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28 March 2024

Pakistan vs New Zealand 4th ODI: Black Caps win to level series

Published
By Cricket Correspondent and Agencies

Kane Williamson hit a brilliant hundred as New Zealand won the fourth day-night international against Pakistan by seven runs in an exciting finish in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Pakistan went ahead with the match despite calls to postpone it after the Taliban attack on a school in  Peshawar on Tuesday which left 148 people dead, 132 of them students.

Both teams observed a two-minute silence and wore black armbands as a tribute to the victims.

Williamson's 105-ball 123 steered New Zealand to an imposing 299-5 before Younis Khan's first one-day hundred in six years got Pakistan agonisingly close as they finished on 292-8 in 50 overs.

That left the five-match series all square at 2-2, setting up a winner-takes-all final game, also in Abdu Dhabi, on Friday.

Williamson praised his side's sensible batting.

"It was just about executing the plans we had, and just trying to build partnerships and then it was great to come back with the ball in the second part of the Pakistan innings," said the New Zealand captain.

Younis's 117-ball 103 ended a drought lasting 74 innings as he capitalised on being dropped by Ross Taylor off Adam Milne when only on two.

However, when the veteran was seventh out bowled by left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori (3-53) it ended Pakistan's hopes.

Shahid Afridi helped Younis add a quick 66 for the sixth wicket, hitting five fours and two sixes in his 25-ball 49 but his fall, followed shortly afterwards by Younis' departure, saw the match swing back New Zealand's way.

Younis, whose last hundred came against the West Indies at the same venue in 2008, put on 49 with Nasir Jamshed (30) for the second wicket and another 90 for the fifth with Umar Akmal who made 29.

In all Younis hit four boundaries and two sixes.

He also became the oldest Pakistani to notch a one-day hundred at 37 years 18 days, erasing Zaheer Abbas's name from the record books as he was 35 years and 331 days old when he struck his last century for his country.

Pakistan had lost opener Ahmed Shehzad in Matt Henry's first over for a duck.

Afridi said it was tough to play after the Peshawar tragedy.

"We pray for all those kids who lost their lives," said Afridi. "It was a tough decision to play the match but we played the game to bring happiness to the families who lost their dear ones.

"We fielded poorly and conceded too many runs but I am happy that we fought till the last."

New Zealand recorded the third highest total at the ground.

Williamson added 44 for the second wicket with Guptill and another 63 for the third with Taylor.

Williamson, who scored an unbeaten 70 in New Zealand's four-wicket win in the second match in Sharjah, pulled paceman Mohammad Irfan to deep square-leg for his ninth boundary to complete his century off just 92 balls.

He was finally bowled by Irfan off the last delivery of the innings, having hit 12 boundaries.

Williamson's hundred was built on a fine start to the innings.

Guptill and Dean Brownlie had given a solid 81-run start before leg-spinner Afridi provided his team with the breakthrough in the 17th over.

Guptill hit seven fours in his 78-ball knock before he was caught behind off paceman Sohail Tanvir.

Scoreboard:

New Zealand

M. Guptill c Ahmed b Tanvir 58
D. Brownlie c Akmal b Afridi 42
K. Williamson b Irfan 123
R. Taylor c Ahmed b Irfan 26
C. Anderson c Akmal b Ali 23
T. Latham not out 14
Extras: (lb4, w9) 13
Total: (for five wkts; 50 overs) 299
Fall of wickets
: 1-81 (Brownlie), 2-125 (Guptill), 3-188 (Taylor), 4-227 (Anderson), 5-299 (Williamson)

Bowling: Tanvir 10-0-75-1 (3w), Irfan 10-1-53-2 (2w), Ali 9-0-50-1 (1w), Afridi 10-0-46-1 (1w), Sohail 8-0-47-0 (2w), Shehzad 3-0-24-0

Pakistan

Nasir Jamshed lbw b Anderson 30
Ahmed Shehzad b Henry 0
Younis Khan b Vettori 103
Mohammad Hafeez c Ronchi b Vettori 3
Haris Sohail c Latham b Vettori 13
Umar Akmal run out 29
Shahid Afridi c Ronchi b Milne 49
Sarfraz Ahmed c Ronchi b McClenaghan 18
Sohail Tanvir not out 11
Anwar Ali not out 20
Extras: (b4, lb6, nb1, w5) 16
Total: (for eight wkts; 50 overs) 292
Fall of wickets
: 1-3 (Shehzad), 2-52 (Jamshed), 3-59 (Hafeez), 4-82 (Sohail), 5-172 (Akmal), 6-238 (Afridi), 7-254 (Younis), 8-261 (Sarfraz)

Bowling: Henry 10-0-68-1 (1w), Milne 10-2-39-1 (1w), McClenaghan 10-0-69-1 (1nb, 2w), Anderson 8-1-40-1, Vettori 10-0-53-3 (1w), Williamson 2-0-13-0

Result: New Zealand won by seven runs
Toss: New Zealand
Umpires: Richard Illingworth (ENG) and Shozab Raza (PAK)
Tv umpire: Joel Wilson (WIS)
Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI)

Pakistan innings

Pakistan manage eight runs off the last over but New Zealand hold their nerve to win by seven runs in a nail-biting finish to level the series 2-2.

Kane Williamson hit a 105-ball 123 to lift New Zealand to 299-5 in 50 overs before Pakistan managed 292-8 in 50 overs at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

For Pakistan Younis Khan scored 103 off 117 balls - his first one-day century in six years and after 74 innings.

Pakistan won the first match by three wickets and the third by 147 runs while New Zealand took the second game by four wickets.

The fifth and final match will also be played in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Tanvir hammers a low full to the fence. Pak need 12 from 4 balls.

Ali gets another boundary off a mishit to third man and Pakistan need 16 off the last over.

Ali smashes Milne back past the bowler for a boundary to keep Pakistan in the hunt. Pak 275-8 in 48 overs.

Anwar Ali gets a boundary with an edge off McClenaghan. Pak 268-8 in 47 overs.

McClenaghan strikes as Ronchi pouches a skier from Sarfraz. Pak 261-8 in 46.1 overs.

Sarfraz Ahmed c Ronchi b McClenaghan 18 (13b 2x4 0x6)

Pakistan need 39 from 24 balls with Sarfraz and Tanvir batting.

Sarfraz survives but Younis is bowled off the last ball of his spell by Vettori. Pak 254-7 in 45 overs.

Younis Khan b Vettori 103 (117b 4x4 2x6)

There is no respite for New Zealand with Sarfraz getting a couple of boundaries off Milne, almost clubbing a six before eding one to third man. Pak 248-6 in 44 overs.

Milne strikes getting the big wicket of Afridi who edges behind. Pak 238-6 in 43.1 overs.

Shahid Afridi c Ronchi b Milne 49 (25b 5x4 2x6)

Younis Khan completes his seventh ODI hundred off 114 balls, his first after 75 innings, and becomes the oldest Pakistan player after Zaheer Abbas ast 37 to reach three figures. Pak 238-5 in 43 overs.

Pakistan are 228-5 in 42 overs with Younis on 98.

Afridi hammers Henry over long off for a towering six to bring up the 50 partnership with Younis off just 31 balls. Pak 223-5 in 41 overs.

Afridi flays Vettori smashing a couple of boundaries on the leg side. Pak 211-5 in 40 overs.

Afridi is turning it on flicking Henry for a six over midwickeet. Pak 198-5 in 39 overs.

Afridi is leading the charge now lofting Anderson down the ground for a boundary. Pak 187-5 in 38 overs.

Pakistan need 118 from 78 balls.

Afridi pulls a short ball from McClenaghan to the fence. Pak 182-5 in 37 overs.

New Zealand get a lucky break as Akmal is run out by McClenaghan on his follow through. Pak 172-5 in 36.1 overs.

Umar Akmal run out 29 (37b 1x4 0x6)

Pakistan have made progress in the Batting Powerplay making 45 without loss. Pak 172-4 in 36 overs.

Akmal smashes a short ball from McClenaghan to the midwicket fence. Pak 163-4 in 35 overs.

Younis is turning it on bringing on the 50 partnership with Akmal by launching Henry into orbit for a massive six. Pak 143-4 in 33 overs.

Pakistan have taken the Batting Powerplay early with the asking rate climbing. Pak 127-4 in 31 overs.

Younis strikes a massive blow smashing Vettori for a six and completes his first half century in 12 innings with a couple.

Vettori strikes again as Sohial steps out and miscues a lofted shot holing to Latham who takes a superb catch running back. Pak 82-4 in 21.3 overs.

Haris Sohail c Latham b Vettori 13 (25b 2x4 0x6)

Williamson returns to bowl for the first time since being cleared and his first first ball is a full toss which nearly disappears for a six off Sohail's blade. Pak 74-3 in 19 overs.

Vettori strikes with his first delivery as Hafeez tries to tickle on the off only giving a catch behind. Pak 59-3 in 15.1 overs.

Mohammad Hafeez c Ronchi b Vettori 3 (11b 0x4 0x6)

Anderson strikes as Jamshed is undone by a slower ball and trapped leg before. Pak 52-2 in 12.4 overs.

Nasir Jamshed lbw b Anderson 30 (46b 2x4 1x6)

Jamshed comes down the track and smashes Anderson for a massive six over midwicket.

Pakistan have picked up the tempo of the innings with Younis unleashing another classic cover drive to the fence off McClenaghan =. Pak 46-1 in 12 overs.

Younis cracks another one through the covers for a boundary off Anderson. Pak 39-1 in 11 overs.

Younis hits his first boundary driving McClenaghan through the covers. Pak 33-1 in 10 overs.

Younis survives getting a reprieve from Taylor at slip off Milne. Pak 20-1 in 6 overs.

Jamshed hits the first boundary of the innings threading Henry through the covers. Pak 18-1 in 5 overs.

Horror start for Pakistan as Shehzad goes for a duck being castled by Henry. Pak 4-1 in 0.4 overs.

Ahmed Shehzad b Henry 0 (2b 0x4 0x6)

New Zealand innings

A magnificent century by skipper Kane Williamson (123) lifted New Zealand to 299-5 in 50 overs.

Williamson's century which came off just 105 balls contained 12 fours being bowled off the last ball of the innings.

New Zealand plundered 91 runs in the last 10 overs with Tanvir going for 75.

Irfan claimed two for 53.

Williamson completes his fourth ODI century in style pulling Irfan to midwicket for a boundary. NZ 280-4 in 48 overs.

Williamson smacks Irfan over extra cover for a boundary to move into the 90s. NZ 258-4 in 46 overs.

Ali gets a breakthrough as Anderson fails to clear the fielder in the long on boundary. NZ 227-4 in 42.1 overs.

Corey Anderson c Umar Akmal b Anwar Ali 23 (20b 1x4 1x6)

Anderson smashes Haris over midwicket for the first maximum of the match. NZ 222-3 in 41 overs.

Williamson is turning it on punching Tanvir down the ground twice for boundaries. NZ 198-3 in 38 overs.

Irfan strikes as Taylor hangs his bat out to be caught behind. NZ 188-3 in 36.3 overs.

Ross Taylor c Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Irfan 26 (37b 2x4 0x6)

Williamson slams a boundary off Irfan to bring up his half century.

Williamson pulls a short one from Tanvir to the midwicket fence. NZ 183-2 in 36 overs.

Part-time spinner Shehzad goes for 9 with Taylor picking up another boundary. NZ 157-2 in 32 overs.

Tanvir returns to remove Guptill who edges behind. NZ 125-2 in 24 overs.

Martin Guptill c Sarfraz Ahmed b Sohail Tanvir 58 (78b 7x4 0x6)

Williamson cracks the second ball from Sohail past point for a boundary while Guptill gets a streaky boundary via an inside edge. NZ 109-1 in 20 overs.

Williamson drags a long hop from Afridi to midwicket for his first boundary. NZ 95-1 in 19 overs.

Guptill steers Ali past backward point for a boundary after the drinks break. NZ 90-1 in 18 overs.

Afridi strikes as Brownlie clips him only for Akmal to take a brilliant low catch. NZ 81-1 in 16.4 overs.

Doug Brownlie c Umar Akmal b Shahid Afridi 42 (48b 6x4 0x6)

Guptill punches Anwar uppishly through the off for another boundary. NZ 78-0 in 16 overs.

Brownlie flicks Afridi to fine leg for a boundary. NZ 65-0 in 13 overs.

Brownlie whips Ali to the midwicket for another boundary. NZ 51-0 in 10 overs.

Anwar comes into the attack and Brownlie cuts square of the wicket for a boundary. NZ 45-0 in 8 overs.

Brownlie hits two consecutive boundaries off Tanvir to step up the tempo with Guptill also picking up a boundary. NZ 41-0 in 7 overs.

Guptill pushes Irfan down the ground for a classic boundary. NZ 26-0 in 6 overs.

Guptill also hits first boundary swatting Tanvir through cover. NZ 19-0 n 5 overs.

Brownlie hits the first boundary of the match cracking Tanvir through the covers.

Sombre mood at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi as players take the field wearing black arm bands.

Two minutes silence observed in memory of those who perished in the Peshawar terror attack on Tuesday.

New Zealand have won the toss and will bat.

Playing XI

New Zealand: Guptill, Brownlie, Williamson, Taylor, Latham, Anderson, Ronchi, Vettori, Milne, Henry, McClenaghan

Pakistan: Shehzad, Hafeez, Jamshed, Younis Khan, Sohail, Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed, Afridi, Anwar Ali, Sohail Tanvir, Mohammad Irfan

The fourth ODI will go ahead as scheduled despite the Pakistan players still in shock after the terrible attack on a school in Peshawar.

Shahid Afridi, the stand-in Pakistan captain, said the team was "shocked and hurt".

A PCB spokesman said: "We tried our best to postpone the 4th ODI but were constrained by the Broadcasters commitment as well as for cricketing reasons advised by New Zealand management.

"We are playing outside Pakistan only because of the threat of terrorism at home. If we allow terrorists to disrupt our matches abroad, then all will be lost."


Pakistan Cricket Board announces proceeds of fourth ODI will be donated to families of martyred children and towards rebuilding the school.

 

 


Tough

Experienced Pakistan batsman Younus Khan says it will be extremely tough for the cricketers to go ahead with Wednesday's fourth one-dayer against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi following the killing spree at a Peshawar school.

Witnesses said at least 132 students and nine staff members died on Tuesday when Taliban gunmen broke into a school and opened fire in the bloodiest massacre Pakistan had seen for years.

"It is a national tragedy and a barbaric act. Playing the match is going to be very difficult," Younus told Geo Super television.
 
"How do you play a match when your spirit is not in the game? That is our state of mind right now."

Younus, who has featured in 96 Tests and 257 one-dayers for his country, compared the situation to the one Australia experienced last month when opening batsman Phillip Hughes died after being struck on the head by a bouncer.

"When Phil Hughes died it shocked every one of us and we postponed a day's play in the test match against New Zealand," he added.

"It would not be a bad idea to postpone this game as well," said the 37-year-old Younus.

The players are to observe a minute's silence before Wednesday's match and will wear black armbands.

"Our minds and hearts are with these children," said Pakistan team manager Moin Khan.

Momentum

Stand-in captain Shahid Afridi is hoping Pakistan can maintain their winning momentum and seal the series against New Zealand in the fourth one-day match in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Pakistan lead the five-match series 2-1 after winning the first match in Dubai and the third in Sharjah.

New Zealand won the second game, also played in Sharjah.

Afridi, leading the side in the absence of Misbah-ul Haq who injured his hamstring and was ruled out of the last three games, said he wanted a strong finish from his side.

"The team has been playing here for the last three months and has played good cricket so it should be a happy ending after the Test and T20 trophies were shared," said Afridi on Tuesday.

Pakistan lost the only Twenty20 against Australia in October before being white-washed 0-3 by Australia in the one-day series - also played in United Arab Emirates.

They then beat Australia 2-0 in Tests and squared the Twenty20 and Test series against New Zealand.

Pakistan were forced to send paceman Umar Gul and all-rounder Bilawal Bhatti home after both suffered injuries.

Afridi credited the team management for Pakistan's big 147-run win in the third match on Friday.

"I have not done any wonders," said Afridi who scored a rapid 26-ball 55 and took three wickets in the last match," he said.

"I will give the whole credit to the management, they have created a good atmosphere in the dressing room, all those players who used to have a fear of failure, they now have no fear of failure because the management has given full confidence to the players."

Afridi said Misbah was still Pakistan's regular captain.

"I think Misbah is still here, he is our captain till the World Cup and I think he is watching each and every thing and that's why the management wanted him to be here," said Afridi.

Pakistan has the option of resting wayward paceman Wahab Riaz and bringing in all-rounder Anwar Ali.

New Zealand opener Martin Guptill said his team will look to bounce back once again.

"Our spirits are still high. We have a chance to come back and win 3-2. So, there is still a lot of excitement in the camp at the moment. We have two more games to go out and prove that we can do it and we know we can do it," said Guptill, who described New Zealand's reply of 217 to Pakistan's 364-7 in Sharjah as disappointing.

"We just didn't get things right. We didn't have a platform to launch from like Pakistan did. That's the key in chasing big totals."

The fifth and final match will also be played in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Teams (from):

Pakistan:
Shahid Afridi (captain) Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Irfan, Nasir Jamshed, Sarfraz Ahmed, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz, Younis Khan, Zulfiqar Babar, Yasir Shah, Anwar Ali.

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

Umpires: Shozab Raza (PAK) and Richard Illingworth (ENG)
Tv umpire: Joel Wilson (WIS)
Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (SRI)