Pakistan set 342-run target for New Zealand XI in tour match
Fakhar Zaman and Azhar Ali scored centuries in pakistan mammoth total of 341-9 in Nelson.
NELSON (Agencies) - Pakistan s top order batsmen roared into gear in their cricket tour opener, with openers Fakhar Zaman and Azhar Ali each scoring centuries in their mammoth total of 341-9 in Nelson.
In their only 50-over warmup match before Saturday s first one-day international against New Zealand in Wellington, Pakistan showed their readiness batting first against a New Zealand XI made up of players not required for the Twenty20 Super Smash competition.
Left-handed Zaman slayed 106 off 84 balls before retiring, hitting 12 fours and three sixes in an opening stand with Azhar worth 206 in 29 overs.
Azhar was more measured, hitting 104 off 105 balls before also departing for the Saxton Oval pavilion to give his team-mates an opportunity at the crease.
Allrounder Hasan Ali, the world s top-ranked ODI bowler who starred in Pakistan s Champions Trophy victory in June, whacked 36 off 15 balls at the end, including four sixes.
Former test offspinner Mark Craig (2-51 off 10) was the pick of the NZ XI bowlers while another spinner, Auckland s Aniket Parikh, had the most success with 3-74 off 10.
The selection XI faced a tough chase against Pakistan s strong bowling attack and required a run rate of 6.84 per over to reach their target of 342.
