RAWALPINDI: In-form Fakhar Zaman’s record-breaking 180-run knock bolstered Pakistan to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second PAK vs NZ ODI of the five-match series here at Pindi Cricket Stadium.
Set to chase a mammoth 337, Pakistan comfortably amassed the total in the 49th over for the loss of just three wickets at the back of an astounding 180-run knock by Fakhar Zaman.
Earlier, Pakistan’s dependable opening pair of Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq failed to give their side a solid start this time as the latter perished cheaply in the 10th over after scoring 24 off 26.
Following an early setback, Pakistan captain Babar Azam joined Fakhar in the middle and retained Pakistan’s command with a solid 135-run partnership for the second wicket.
The pair looked to have settled down with Fakhar scoring a century while Babar followed it up with a half-century until the latter misread Ish Sodhi’s regulation leg-spinner in the 30th over and saw the end of his vital knock.
Babar smashed five boundaries and a six on his way to a 66-ball 65.
The home side then dealt another blow within the next four overs as Abdullah Shafique (1) fell victim to Henry Shipley.
The back-to-back setbacks did not bother Fakhar much as he then stitched an unbeaten 119-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan and denied New Zealand a late comeback.
Fakhar was the star performer for Pakistan with his incredible 180-run knock in just 144 deliveries, which featured 17 boundaries and six sixes.
Rizwan also supported him well with a magnificent half-century; scoring an unbeaten 54 in 41 balls with the help of six boundaries.
For New Zealand, Matt Henry, Shipley and Sodhi could pick up a wicket.
Put into bat first in the second PAK vs NZ ODI, New Zealand piled a mammoth 336/5 in their set of 50 overs at the back of a brilliant century and 98 by Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham respectively.
Earlier, the touring side got off to a cautious start as their in-form opener Will Young perished early in the sixth after scoring 19.
Following an early hiccup, a strong second-wicket partnership between Mitchell and Chad Bowes put New Zealand in control as the pair raised 86 runs in just 80 deliveries before Haris Rauf struck again to dismiss the latter soon after his maiden half-century.
Bowes smashed seven boundaries on his way to a run-a-ball 51.
Click to Watch Live PAK vs NZ ODI in HD Streaming at ARY ZAP
Mitchell then received massive support from his skipper Tom Latham and they stitched a marathon 183-run partnership for the third wicket before Naseem Shah got the danger man Mitchell in the 46th over with a slower delivery.
Mitchell top-scored for New Zealand with a 119-ball 129, laced up with eight boundaries and three sixes.
Latham’s stay at the crease remained brief after Mitchell’s dismissal as the left-handed batter fell victim to Haris Rauf in the next over; missing his well-deserved century by just two runs.
He scored 98 off just 85 deliveries, hitting eight boundaries and a six.
Some vital contributions from James Neesham’s (17*) and Henry Nicholls (6*) made sure New Zealand finished at a commendable total.
Haris Rauf led the bowling attack for Pakistan with 4/78 while Naseem could pick up a wicket.
