LAHORE: In the first game of the tri-nation ODI series, Pakistan lost to New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday after failing to chase a 331-run mark.
The host team lost by 78 runs after being bowled out for 254 in 47.5 overs, despite a heroic half-century by Fakhar Zaman.
Pakistan got off to a strong start in their chase with to a swift 52-run combination between openers Fakhar and Babar Azam. Babar took a conservative approach before being removed by Michael Bracewell for just 10 runs off 23 balls in the tenth over, whilst Fakhar played an aggressive role.
After that, Fakhar and Kamran Ghulam shared 51 runs, with Ghulam struggling to get 18 off 32 balls. Alongside skipper Mohammad Rizwan (3), the left-hander continued to stretch his innings, but he ultimately exited in the 24th over after a valiant 84 off 69 balls, which included four sixes and seven fours.
With a 40-run knock off 51 balls and important partnerships with Khushdil Shah (15) and Tayyab Tahir (30), vice captain Salman Ali Agha tried to lead the innings. However, Pakistan’s hopes were further dashed when Bracewell removed him.
With an undefeated 25 from 15 deliveries, Abrar Ahmed put up some late resistance, but it was unable to get Pakistan across the finish line.
Bracewell took two wickets for New Zealand, while Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry both took three.
Prior to this, New Zealand chose to bat first and amassed a commanding 330/6 in 50 overs, thanks to outstanding efforts from Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, and Kane Williamson.
Will Young (4) was removed by Shaheen Shah Afridi on the fourth ball of the encounter, giving the visitors a difficult start. Before being dismissed by Abrar Ahmed in the eighth over, Williamson and Rachin Ravindra (25 off 19) scored 35 runs.
Williamson and Mitchell formed a vital 95-run partnership with Williamson’s steady hit of 58 off 89 balls. But Shaheen got rid of him, and then Haris Rauf got rid of Tom Latham for a duck, bringing New Zealand down to 135/4 in 27.1 overs.
With a strong 81 off 84 balls, including two fours and four sixes, Mitchell served as the innings’ mainstay. Before losing to Abrar in the 38th over, he and Phillips had a crucial 65-run partnership.
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