Lahore: New Zealand won a 78 -run victory against Pakistan in the opening match of the Tree Nation One Day Series in Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Saturday. Despite the bravery of Fakhr Zaman’s half -century, Pakistan dropped to a target of 331 runs, scoring 252 runs in 47.5 overs.
Chasing a great 331, Pakistan started its innings with promise, as openers Fakir Zaman and Babar Azam set up a stable 52 -run partnership. Fakhr took an aggressive approach, while in the 10th over, Babar played a more cautious role before being dismissed by Michael Breswell for just 10 runs.
Despite Fakhr’s knocking off 69 balls by 84 runs, which included seven fours and four sixes, Pakistan’s innings struggled to take up the force. Fakhar set up a 51 -run partnership with Kamran Ghulam (18) and before falling in the 24th over, a short stand with Mohammad Rizwan (3).
Vice -captain Salman Ali Agha then tried to strengthen the innings, scored 40 off 51 balls, including two boundaries and six. He participated in a partnership with Taib Tahir (30) and Khushil Shah (15), but Michael Breswell’s timely progress sent him back to the pavilion.
Abrar Ahmed’s late Fightback, which was unbeaten on 25 balls, was not enough because Pakistan was finally bowled for 252.
New Zealand bowlers performed clinical performance, Mitchell Sentner and Matt Henry took three wickets. Breswell played a key role, and claimed that Pakistan was chasing.
Earlier, Glenn Philips’s brilliant century helped New Zealand a great target of 331.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Sentner won the toss and selected the first batting. However, the decision to bat initially appeared on the backfire when Will Young was soon sacked, which Mohammad Rizwan was arrested by Shaheen Shah Afridi in the first over.
Raun Ravindra, who contributed with Ken Williamson in the crease, participated in a 39 -run stand before being dismissed, which Abrar Ahmed was captured by his own bowling.
Both openers first went inside the powerplay, with Williamson and Daryl Mitchell setting up a 95 -run partnership to strengthen the ship.
Williamson, who was in solid form, was dismissed for $ 58 for delivery of 89, including seven boundaries. His departure left New Zealand at 135/4 in 27.1 overs, when Hermes Rauf also dismissed Tom Latham for duck.
Mitchell was flexible through the middle over, scoring 81 off 84 balls, including two fours and four sixes. He and Phillips combined a key partnership of 65 for the sixth wicket, with dismissing Abrar Ahmed in Mitchell’s 38th over.
However, Philips intensified in the final stages, with 74 balls reached 106, including six fours and seven sixes. Its powerful knock, Michael Breesville’s Quick Fire 23 Balls 31, helped New Zealand cross the 300 -run mark.
For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi was the most successful bowler, he took three wickets. Abrar Ahmed cooperated with two wickets, while Harsh Rauf made a claim.
New Zealand’s total imposing 331 Pakistan puts Pakistan in a difficult position as they pursue the target that promises to have an exciting competition at Gaddafi Stadium.
Both Pakistan and New Zealand are ready for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Although the two sides will also meet in the opening match of the prestigious tournament in Karachi, the game is the first sign at the newly renewed Gaddafi Stadium.
