Summary Opening batsmen Fakhar Zaman and Azhar Ali both scored magnificent centuries.
NELSON (Dunya News/Agencies) – Pakistan have on Wednesday thrashed New Zealand XI by 120 runs in their tour opener practice game played at Nelson’s Saxton Oval.
New Zealand XI won the toss and put the Green Shirts into bat. Pakistan openers roared into gear as Fakhar Zaman and Azhar Ali each scored a century to set up a mammoth total of 341-9.
In their only 50-over warm-up 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.
All-rounder 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 off spinner 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 could not manage the tough chase against Pakistan’s strong bowling attack, requiring a run rate of 6.84 per over to reach their target of 342, and were bowled out on 221 runs in 47.1 overs.
Michael Davidson scored the only half-century (54) from New Zealand XI while others struggled against Pakistan bowling attack. Matt McEwan remained second highest with 28. Openers Boyle and Beecroft both scored 20 runs each.
Shadab Khan remained the pick of the bowlers from Pakistan who dismissed four batsmen for in his wonderful spell. Faheem Ashraf sent two batters to the pavilion while Mohammad Amir, Rumman Raees, Hasan Ali and Fakhar Zaman claimed one wicket apiece.
