Fakhar's whirlwind 180 makes Pakistan proud
Cricket
The national team is currently leading the five-match series by 2-0 (Image: PCB)
RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Pakistani left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman's unflinching 180 runs on Saturday washed away hopes of New Zealand to open the victory box against Pakistan despite having posted a huge total of 336 runs against hosts in the second ODI.
Zaman scored 180 runs on 144 balls, studded with 17 fours and six maximums. This is the second successive ton posted by Zaman. Pakistan secured the second victory in the 49th over against the loss of three wickets.
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 29, 2023
On the other hand, Pakistani skipper Babar Azam played the second most significant innings with 65 runs on 66 balls. Muhammad Rizwan added a share of unbeatable 54 runs.
Ish Sodhi remained the most expensive Kiwi bowler to have given 79 runs in 10 overs against a wicket, while Rachin Ravindra gave 75 runs without a wicket.
Earlier, Daryl Mitchell's successive ton had powered New Zealand to pose a 337-run target for Pakistan in the second ODI being played at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.
Kiwis finished their innings against five wickets. This is the highest total at the Pindi stadium so far.
Eight fours and three sixes helped Mitchell score 129 runs off 119 deliveries. He lost his wicket to pacer Naseem Shah while going high over mid-wicket in 46th over.
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 29, 2023
NZ skipper Tom Latham fell two runs short of the century after pacer Haris Rauf's delivery passed his bat to the hands of wicket-keeper Muhammad Rizwan. An appeal was made but he was not given out. However, a review by Pakistan made him lose his wicket in the 47th over.
Opener Chad Bowes also stood significant with a fifty (51 runs).
Pacer Naseem Shah remained the least expensive bowler with 49 runs in 10 overs against one wicket, while Haris Rauf gave the highest 78 runs in 10 overs, but that too against 4 wickets. No other bowler could earn a wicket.
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 29, 2023
Earlier, Pakistan had won the toss and decided to bowl first.
The national team is currently leading the five-match series against New Zealand by 2-0, Pakistan won the first match against the kiwis by five wickets.
Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, all-rounder Shahdab Khan and Shan Masood were rested for today’s match as Ihsanullah, Usama Mir and Abdullah Shafique have been included in the team to replace them.
Meanwhile, Kiwis had made two changes in their team by replacing Adam Milne with Henry Shipley and Blair Tickner with James Neesham.
In the first ODI, Fakhar Zaman’s century helped Pakistan beat New Zealand by five wickets at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
The win was also Pakistan’s 500th ODI victory in this format since they played their first ODI in 1973 and that too was against New Zealand.
It is important to note that the third match of the series between the two teams will be played on May 3, the fourth match on May 5, and the fifth and final match on May 7. The last three matches will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi.
