New Zealand win
New Zealand defeated Pakistan by a score of sixty runs in a key International Cricket Council championship match, which took place on a lively evening at the National Stadium, which had recently undergone renovations. Cricket fans from Bangladesh and beyond witnessed a riveting encounter. A strong total of 320 was established by the Black Caps, which was led by outstanding efforts from Tom Latham (118*) and Will Young (107). This establishment of a formidable total set the stage for a difficult chase for the hosts.
From the beginning of the match, New Zealand was able to overcome a rocky start. Even though they had lost wickets early on, Latham and Young were able to stabilize the batting with an important partnership of 118 runs. Having just scored a half-century in the final of the tri-series match against Pakistan, Latham displayed his class by scoring a century with complete composure. A balanced innings was produced by Young, who was brought in as a replacement for Rachin Ravindra owing to his injury. Young landed exactly from front-foot and back-foot shoots. Together with Glenn Phillips’s amazing 61 off 39 balls, their efforts propelled New Zealand to a competitive total with 113 runs in the last 10 overs of the game.
Pakistan had a difficult start to the chase losing two wickets in the opening ten overs. The home team struggled to keep up with the progressively rising required run rate even if Babar Azam struck a brave 64 and Khushdil Shah scored a blazing 69 off 49 balls. Having a back issue, Fakhar Zaman was batting at No. 4 and showed bits and pieces of his usual flair, but he finally failed against Michael Bracewell’s spin. After 47.2 overs, Will O’Rourke and Mitchell Santner both claimed three wickets, therefore ending Pakistan’s innings at 260 runs.
Some remarkable situations occurred during the match. The intensity was increased by the early departure of Zaman due to a back injury, as well as by Phillips’s magnificent diving catch that resulted in the dismissal of Mohammad Rizwan. Still, New Zealand’s disciplined bowling and superb fielding across the game helped them to keep control over the game.
New Zealand ended 50 overs with 320/5 (Latham 118*, Young 107, and Naseem 2-63). Only a few scores.
260 runs scored by Pakistan in 47.2 overs (O’Rourke for 347 and Babar for 64; Khushdil for 69 and Babar for 66);
New Zealand came out on top with a 60 run difference.
