Alam Zeb Khan
ISLAMABAD: New Zealand set an easy target of 261 runs in the second one-day international (ODI) against Pakistan in Karachi on Wednesday. Thanks to the superb bowling of off-spinner Muhammad Nawaz who restricted the kiwis’ batters’ quick pace after Devon Conway and Kim Williamson shared a superb 150-plus partnership including a superb hundred by Conway.
Earlier, New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first with a motive to set a decent total on board. From the very first over, the kiwis were trying to charge against Pakistan.
However, that didn’t work as precedential Naseem Shah grab his first wicket in the very first over when Finn Allen wanted to smash him in the cover, where Nawaz the ball grabbed into the safe hands of Muhamad Nawaz.
After Allen, Williamson joined Convey, and both the batters provided the team a good start, completed half-centuries, and took the scoreboard to 150 plus without losing a wicket.
Devon Convey was even more ruthless, produces some beautiful strikes, and completed his hundred on 92 deliveries. He was later clean bowled by Naseem Shah scoring 101, while Williamson sold 85 in the total and was clean bowled by Muhammad Nawaz.
Pak vs NZ : Pak Bowlers performance
It was time when Muhammad Nawaz showed his influence and took Kiwis under pressure while talking 3 more wickets in a quick row. Among those who were dismissed by Nawaz included Daryl Mitchell on 5, Tom Latham, 2, and Glen Philips scored just 3 runs.
Meanwhile, Micheal Bracewell scored when he was dismissed by Usama Mir as LBW. Later Ish Sodhi was also clean bowled by Haris Rauf on 7, while Tim Southee was caught at mid-wicket for no score by Naseem Shah.
After Conway and Williamson, no other batter resisted on the crease for more time, except Mitchel Santner who remained on the crease till the last over and scored steady 37 runs that helped to total to reach 261 in 50 overs. The last batter Ferguson was not out without scoring. New Zealanders were all out with the ball to spare.
Besides Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Usama Mir, and Harif Rauf also bowled well, particularly in the middle and last session of the innings, while grabbing 3, 1, and 1 wicket respectively.
