- By Namrata Vijay
- Wed, 02 Apr 2025 01:19 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
NZ vs PAK 2nd ODI: New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 84 runs during the 2nd ODI of the three-match series in Hamilton on Wednesday. While batting first, the hosts posted a mammoth target of 292/8 on the back of a match-winning knock by Mitchell Hay, who fell short of his well-deserved maiden ODI century, as he was left stranded on 99.
While chasing, the Mohammed Rizwan-led side were skittled out for 208 runs, where Faheem Ashraf was the highest run-getter. New Zealand's Ben Sears was the pick among the bowlers as he took a five-for and helped his team lead the series by 2-0.
The Men in Green had a shaky start to their chase as the Kiwi bowlers rattled their batting lineup. Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique fell cheaply as he got out after scoring just one run as he smashed the ball towards Will O'Rourke, who was standing at first slip. After two overs, the visitors suffered another blow as Babar Azam smashed the ball towards the second slip in Jacob Duffy's over.
The Mohammed Rizwan-led side suffered a batting collapse as the Kiwi bowlers were at their absolute best and gave the visitors a hard time. Imam ul Haq (3 off 12), Salman Agha (9 off 15), and Mohammad Rizwan (5 off 27), all fell early and thus the visitors were tottering at 32/5 in 11.4 overs.
Faheem Ashraf and Naseem Shah's fightback
Faheem Ashraf came into bat at No.7 position and showed positive intent. He scored his fifty off 53 balls, where he also had hit a huge six in Ben Sears' over. But he still didn't get any help from the other batters as they suffered a batting collapse yet again.
The visitors were reeling at 114/8 after 28.2 overs where Naseem Shah came in as a concussion substitute for Haris Rauf, who had retired hurt since he was hit on his helmet. Naseem too batted positively and stitched a partnership of 61 runs for the ninth wicket and helped the team bounce back.
But Sears once again helped the hosts bounce back as he dismissed Faheem. Faheem got out after scoring a gritty knock of 73 runs. After Faheem's wicket, Naseem continued his brilliant batting and scored his first ODI half-century off 41 balls and helped the visitors score more than 200 runs.
Although he got out after scoring just 51 runs as the visitors were skittled out for just 208 runs. Due to this, the visitors failed to bounce back as the hosts are now leading the three-match series by 2-0.
Mitchell Hay's fireworks propel New Zealand to 292
During the first innings, the Black Caps had a flying start as openers Nick Kelly and Rhys Mariu stitched a partnership of 54 runs for the first wicket. Mohammed Wasim Jr. then broke this partnership. And once they got their first breakthrough, the Pakistan bowlers took wickets continuously and left the hosts reeling at 132/5 in 26.3 overs.
And when half of New Zealand's batters were dismissed, Muhammad Abbas and Mitchell Hay helped the team bounce back by stitching a match-winning partnership of 77 runs. Abbas fell short of his fifty as he was dismissed by Sufiyan Muqeem. But Hay then scored his fifty off 61 balls. Hay, who had featured in just his sixth ODI match, showed his maturity and helped his team post a mammoth target of 292 runs.
He scored an unbeaten knock of 99 runs by smashing a four on the last ball. He was also given the Player of the Match award. Pakistan, who have lost this series, will aim to avoid a clean sweep in the 3rd ODI on Saturday.
