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Comprehensive win for Pakistan against New Zealand after being beaten in the first ODI by 47 runs, Pakistan managed to beat New Zealand comprehensively in the 2nd ODI to level up the 3-matches ODI series.
Kiwi’s skipper, Kane Williamson, won the toss and opted to bat first. The openers (Munro & Worker) for New Zealand couldn’t give them the start they would like to with Munro (13) getting out on the last bowl of the second over of Shaheen Afridi. Backbone of Kiwi’s middle order, Taylor, played a unbeaten innings of 86 runs off 120 deliveries. Everything looked pretty well with opener Worker (28) still on the crease and Taylor looked settle until Worker got out, being bowled by Mohammad Hafeez in the fourth ball of the 15th over. Then, the wickets started to cripple at regular succession. With the effort of Taylor and the lower order batsmen New Zealand set up an ordinary total of 209 runs with the loss of 9 wickets. Thanks to the Pakistani Bowlers who bowled economically and in tight length to put pressure on the New Zealand’s Batting line up. Shaheen Shah Afridi stoled the show with his brilliant spell of 9 overs conceding just 38 runs and picked up vital 4 wickets.
In reply, Pakistan lost their opener Imam ul Haq (16) early in very sadden way (retire hurt). Then in came Babar Azam (46) to accompany Fakhar Zaman (88). Shortly after, the first wicket fell Babar Azam was too sent back to pavilion by Ferguson who also picked Fakhar Zaman earlier. Later, very experienced Hafeez (27)* played sensibly and finished off the things for Pakistan. Ferguson took maximum 3 wickets for New Zealand. In the end Pakistan chased down the total in the 41st over with the loss of 4 wicket to register 6 wickets win over New Zealand. They will lock horned again on 11th November as it will decide the fate of the series.
(Written by entrant writer – Subash Sharma)
