KARACHI: Pakistan skipper Babar Azam made a superb century Friday to help lift the green shirts to the top of the ODI rankings following a thumping 102-run win in the 4th match against New Zealand in Karachi.
Babar Azam smashed a 117-ball 107 and became the fastest batsman to reach 5,000 one day international runs, as Pakistan made 334-6 in their innings.
Introducing the new No.1 ranked side on the ICC ODI Team Rankings! pic.twitter.com/uOVRFBsf0Z
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 5, 2023
The win also gave Pakistan a 4-0 lead in the 5-match series and took the team to number one for the first time since the International Cricket Council (ICC) officially recognized the rankings in 2005.
Pakistan’s previous highest One Day International ranking was 3rd which they attained in January 2018 and again in June 2022.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Management Committee Najam Sethi congratulated team Pakistan for securing first position in ICC ODI ranking.
Congrats Team Pakistan for achieving #1 position in ICC ODI rankings. The best is yet to come!
— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) May 5, 2023
Pakistan won by 102 runs against New Zealand in 4th One Day International match in Karachi on Friday.
Lead extended to 4️⃣-0️⃣
A clinical performance to help Pakistan earn an emphatic 1️⃣0️⃣2️⃣-run victory 💪#PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/JSO4oLjzX6
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 5, 2023
New Zealand’s Tom Latham scored 60 runs while Mark Chapman made 46 in the 4th ODI in Karachi. Muhammad Wasim dismissed 3 batters of the visitors, while Haris Rauf took two wickets during the match. Shaheen Afridi also took one wicket against the visitors in Karachi.
.@iShaheenAfridi gets the New Zealand skipper! /#PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/dE5C7ZmOOq
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 5, 2023
Earlier, Pakistan made 334-6 runs in the 4th ODI against New Zealand in Karachi on Friday.
7️⃣0️⃣ runs in the final five overs 💥
Pakistan post 334-6 following @babarazam258's stellar ton and the death overs blitz 🏏#PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/fg1ci8XdCo
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 5, 2023
Pakistan vs New Zealand
As per the details, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam made 107 runs, while Shan Masood made 44 runs against the visitors. Agha Salman made 58 runs with the help of 6 boundaries. Matt Henry took three wickets, while Ish Sodhi dismissed one batsman.
Some shot this from @iamharis63! And a wonderful take from the ball-picker 🙌#PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/MxLViZkhI9
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 5, 2023
Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and decided to bowl first in the 4th ODI against Pakistan.
Score Updates:
Pakistan: 334/6 (50 overs)
Babar Azam (c): 107 runs
Agha Salman: 58 runs
Shan Masood: 44 runs
New Zealand: Yet to bat
💯 moment ✨
A spectacular knock from a fine player 👏#PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/waeBThtca1
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 5, 2023