CWC Match No 35, Pakistan VS New Zealand played at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore on 4 November 2023
New Zealand 401/6 (Rachin Ravindra 108, Kane Williamson 95, Glen Philips 41, Mark Chapman 27, Mohammad Wasim 3/60, Iftikhar Ahmed 1/55, Hasan Ali 1/82, Haris Rauf 1/85, Shaheen Shah Afridi 0/90)
Pakistan 200/1 in 25.3 Overs (Fakhar Zaman 126*, Babar Azam 66*)
Rain Interrupted. Pakistan Won by 21 runs on DLS Method
Player of the Match: Fakhar Zaman (126*)
It was a very important match between New Zealand and Pakistan yesterday at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangaluru. New Zealand required a win to consolidate their position among the top. Pakistan desperately required the win to stay in the hunt. New Zealand put into bat did everything right scoring huge 401/6. Pakistan was 200/1 at 25.3 Overs when rain forced abandonment of the match. Pakistan won the match by 21 runs on Duckworth & Lewis Method.
In business as usual 401 run in 50 over match is a winning score. But Pakistan with back to the wall batted superbly. After losing Abdullah Shafique early Fakhar Zaman (126*) and Babar Azam (66) batting with the speed of bullet train added 191 runs in 141 balls kept Pakistan in the hunt. Rain interrupted and the match got abandoned after 25.3 Overs with Pakistan at 200/1, 21 runs ahead of par score. Pakistan winning the match intensified the race for the top four. India, South Africa, and Australia are in the comfort zone. But three teams New Zealand, Pakistan and Afghanistan locked at 8 points the race for the last spot of the semi final got intensified. Each match of the 8th and 9th round will have great significance.
Pakistan knowing it well that rain may interfere at some stage of the game elected to field after winning the toss. New Zealand Openers Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra made steady start. 68 runs were scored before Hasan Ali managed to remove Conway for 35. Great Kane Willaims getting injured spent most of the tournament at the dug out. But appearing for this important match with his injured finger still wrapped up turned the tide. A glorious 180 second wicket partnership of the Kiwi Champion with rising sun of Kiwi Cricket Rachine Ravindra made Pakistan chase the leather. Rachin scored a brilliant 108 in 94 deliveries his 3rd of CWC2023 with 15 fours and a six. Legend Williamson scored 95 in 75 deliveries. Glen Phillips (41) and Mark Chapman (39) playing Cameos let black caps setting sky scrapper of 401 /6 in 50 overs. All Pakistani bowlers were ruthlessly punished. Shaeen Afridi (0/90), Harris Rauf (1/85) and Hasan Ali (1/82) were blasted all over the park. Only Mohammad Wasim (3/60) varying the pace could make some impression.
Many a team would have given up. But Pakistan had no other option. They did not die wondering. Abdullah Shafique fell early again to a brilliant catch by Captain Courageous Kane Williamson of the bowling of Tim Southee. But from there on flamboyant Fakhar Zaman blasted Black Cap bowlers mercilessly. His captain Babar Azam gave him great company. Keeping the target within sight they kept a healthy run rate going. Fakhar struck as many as 11 sixes and 8 fours in his unbeaten innings of 126. While Babar in his own classical style remained not out scoring 66 in 63 balls. The pair was careful in not throwing the wicket with an eye of the sky. The unfinished 195 runs partnership kept Pakistan score 21 runs ahead on DLS method when play was abandoned by rain at 25.3 Overs. Pakistan earning two points joined New Zealand and Afghanistan on 8. Pakistan has a game against England. New Zealand plays Sri Lanka. Theoretically Afghanistan with two matches against Australia and South Africa is also in the race.
Had rain did not interrupt cricket enthusiasts could witness a breath-taking run chase. Two of the top batsmen of ODI cricket were in their true elements. Many started asking when Fakhar Azam got his top form a bit too late.
BDST: 0721 HRS, NOV 05, 2023
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