Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 147 runs as New Zealand was all out for 217 runs in response to Pakistan’s massive total of 364 runs. New Zealand kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were finally bowled out for 217 runs, falling short of their target by 148 runs.
Shahid Afridi and Haris Sohail took 3 wickets each, Mohammad Irfan got 2 while Ahmed Shehzad and ahab Riaz secured 1 each. Pakistan now lead the 5-match series by 2-1.
Although Williamson (46) and Ross Taylor (31) batted brilliantly yet they failed to cause any worries to Pakistan as both of them gave away their wickets after setting in. Shahid Afridi bowled Taylor out which looked quite similar to what normally Afridi dismissals generally look. Taylor was caught in his crease by Afridi’s quicker one and with him were gone New Zealand’s hopes for this match. He scored 31 runs off 25 balls.
Williamson and Tom Latham built the partnership but fell just one run short of 50-run partnership when Williamson was caught and bowled by Haris Sohail. Anderson followed shortly after. Caught by Afridi off Wahab Riaz’s bowling, Corey Anderson scored 19 off 16. Latham was the next to go. He scored 34 runs off 48 balls.
Neesham (2) and Nathan McCullum (15) also didn’t prove to be much trouble for Pakistan. Pakistan now only needs one more wicket to finish things off at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan continues to dominate the third ODI in Sharjah as New Zealand has already lost 2 early wickets in pursuit of Pakistan’s gigantic 364. Martin Guptill scored 12 runs off 19 balls with the help of one boundary while the other opener Anton Devcich did not add any runs to the total as he got a duck when Kiwi total had only reached 5.
Both the wickets so far have been taken by Mohammad Irfan. Devcich was caught by wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed while Guptill was caught by Shahid Afridi. Afridi literally took a stunner as the ball was dipping on him and he caught it millimeters above the ground.
Pakistan carried on with what Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez had set up at the start of the innings and scored a massive total of 364 runs to set a gigantic target for the Kiwis in the 3rd One-Day International (ODI) at Sharjah.
Shahid Afridi muscled the Kiwi bowlers to all parts of the ground to score 55 off just 26 balls with the help of 6 boundaries and 3 sixes. Haris Sohail scored 33 off 28 balls with the help of 5 boundaries and a six. Wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed came onto the field after Umar Akmal’s unlucky run out and started smashing the ball all over the park. He scored 30 runs off just 14 balls and struck four boundaries and a six in his innings. On the other end, Sohail Tanvir sent the bowlers over the boundary rope twice during his short stay at the wicket. He scored 17 off 9 balls and remained unbeaten along with Sarfraz.
New Zealand bowlers had a terrible day anyways. Matt Henry gave away 69 runs off his 9 overs for his 3 wickets. McClenaghan went for 69 off his allotted 10 overs while Corey Anderson went for maximum by giving away 96 runs off his 10 overs. Both McClenaghan and Anderson took one wicket each. James Neesham gave away 70 runs while best of the bowlers, in terms of economy rate, was Nathan McCullum who went for 49 runs only and also got Younis Khan’s wicket.
New Zealand will start its innings in a short while to chase what seems to be an improbable task right now but such chasing such totals aren’t unheard of in cricket anymore and New Zealand certainly have the ability to shock everyone. However, this is Pakistan s highest ever total against New Zealand in an ODI and also the highest total ever at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Ahmed Shehzad got out after completing his 6th One-Day International (ODI) century against New Zealand. Pakistan has scored 210 runs so far off 37.1 overs for the loss of four wickets as Asad Shafiq was out bowled the next ball he faced after Shehzad’s dismissal. He scored 23 off 40 balls.
Ahmed Shehzad completed his 6th ODI century at almost run-a-ball rate and then got out for 113 off 120 balls. Younis Khan scored 35 runs off 38 balls before getting caught by Corey Anderson off McCullum’s bowling.
Haris Sohail and Shahid Afridi have just set foot on the crease and now Pakistan will have to rebuild the innings while just a few balls earlier it was right on top of New Zealand
Openers Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad have set Pakistan off to a blazing start and despite Hafeez’s wicket at 63, Ahmed Shehzad still continues to plunder the Kiwi bowling as Pakistan has completed its 100 runs in jusrt 18.1 overs.
Younis Khan is batting along with Ahmed Shehzad at 11 off 24 balls. Earlier, Hafeez was caught behind while trying to flash one through the covers. He was caught of Corey Anderson’s bowling.
