir is back.

PLAYING XI:


PAKISTAN: Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq, Younus Khan, Haris Sohail, Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Irfan

NEW ZEALAND: Anton Devcich, Dean Brownlie, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Daniel Vettori, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Mitchell McClenaghan   

PREVIEW

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said his team had the capacity to bounce back against Pakistan in the second one-day international in Sharjah on Friday.

Pakistan overcame early batting jitters in the first one-day to win by three wickets in Dubai on Monday for a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

But Williamson, leading the side in the absence of regular captain Brendon McCullum who left for home to prepare for the series against Sri Lanka, hoped his team learn from mistakes made in the first game.

“It's important to bounce back,” said Williamson on Thursday. “We have done that in the past and in the Test and Twenty20 series on this tour.”

New Zealand staged a remarkable comeback to level the three-match Test series 1-1 after losing the first game and drawing the second and also had a come from behind parity in the two-match Twenty20 series.

All-rounder Corey Anderson, who was hit by a bouncer in the first Twenty20, and opener Martin Guptill, who sustained a hamstring injury which forced him to miss the first one-dayer, will be assessed early Friday.

Williamson said it would be enjoyable to bowl again after being cleared over an illegal bowling action on Tuesday.

“It's nice be back as a bowler,” said Williamson, whose team failed to defend a 247-run target after having Pakistan reeling at 124-6.

Haris Sohail (85 not out) and Shahid Afridi (61) led Pakistan's recovery during their 110-run stand for the seventh wicket.

Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq admitted New Zealand can be dangerous.

“New Zealand is playing good cricket and they have improved a lot in the last two to three years and the way they have played on this tour we have to be at our best to win against them,” said Misbah.

Misbah hoped his pace bowlers deliver once more.

“Given the conditions our fast bowlers did well in the first game despite little support from the pitch and I hope they continue to bowl like that,” said Misbah.

Opener Mohammad Hafeez is likely to be retained for the second match before leaving for Chennai, India for remedial work on his bowling action.

He was suspended from bowling after his action was deemed illegal last week.

Pakistan have the option of replacing paceman Umar Gul with seamer Sohail Tanvir but Misbah is averse to change a winning combination.

Teams (from):

Pakistan: Misbah-ul Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq, Bilawal Bhatti, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Irfan, Nasir Jamshed, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Younis Khan, Zulfiqar Babar.

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Corey Anderson, Dean Brownlie, Anton Devcich, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Adam Milne, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori.

Umpires: Richard Illingworth (ENG) and Ahsan Raza (PAK)

TV umpire: Joel Wilson (WIS)

Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI)