Summary Williamson saw the Kiwi side through to the victory despite wickets falling around him
SHARJAH: (AFP, Web Desk) – Williamson saw New Zealand through to the victory in the second One-Day International (ODI) at Sharjah on Friday. It was New Zealand’s first ever victory in Sharjah over Pakistan. Pakistan was all out for 252 in the first innings and New Zealand made it to the target without much difficulty. They lost the way in the middle but Kane Williamson made sure that his side saw it through and Vettori (13)*and Luke Ronchi (36) played around him to make it to the target.
Pakistan got 6 wickets in the match out of which were taken by Shahid Afridi, 3 were secured by Haris Sohail while Devcich was run out.
New Zealand won it comfortably in the end by 4 wickets and with 4 overs to spare.
Earlier: New Zealand on verge of victory in second ODI against Pakistan. Haris Sohail did well to get 3 wickets yet visitors looking strong with less than 50 runs required.
New Zealand batting has done extremely well while chasing Pakistan’s target of 253 runs. Openers Anton Devcich and Dean Brownlie had set the tone by their 103-run opening partnership. Devcich scored 58 runs off 66 balls while Brownlie scored 47 off 61.
Pakistan pulled the game back a little by getting four wickets within next 45 runs as Bronlie was bowled out by Shahid Afridi and Devcich was run out for 47. Ross Taylor (2) and Latham (3) were quick to go as Haris Sohail struck at regular intervals and later also got Corey Anderson for 10 off just 10 balls.
However, Luke Ronchi joined hands with Williamson and stabilized the innings to see the team sail through the rough waters.
Haris Sohail has taken 3 wickets so far while Shahid Afridi has secured 1.
Earlier: Hafeez lifts Pakistan to 252 in second ODI at Sharjah. Mohammad Hafeez s 76 and Haris Sohail s 3 stabilized the innings while Misbah strengthened the stand.
Opener Mohammad Hafeez hit a solid half-century as Pakistan made 252 all out in 48.3 overs in the second day-night international in Sharjah on Friday.
Hafeez hit a 92-ball 76 with nine boundaries and a six while skipper Misbah-ul Haq chipped in with a 65-ball 47 to rescue Pakistan from a shaky 20-3 after they won the toss and elected to bat at Sharjah stadium. Pakistan lead the five-match series 1-0 after winning the first game in Dubai by three wickets.
With his position under threat after his suspension over his illegal bowling action, Hafeez struck form in the nick of time as he added 77 for the fourth wicket with Haris Sohail (33) and another 66 for the fifth with Misbah.
Paceman Matt Henry (4-45) had jolted Pakistan by dismissing opener Ahmed Shehzad, caught behind in the first over for a duck and then bowled Asad Shafiq (one) in his third.
In between seamer Mitchell McClenaghan, who took 3-56, had Younis Khan for six. Yunis failed to capitalize on a no-ball leg-before by the same bowler on nought.
When it looked as if Pakistan would post a 300-plus total Henry took Hafeez and Misbah, caught behind in the space of nine runs.
Misbah, who hit two fours and two sixes, wasn t happy with English umpire Richard Illingworth s decision and reviewed the decision, but it was to no avail. His dismissal at 172 seemed to have derailed Pakistan s innings but Shahid Afridi hit three sixes and a boundary in his 14-ball 27 while Sarfraz Ahmed made 23.
McClenaghan dismissed Ahmed and Sohail Tanvir (14) in the 49th over to wrap up the innings.
Pakistan brought in Tanvir for Umar Gul, who was struggling for fitness while New Zealand were forced to make three changes.
Paceman Kyle Mills, all-rounder Jimmy Neesham and spinner Nathan McCullum made way for McClenaghan, Corey Anderson and Henry.
Earlier: Pakistan batting line stabilizes after losing early wickets. Mohammad Hafeez s 76 and Haris Sohail s 3 stabilized the innings while Misbah strengthened the stand.
Pakistan batting line as stabilized after losing 3 wickets for ust 20 runs early on in the innings. Opener Mohammad Hafeez batted brilliantly to give the hosts a stand. He scored 76 runs off 92 balls with the help of 9 boundaries and 1 six under extremely difficult conditions.
Haris Sohail batted well for his 33 off 45 and made 77-run partnership with Hafeez. He was the next to go, however. Caught by Ross Taylor off Anderson’s bowling, Haris had hit 2 boundaries and a six in his innings.
Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq oined Hafeez and the two took the scoreboard to 163 before Hafeez was caught by Latham off Henry’s bowling. Shortly after, Kiwi quick Henry got Misbah as well and now wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmad has been joined in the middle by Shahid Afridi.
Matt Henry has so far taken four wickets out of Pakistan’s six.
