Wellington: Skipper Kane Williamson (115, 117b, 8×4, 1×6) notched up his 10th ODI century to help New Zealand beat Pakistan by 61 runs (D/L) method to go one up in the five-match series here, Saturday ending thus Pakistan’s run of nine consecutive ODI wins.
Opener Colin Munro (58, 35b, 6×4, 2×6) enhanced his reputation as one of the world’s leading ODI batsmen and along with Martin Guptil (48, 72b, 4×4, 2×6), gave New Zealand innings a sound foundation with a 83-run first wicket partnership before being behind off Hasan Ali.
Henry Nicholls (50, 43b, 4×4) also played a strong hand near the end and with Williamson put on 90 runs for the fifth wicket to steer New Zealand to 315/7.
Ali (3/61) was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan while Mohammad Aamir, Rumman Raees, Fahim Ashraf and Fakhar Zaman all got one wicket each.
In reply, Pakistan started on a disastrous note as Trent Boult (2/35) and Tim Southee (3/22) rattled the visitor’s top-order to have them reeling at 37 for four in nine overs. Shoaib Malik and captain Sarfaraz Khan followed soon.
However, Fakhar Zaman (82 n o, 86b, 5×4, 4×6) held strong. However, then with the rain gods opening up play had to be stopped with Pakistan at 166/6 after 30.1overs. As per the D/L method they should have been on 227 for six at the time of closure. Hence the hosts were declared winners by 61 runs.
Brief scores: New Zealand 315/7 (Kane Williamson 115, Colin Munro 58; Hasan Ali 3/61) beat Pakistan 166/6 in 30.1 overs (Fakhar Zaman 82 n o; Tim Southee 3/22, Trent Boult 2/35) by 61 runs under the D/L method.
agence france-presse