In the match played in Karachi, the Babar Azam-led Pakistani team achieved New Zealand’s target of 256 runs with 11 balls to spare and also took a crucial 1-0 lead in the three-match series. For Pakistan, fast bowler Naseem Shah took maximum five wickets while in batting Mohammad Rizwan remained unbeaten after scoring 77 runs.
Babar and Fakhar’s half-centuries
Chasing New Zealand’s target of 256 runs, the start of the Pakistani team was nothing special and Imam-ul-Haq returned to the pavilion after being dismissed by Bracewell in the sixth over.
However, after this, captain Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman took the innings forward and played an important partnership of 78 runs. During this, Fakhar also completed his half-century. Bracewell dealt Pakistan another blow by bowling Zaman for 56 before the two extended the partnership further.
Rizwan played the match winning innings
At the other end, Babar also completed his half-century and shared a 60-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan to take the team’s score past 150.
Babar became the victim of Phillips by scoring 66 runs in the 37th over. Even after Babar’s dismissal, Pakistan did not make much difference and Harris Sohail along with Rizwan brought the team close to victory by sharing a 64-run partnership in 51 balls.
Sohail was dismissed in the 45th over after scoring 32 runs in 23 balls but in the end, Rizwan and Agha Salman sealed the victory for Pakistan without losing any additional wickets. Rizwan scored 77 off 86 balls while Salman remained unbeaten on 13 off 10 balls.
Earlier in the match, the New Zealand team got off to bat first after losing the toss and in the very first over, Naseem Shah bowled Devon Conway for a score of zero and gave the first blow. After this, Finn Allen played some sharp shots but Mohammad Wasim did not give New Zealand a chance to recover by dismissing him.
Captain Kane Williamson along with Daryl Mitchell tried to take the innings forward after the openers were dismissed within 50 runs. But Mohammad Nawaz and debutant Usama Mir dismissed both of them and dashed New Zealand’s hopes.
Naseem Shah took 5 wickets
New Zealand’s middle order made some contribution but due to lack of big partnerships, the Kiwi team could only manage 255 runs losing 9 wickets in 50 overs.
There was not a single half-century from New Zealand and Michael Bracewell was the most successful batsman with 43 runs. On the other hand, Naseem Shah was the most successful bowler from Pakistan with five wickets.