New Zealand pose with the trophy after whitewashing Pakistan 2-0
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
New Zealand’s batting duo of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor both scored centuries to help their side annihilate Pakistan by 119 runs in the second ODI in Napier.
Williamson and Taylor were well supported by opener Martin Guptill, who made 76.
However, Pakistan openers Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad both deserve some credit for scoring 86 and 55 respectively.
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum would have been mulling over his decision to bat first after he himself was clean bowled by Shahid Afridi for 31.
Guptill and Williamson made up for the loss of McCullum with a 128-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries, before Guptill was caught by Bilawal Bhatti at long-off off the bowling of Shehzad.
Guptill’s excellent knock of 76 came off 88 balls and included eight boundaries and a six.
Guptill hit eight boundaries and a six during his knock of 76
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Williamson and Taylor kept the runs flowing with a 79-run partnership, during which Williamson registered his sixth ODI century, before he was caught by Haris Sohail at short backward square leg off the bowling of Mohammad Irfan.
Williamson’s brilliant knock of 112 came off 88 deliveries and included 14 boundaries and a six.
Williamson’s sublime form with the bat continued
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New Zealand’s dominance with the bat continued as Taylor and Grant Elliott put together a 72-run partnership, during which Taylor recorded his half-century, before Elliott was caught by Sohail at deep backward square leg off the bowling of Ehsan Adil for 28.
Luke Ronchi failed to trouble the scorers as he was caught behind off the bowling of Irfan for a golden duck.
Ronchi was not given out initially, but Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq decided to review the decision. Since the replays showed that there was a very faint edge, the third umpire overturned the original decision.
Thanks to Taylor’s unbeaten knock of 102, which came off 70 balls and included 13 boundaries and two sixes, New Zealand finished on 369/5 off their 50 overs.
Taylor celebrates after scoring his 12th ODI century
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Irfan was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Afridi, Adil and Ahehzad chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Chasing 370 to win, Pakistan got off to a magnificent start as Shehzad and Hafeez amassed a 111-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries, before Shehzad was caught by Adam Milne off the bowling of Nathan McCullum.
Shehzad’s solid innings of 55 came off 62 balls and included eight boundaries.
Shehzad scored a valiant 55
Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo
Younis Khan only made 11 runs before he was caught by Tim Southee off the bowling of Nathan McCullum.
Hafeez went on to score 86 off 89 deliveries, which included five boundaries and three sixes, before he was caught by Milne at deep backward square leg off the bowling of Elliott.
Hafeez made a gutsy 86
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Following Hafeez’s dismissal, Pakistan’s middle and lower order completely collapsed as they went from 173/3 to being bowled out for 250.
Nathan McCullum, Elliott, Milne and Southee snapped up two wickets apiece, while Trent Boult and Daniel Vettori claimed one wicket each.
Ul-Haq was disappointed to have lost the match, and said: “It was a really tough series. We tried our best but we need to improve in every area. We just gave away 370 runs and we need to improve our bowling, especially at the death. If any batsman is set, then they need to continue till the end. It will be different in Australia but I think the pace and bounce will be the same so if we want to do really well, we have to tackle that well.”
McCullum was delighted with his team’s performance, and said: “We have to be happy with where we are at. We have been playing some perfect games of late, and now the challenge is to maintain that and be consistent going into the World Cup. This has been the ideal preparation for us so we have no excuses come the big event. The good things we have done is give different guys the opportunity to take the lead and execute our game plans. We have been able to achieve some special things of late, but we know we are not good enough to take any team in this tournament for granted. It is great to have so many contributors. Thankfully we have been having different guys stand up at times. Kane has been remarkable throughout, and Ross has been special at times too. The support has been amazing both in Test and ODI cricket. We thrive on this and we know how special this event is. It is a once-in-a-lifetime [chance] for us. We just hope to play the cricket we know we can [play] and produce good results.”
Williamson was named Man of the Match, and said: “It was nice to contribute in that fashion, but I think the way Ross batted in the middle, especially with how he finished off, was remarkable. There were many contributions that made our total possible and we knew that playing Pakistan they were always capable of chasing down whatever total [was] in front of them. We were fortunate to bat first and put some pressure on them with our first innings total. Always nice to play Pakistan who are a very strong side. We have a few days off and I am sure we will be raring to go afterwards.”