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28 March 2024

Pakistan vs New Zealand 3rd ODI: Afridi, Shehzad sizzle in Sharjah

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By Agencies

Opener Ahmed Shehzad hit a swashbuckling hundred and Shahid Afridi made a fiery 55 and took three wickets to lead Pakistan to a crushing 147-run win over New Zealand in the third one-dayer in Sharjah on Sunday.

Shehzad's 120-ball 113 created the foundation of Pakistan's biggest-ever total against New Zealand of 364-7 before they dismissed the Black Caps for 217 in 38.2 overs to go 2-1 up in the five-match series.

Pakistan won the first game by three wickets in Dubai while New Zealand took the second by four wickets, also played in Sharjah.

The win was Pakistan's second biggest win against New Zealand, just behind their 153-run win at Karachi in 2002.

"It is our strength to play aggressive cricket," said Afridi. "We played our type of cricket and took advantage of a good batting wicket.

"Ahmed (Shehzad) played a good knock and gave us an ideal start," said Afridi of man-of-the-match Shehzad.

Shehzad's knock - his sixth one-day hundred - was spiced with a dozen boundaries and two sixes while Afridi pulverised the bowlers with three sixes and six boundaries off just 25 balls.

It proved too much for New Zealand who were jolted right at the start with lanky paceman Mohammad Irfan (2-26) dismissing Anton Devcich (nought) and Martin Guptill (12) by the sixth over.

Captain Kane Williamson hit 46 while Ross Taylor made 31 during a stand of 45 for the third wicket but Afridi (3-37) had Taylor bowled while Haris Sohail dismissed the New Zealand skipper to leave them struggling at 115-4.

Sohail also had Jimmy Neesham (two) and Nathan McCullum (15) to finish with 3-45.
Luke Ronchi was the last man out, bowled by Afridi for 41.

"Pakistan batted outstandingly from start to finish and when we chased we were not at par," said Williamson.

The 23-year-old Shehzad, who has scored hundreds in all three formats this year, built invaluable partnerships after giving Pakistan a brisk start of 63 with Mohammad Hafeez who made a 26-ball 33 with five fours and a six.

Shehzad added another 70 for the second wicket with Younis Khan (35) and 77 for the third with Asad Shafiq (23).

His innings helped Pakistan overcome the loss of regular skipper Misbah-ul Haq, who has been ruled out of the series due to a hamstring injury sustained in the second match.

Shehzad finally holed out in the 37th over as paceman Matt Henry also removed Shafiq with the very next ball.

Stand-in skipper Afridi and Sohail (28-ball 39) ensured Pakistan did not lose sight of a big total with an 89-run stand for the fifth wicket off just 45 balls.

Sohail hit five boundaries and a six.

Afridi's whirlwind knock helped Pakistan collect 125 runs in the last ten overs. Sarfraz Ahmed chipped in with 30 not out off 14 balls.

Ironically, New Zealand had scored the previous highest total of 338-4 at this ground against Bangladesh in 1990.

Anderson's ten overs cost 96 runs as the Kiwi bowlers were hit to all corners of the park.

Misbah was replaced by Umar Akmal while New Zealand brought in McCullum, Neesham and Guptill.

The fourth and fifth matches will be played in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday and Friday.

New Zealand innings

Afridi takes his tally to three as he picks the wicket of Luke Ronchi. It's bowled again. NZ 217 all out in 38.2 overs.

Luke Ronchi b Shahid Afridi 41 (40b 6x4 0x6)

Afridi is spot on as he ends Henry's run. Last wicket remains. NZ 200-9 in 34.4 overs.

Matt Henry b Shahid Afridi 1 (3b 0x4 0x6)

Sohail picks his third wicket as McCullum walks back. Pakistan are just two wickets away from a big win. NZ 196-8 in 33.4 overs.

Nathan McCullum c Younis Khan b Haris Sohail 15 (10b 0x4 1x6)

Ronchi and McCullum fighting hard as they milk 31 runs from 21 balls. NZ 193-7 in 33 overs.

Another wicket falls for the Kiwis as they are losing out all the options. Sohail picks his second. NZ 162-7 in 29.3 overs.

James Neesham c Wahab Riaz b Haris Sohail 2 (4b 0x4 0x6)

Pakistan inch closer to a big win as Shehzad ends Latham's run. He is easily caught by Riaz at backward square leg. NZ 158-6 in 28.2 overs.

Tom Latham c Wahab Riaz b Ahmed Shehzad 34 (48b 3x4 0x6)

Latham fights hard batting at 34. NZ 158-5 in 28 overs.

A fine catch from Afridi as Anderson is out. New Zealand are under pressure to step up the run rate. NZ 139-5 in 25.3 overs.

Corey Anderson c Shahid Afridi b Wahab Riaz 19 (16b 3x4 0x6)

A big wicket lost for New Zealand as Williamson departs offering a simple catch to Sohail off his own bowling. NZ 115-4 in 21.2 overs.

Kane Williamson c & b Haris Sohail 46 (52b 6x4 0x6)

New Zealand are 111-3 in 20 overs.

Williamson reaches 34 while Latham is batting on 12. Afridi has given only seven runs from his four overs. NZ 96-3 in 18 overs.

New Zealand are 77 for three. They need 290 from 210 balls.

Afridi bowls a beauty as he rips through Taylor's defence. He was looking dangerous and it's a big blow for the Kiwis. NZ 66-3 in 12.1 overs.

Ross Taylor b Shahid Afridi 31 (25b 1x4 3x6)

Taylor gets aggressive as he hammers two sixes in Riaz's over. He is on 24. NZ 52-2 in 10 overs.

Afridi takes a well-timed low catch to send Guptill back home. It's the second wicket for Irfan as New Zealand look to be in early trouble. NZ 21-2 in 5.1 overs.

Martin Guptill c Shahid Afridi b Mohammad Irfan 12 (19b 1x4 0x6)

It's not an easy start for the Kiwi openers with Pakistan pacers maintaining a tight line. The pressure gets on to Devcich who gets an edge off Irfan's bowling straight to the 'keeper. NZ 5-0 in 2 overs.

Anton Devcich c Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Irfan 0 (4b 0x4 0x6)

Guptill and Devcich begin for New Zealand as Tanvir picks the ball.

PAKISTAN INNINGS

What a way to end the innings as Sarfraz Ahmed fires 22 runs of Anderson's final over to ensure Pakistan reach a brilliant 364 for seven in 50 overs.

The crowd goes silent as Afridi falls after Williamson takes a splendid catch to end his brilliant run. Pak 313-7 in 47 overs.

Shahid Afridi c Williamson b McClenaghan 55 (26b 6x4 3x6)

Afridi fires one to the boundary to score a quickfire half century from only 21 deliveries. His innings includes six boundaries and three sixes. This is also the fastest half century at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Umkar Akmal had a very unlucky day out there. On his 100th ODI he is run out for a naught. Pak 300-6 in 45.2 overs.

Umar Akmal run out 0 (1b 0x4 0x6)

New Zealand get a breather as Sohail succumbs attempting a big one to give Henry his third wicket. Pak 299-5 in 45 overs.

Haris Sohail c Williamson b Henry 39 (28b 5x4 1x6)

A quick half century partnership between Afridi and Sohail comes in just 30 balls. Afridi batting on 43 from 17 balls while Sohail is on 21 from 17. Pak 276-4 in 43 overs.

Afridi entertains the crowd with a couple of stunning sixes and a boundary as he reaches 18 in just seven balls. Pak 239-4 in 40 overs.

That's another one from Henry as he is on a hat-trick. Shafiq fails to get his bat in time as the ball crashes into his stumps. With both settled batsmen back in the hut, it's going to be another Herculean task for Pakistan batsmen to rebuild the innings from here. Pak 210-4 in 37.2 overs.

Asad Shafiq b Henry 23 (40b 1x4 0x6)

Shehzad's big innings comes to an end as he offers a simple catch to Williamson. He gets applauded from the crowd as he walks back to the pavillion. Pak 210-3 in 37.1 overs.

Ahmed Shehzad c Williamson b Henry 113 (120b 12x4 2x6)

A superb knock from Shehzad puts Pakistan in a fine position. His 100 came off 112 balls including 10 boundaries and two sixes. Pak 192-2 in 35 overs.

Partnership between Shehzad and Shafiq reaches 50 from 65 balls. Shehzad on 96, Shafiq on 14. Pak 184-2 in 33 overs.

The partnership between Shehzad and Shafiq  reaches 36. Pak 169-2 in 30 overs.

Shehzad is looking in brilliant form toying around the Kiwi bowlers. He reaches 71 from 81 deliveries. Pak 148-2 in 26 overs.

Younus Khan succumbs in a bid to accelerate the run rate. He manages to get a boundary and a six before he offers a simple catch to Anderson off McCullum bowling. Pak 133-2 in 22 overs.

Younus Khan c Anderson b McCullum 35 (39b 4x4 1x6)

Shehzad is taking an aggressive approach while Younus is playing the perfect second fiddle adpoting defensive tactics. Pak 115-1 in 20 overs

Shehzad gets his half century in style smashing a fine boundary. He takes 57 balls to achieve it including four boundaries and a six. Pak 99-1 in 18 overs.

Pakistan's run rate slowly dropping as it goes down six. Shehzad batting on 35 while Younus Khan is on 8 from 14 balls. Pak 79-1 in 13 overs.

The fall of Hafeez has slowed down the progress as just two runs comes thereafter in as many overs overs. Pak 65-1 in 10 overs.

New Zealand earn their first wicket. They desperately were looking for that one. Hafeez drives but to find the edge of his bat to wicketkeeper Ronchi. Pak 63-1 in 7.5 overs.

Mohammad Hafeez c Ronchi b Anderson 33 (26b 5x4 1x6)

This time it was the turn of Hafeez to go on a boundary spree. He gets three consecutive boundaries off Clenaghan as Pakistan reach 43-0 in 6 overs.

Shehzad after staying quiet for the first three overs, cuts loose as he hammers three successive boundaries off McClenaghan's bowling. Pak 24-0 in 4 overs.

It's been a neat start for the Pakistan openers as pacers Henry and McClenaghan are bowling a probing line. Pak 9-0 in 2 overs.

Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad open for Pakistan as Matt Henry starts proceedings for the Kiwis.

Pakistan's luck with the toss continues as they elect to bat first. Afridi wants his batsmen to take more responsibility. Umar Akmal makes his way in replacing injured Misbah.

For the Kiwis, Milne, Brownlie and Vettori are out while Nathan McCullum, Martin Guptill and Neesham come in.

PLAYING XI:

PAKISTAN:
Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq, Younus Khan, Umar Akmal, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Irfan.

NEW ZEALAND: Martin Guptill, Anton Devcich, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, James Neesham, Nathan McCullum, Matt Henry, Mitchell McClenaghan

PREVIEW

Misbah ul Haq has been ruled out of ODI series against New Zealand due to an injury.

Shahid Afridi is to lead Pakistan team in remaining three ODIs, it has been reported.

Pakistan on Saturday recalled leg-spinner Yasir Shah and all-rounder Anwar Ali for the three remaining one-day internationals against New Zealand as they continued to sweat over skipper Misbah-ul Haq's injury.

Pakistan went down by four wickets in the second one-day in Sharjah on Friday, a game in which Misbah hurt his hamstring leaving him doubtful for the third game, also in Sharjah on Sunday.

Fast bowlers Umar Gul (ankle) and Bilawal Bhatti (hand injury) were also sidelined and are returning home.

"Gul and Bhatti have been dropped owing to fitness issues, while all-rounder Ali and leg-spinner Shah have been included," said chief selector Moin Khan.

Shah took 27 wickets in the five Tests which Pakistan played - two against Australia and three against New Zealand - since October this year.

The 28-year-old has played a single one-day international, against Zimbabwe in Harare in September 2011.

"Despite fitness issues dogging many key players, it still remains a pretty strong side. And I am positive that it would perform to its potential in the three remaining ODI games," said Khan.

The series is currently tied at 1-1, with Pakistan winning the first match by three wickets in Dubai.

Injuries

Pakistan coach Waqar Younis Saturday admitted skipper Misbah-ul Haq remains doubtful for the third one-day international against New Zealand after he hurt his hamstring.

Misbah fell awkwardly while chasing a shot in the third over of New Zealand's innings during the second day-night international in Sharjah.

New Zealand won the match by four wickets to level the five-match series at 1-1. Pakistan won the first match by three wickets in Dubai on Monday.

Waqar said Misbah remains doubtful for the third match, also in Sharjah on Sunday.

"Misbah has a hamstring issue and he will have a scan and then we will decide. He is not very good," said Waqar.

Asked who would lead the team if Misbah is ruled out, Waqar said it would be up to Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan to decide.

"Look, captaincy's issue is chairman's domain and we will probably ring him if Misbah is not available to decide what we are going to do," said Waqar.

All-rounder Shahid Afridi is one likely choice.

Fast bowler Bilawal Bhatti was also ruled out of the third one-day after he injured his right hand during practice and needed stitches.

Another fast bowler, Umar Gul, is also on the injury list after missing the second game due to a sore ankle.

"It's a long tour and there are bound to be injuries, we have lost Junaid (Khan) and we need to solve these injury issues before the World Cup next year," said Waqar.

Pakistan has been in United Arab Emirates since October. They played a Twenty20, three one-day internationals and two Tests against Australia before their two Tests, two Twenty20 and five one-day series against New Zealand.

Junaid injured his knee during the one-day series against Australia in October and is still recovering.

Waqar said he was still searching for a right bowling combination, badly affected by the suspension of ace spinner Saeed Ajmal and all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez due to illegal bowling action.

"We are trying to build the right combination for the World Cup and these issues have not allowed us to do so," said Waqar, who blamed a below par total for the defeat on Friday.

"I guess we couldn't get the target we were looking for, things would have been different had we got some more runs," said Waqar of Pakistan's 252 all out.

New Zealand chased down the target in 46 overs with skipper Kane Williamson hitting an unbeaten 70.

"We didn't bowl right line and length and that failed us."

The fourth and fifth matches will be played in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday and Friday.

Fine

Misbah-ul Haq was fined 15 percent of his match fee for showing dissent at an umpire's decision and Kiwi bowler Adam Milne was reprimanded for using obscene language during a one-day international in Sharjah.

"Misbah was fined 15 percent of his match fee for... showing dissent at an umpire's decision during an international match," the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement.

Misbah expressed his displeasure in the 37th over after TV umpire Joel Wilson upheld on-field umpire Richard Illingworth's decision to give him caught behind off paceman Matt Henry.

Misbah made 47 in Pakistan's total of 252 all out, which New Zealand overhauled in 46 overs.

Kiwi paceman Milne received an official reprimand for violating the game's code of conduct, the ICC said.

After Milne had dismissed Pakistan's Shahid Afridi in the 41st over, the right-arm fast bowler was clearly observed using an inappropriate word, the sport's world governing body added.

"After the match, both players admitted the offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Sri Lankan match referee Roshan Mahanama," the ICC said.

Under the ICC's code of conduct all Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 percent of a player's match fee.

The final two games in the series will be played in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday and Friday.