New Zealand convincingly won the high scorer match in Napier today. New Zealand gave target of 370 runs to Pakistan in chase of which whole Pakistani team got out on 250. New Zealand won the second ODI by 119 runs and thus won the short two matches ODI series against Pakistan by 2-0.
Match Report: New Zealand v Pakistan; 2nd ODI; McLean Park, Napier; 3rd February, 2015.
With World Cup knocking the door, every victory counts and New Zealand already having home advantage had some more confidence booster in face of series against Pakistan which they credibly won by 2-0.
Unlike first ODI, second was a high scorer with New Zealand decided to set the target this time. Kane Williamson & Ross Taylor smashed centuries on the ideal batting pitch. Their centuries facilitated by Guptill’s responsible start steered New Zealand to a mammoth total of 369 runs which was quite visibly out of reach for Pakistan whose batting line-up is always under scrutiny for its inconsistency. So, it proved out to be.
Muhammad Hafeez, 86, and Ahmed Shehzad, 55, gave a solid start to Pakistan team but middle order failed to capitalize it into victory. With Pakistan’s first wicket falling at 111 runs, it seemed that Pakistan was on a right track, though the run rate was still less than the required one but still they had enough chance with wickets in hand.
Younis Khan again failed and is an alarming sign for Pakistan as they have not a single consistent player in middle order except Misbah-ul-Haq and inducting Younis Khan is just wasting the spot. Pakistan was 2 down till 30 overs and the remaining 8 players departed within span of just 13 overs, this sheds light on fragility of Pakistani batting. Besides openers only skipper Misbah scored some reasonable 45 runs whilst all other players miserably failed.
Shahid Afridi who smashed fast paced 66 runs in first ODI was promoted up in the order but he again failed to carry his form and scored just 11 runs before Elliot caught him. Pakistan managed to score just 250 runs in chase of 370, sparing some 7 overs and thus New Zealand won the match by whooping 119 runs. While talking about bowling, it was a collective effort from New Zealand side with Southee, Milne, McCullum and Elliot grabbing 2, 2 wickets each.
New Zealand rightly took advantage of brittleness of Pakistan bowling attack already suffering with bans and injuries and expectedly it failed to restrict Kiwis to an achievable target. After the fast paced start from Brendon McCullum, the 128 runs-second wicket partnership between Guptill and Williamson put New Zealand on the perfect track.
Guptill was eyeing the century but was unlucky as he got out off the full-toss from the part-time legspinner Ahmed Shehzad. After Guptill departs, Taylor joined Williamson and they both kept the momentum going on. New Zealand’s last 116 runs came in just last 10 overs with major contribution from Taylor who hit 73 in just 36 balls.
Taylor was 8 runs short of the ton with just two balls remaining when He sent the penultimate ball of the innings soaring into the crowd beyond deep extra cover, and finished the innings with a thick outside edge to the third man boundary. Taylor’s century was also New Zealand’s 100th ODI century.
Scorecard:
New Zealand 369 for 5 (Williamson 112, Taylor 102*, Guptill 76) beat Pakistan 250 (Hafeez 86, Shehzad 55) by 119 runs
Man of the Match: KS Williamson (New Zealand)