KARACHI:Jan 13,2023; New Zealand has defeated Pakistan by 2 wickets in the third and deciding match of the three-match series and won the match as well as the series. Thanks to Rizwan’s half-century, they scored 280 runs for 9 wickets in the stipulated 50 overs.
In the third and deciding ODI of the series played in Karachi, Pakistan won the toss and invited New Zealand to bowl.
On the occasion of the toss, Babar Azam said that the wicket looks favorable for batting, so we will try to score maximum runs.
Pakistan’s openers once again provided a poor start, this time Shaun Masood, making his debut in the series, fell to Ferguson for a wicket in the second over for duck.
Skipper Babar Azam also got out early, Kiwi bowler Bracewell dismissed the host skipper in the seventh over when the team’s score was just 21 runs and he had scored just 4 runs.
After the captain and vice-captain returned to the pavilion, Mohammad Rizwan teamed up with Fakhar Zaman to get the team out with difficulty. Mohammad Rizwan also completed his half-century during this partnership.
The team’s score reached 175 runs in the 33rd over when Rizwan’s innings of 77 runs, which included 6 fours, came to an end and Ash Sodhi blew his wickets.
Fakhar Zaman shared a brief partnership with Haris Sohail but not long after scored his century, the first against New Zealand.
The veteran opener scored 101 runs off 122 balls with 10 fours and a six before being run out by Nicholls’ good fielding.
Haris Sohail was Pakistan’s fifth batsman, who was run out but scored 22 runs to take the total to 225 in the 43rd over. Muhammad Nawaz was dismissed for 247 after scoring 8 runs.
Osama Mir certainly hit a six but could not go further and was given the wicket of Tim Southee on 253.
Agha Salman batted at a brisk pace and led Pakistan to a decent score, but could not complete his half-century.
All-rounder Agha Salman scored 45 runs off 43 balls with the help of 4 fours and a six and took the total score to 270.
The last batsman to be dismissed by Pakistan was Mohammad Wasim, who was dismissed on the fourth ball of the last over. When Wasim was dismissed for 7 runs, the team score was 276 runs.
Muhammad Hasnain hit Ferguson for a four on the last ball to make Pakistan’s score 280 runs. Thus, Pakistan scored 280 runs for 9 wickets in the allotted 50 overs.
Tim Southee top-scored for New Zealand with 3, Lockie Ferguson 2, Michael Bracewell and Ash Sodhi 1 each.
As New Zealand chased the target, the openers provided a 43-run opening and the first batsman out was Finn Allen, who was dismissed for 25 runs.
Dion Conway and captain Kane Williamson completed the team’s century in the second-wicket partnership to take the score to 108 runs.
During the said partnership, Conway completed his half-century and scored 52 runs off 65 balls with the help of 5 fours and a six before being dismissed by Agha Salman.
Daryl Mitchell supported the captain but was caught by Osama Mir off the ball of Agha Salman at a score of 160 for 31 runs.
Kane Williamson showed responsible batting and scored 53 runs off 68 balls with just 2 fours and was run out.
Michael Bracewell was dismissed for 16 runs and the score of the Kiwi team was 181 runs.
New Zealand’s sixth wicket fell on 205 runs as Tom Latham, who scored 16 off 22 balls, was dismissed by Mohammad Wasim. Glenn Phillips played a brilliant innings for New Zealand and completed his half-century.
From the other end, Mitchell Centener was out for 15 and Ash Sodhi for zero.
Mohammad Wasim took the wicket of Ash Sodhi for 279, which was New Zealand’s eighth wicket.
New Zealand scored 281 runs for the loss of 8 wickets on the first ball of the 49th over and won the match by 2 wickets and also won the series.
Earlier, two changes have been made in the Pakistani team for the match and Shaan Masood has been replaced by Imam-ul-Haq and Muhammad Hasnain has been included in the national team in place of Naseem Shah. New Zealand did not make any changes to their team for the match.
It should be noted that the series of three matches between the two teams was tied at 1-1 and by winning today’s match, New Zealand also claimed the series.
Both the teams for the match consisted of these players.
Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Shan Masood, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Muhammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Muhammad Nawaz, Osama Mir, Muhammad Wasim Jr., Muhammad Hasnain and Haris Rauf.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Dion Conway, Finn Allen, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Ash Sodhi, Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson.