Pakistan Struggles as Batting Lineup Collapses Chasing New Zealand’s 293
HAMILTON: Pakistan found themselves in serious trouble on Wednesday while attempting to chase a 293-run target in the second ODI against New Zealand at Seddon Park. The hosts set the challenging total thanks to Mitchell Hay’s brilliant unbeaten 99, guiding them to 292-8.
Pakistan’s Batting Struggles
Pakistan’s run chase started poorly as opener Abdullah Shafique (1) departed early, followed by star batter Babar Azam, who was dismissed after scoring just a single run. Their struggles worsened when Imam-ul-Haq (3) also fell to Jacob Duffy, making it an uphill battle for the Green Shirts.
With the top three batsmen falling cheaply in the slip cordon, Pakistan’s scoreboard read 32-5 after further setbacks. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan (5) and Salman Ali Agha (9) failed to make an impact, leaving Tayyab Tahir (0*) and Faheem Ashraf (0*) at the crease, tasked with a massive recovery.
Pakistan must win this game to level the three-match series, as New Zealand currently leads 1-0.
New Zealand’s Innings
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, New Zealand got off to a solid start with debutant Rhys Mariu and Nick Kelly adding a 50-run opening stand. However, Haris Rauf provided the breakthrough in the sixth over, dismissing Kelly for 31 off 23 balls, leaving New Zealand at 54-1.
Mariu followed soon after, departing for 18 when Mohammad Wasim Jr struck in the 10th over, putting the Kiwis under pressure at 71-2.
Daryl Mitchell, who came in next, contributed 18 off 18 deliveries before falling to Sufiyan Muqeem, leaving the Black Caps at 100-3. Henry Nicholls (22) was trapped lbw soon after, pushing the hosts to 102-4 in 16.5 overs.
Skipper Michael Bracewell and Muhammad Abbas attempted to stabilize the innings with a 30-run stand, but Wasim Jr struck again, dismissing Abbas for 17 and reducing New Zealand to 132-5 in 26.3 overs.
Mitchell Hay Anchors New Zealand’s Total
Mitchell Hay and Abbas (41 off 66 balls) forged a vital 77-run partnership for the sixth wicket, giving New Zealand a much-needed boost. However, Muqeem ended their stand by dismissing Abbas, leaving the score at 209-6 in 39.5 overs.
Despite losing wickets, Hay played a composed innings, reaching his fifty in ODIs. Faheem Ashraf provided another breakthrough, dismissing Nathan Smith (8) at 236-7 in 45.1 overs.
New Zealand suffered another setback when Ben Sears was run out by Mohammad Rizwan for a duck, reducing them to 270-8 in the 49th over.
In the final over, Hay took charge, smashing two fours and two sixes off Wasim Jr to push New Zealand to a competitive total of 292.
Pakistan’s bowlers had some success but struggled with discipline, conceding 32 extras, including 20 wides and 12 leg byes.
Wasim Jr and Muqeem claimed two wickets each, while Faheem Ashraf, Akif Javed, and Haris Rauf took one wicket apiece.
Playing XIs:
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (w/c), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Akif Javed.
New Zealand: Nick Kelly, Rhys Mariu, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell (c), Muhammad Abbas, Mitchell Hay (w), Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, William O’Rourke.
