In an encounter at National Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan lost to New Zealand after putting up a meagre total
15 February, 2025
PHOTO: AP
In an encounter at National Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan lost to New Zealand after putting up a meagre total. Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first. The opening partnership between Fakhar Zaman (10) and Babar Azam was brief, lasting only until the fourth over. Zaman was dismissed by Will O'Rourke, caught at square leg by Young, leaving Pakistan at 16 runs. Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel then put together a 30-run partnership, but Shakeel was bowled by Bracewell for just 8 runs.
Babar Azam seemed to be finding his rhythm and looked set for a big score, but once again, after getting settled, he lost his wicket. He was caught by Smith off his own delivery, scoring 29 runs. With Pakistan at 54/3, the pressure mounted on the hosts. At this point, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha began to rebuild the innings, though the run rate remained slow.
In the 32nd over, Rizwan was dismissed for 46, bowled by Will O'Rourke off an inside edge, bringing an end to a valuable 88-run partnership. Salman Ali Agha, who had made 45, also fell soon after, caught by Duffy off Bracewell’s delivery.
Tayyab Tahir (38) was dismissed by Duffy, caught by Williamson at short mid-wicket. Pakistan had now lost six wickets at 195 runs. Khushdil Shah (7) was caught by Phillips at deep mid-wicket off Mitchell Santner. Shaheen Shah Afridi (1) was also dismissed by Santner with the help of Young, leaving Pakistan struggling.
Faheem Ashraf was lucky, as Duffy and Phillips dropped two of his catches. Despite this, his innings ended at just 22, caught by Santner off Will O'Rourke. Naseem Shah (19) was dismissed by Will O'Rourke, caught by Bracewell. Abrar Ahmed remained not out at 1 as Pakistan was all out for 242 runs in 49.3 overs. Will O'Rourke was the standout bowler, taking 4 wickets for 43 runs, while Bracewell and Santner each took 2 wickets.
New Zealand’s chase didn’t get off to a good start either. In the second over, Will Young (5) was dismissed LBW by Naseem Shah. Devon Conway and Kane Williamson steadied the innings, putting on a partnership of 71 runs. However, Williamson (34) was bowled by Salman Ali Agha, and Conway (48) was caught by Abrar off Naseem.
With New Zealand at 108/3, Pakistan had an opportunity to pressurize the visitors, but they couldn't capitalize on the chances. Tom Latham was given not out at 13 when an LBW appeal against him was rejected, although replays later showed that he would have been out. Shaheen Shah Afridi also dropped a return catch off Latham at 15, giving New Zealand another lifeline. Latham survived another scare at 27 when Saud Shakeel dropped a catch at square leg off Abrar's bowling.
Latham and Daryl Mitchell then took charge, putting on a crucial partnership of 87 runs. Mitchell (57) was caught by Abrar off his own bowling, and Latham (56) was dismissed by Shaheen, caught by Abrar.
Phillips (20) and Bracewell (2) remained not out as New Zealand reached their target of 243 runs in 45.2 overs, winning by 5 wickets. Naseem Shah was the best bowler for Pakistan, taking 2 wickets for 43 runs.
