RAWALPINDI: New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham starred with the bat as the visitors posted an imposing total of 336/5 in the second ODI against Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
After being offered to bat first, New Zealand lost opener Will Young early in the sixth over, but Mitchell and Latham combined to build a mammoth partnership.
Mitchell, who had scored a half-century in the previous match, continued his fine form as he smashed his second ODI hundred. He struck 11 fours and three sixes during his 92-ball 110-run knock.
Latham, the stand-in captain for the injured Kane Williamson, played a patient knock of 98 runs off 111 deliveries, which included six fours.
Haris Rauf was the pick of the Pakistani bowlers, finishing with four wickets for 65 runs in his 10 overs. However, the rest of the bowlers were unable to contain the Kiwi batsmen as New Zealand scored freely and set a daunting target.
Pakistan, who won the first ODI by five wickets, started the match without their ace bowler Shaheen Afridi, who was sidelined due to injury. Pacer Ihsanullah made his debut in his place.
In response, Pakistan got off to a good start with openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq putting up a solid 35-run partnership. But their middle order faltered as they lost three quick wickets for just 23 runs.
Babar Azam, the Pakistani captain, tried to steady the innings with his 42-run knock, but he too fell victim to the Kiwi bowlers. Mohammad Rizwan provided some resistance with a fighting half-century, but his efforts were in vain as Pakistan were bowled out for 250 runs in the 45th over.
James Neesham and Ish Sodhi were the pick of the Kiwi bowlers, taking three wickets apiece. Mitchell, who had earlier starred with the bat, also chipped in with two wickets.
The victory for New Zealand means that the five-match series is now level at 1-1. The next match will be played in Karachi on May 3, with the remaining two games scheduled for May 5 and 7.
Pakistan Playing II
Babar Azam (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Agha Salman, Abdullah Shafique, Ihsanullah, Usama Mir.
New Zealand Playing II
Tom Latham (captain), Chad Bowes, Mark Chapman, Matt Henry, Henry Shipley, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi, James Neesham, Will Young. Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK) and Rashid Riaz (PAK). TV umpire: Ahsan Raza (PAK). Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG).
