Pakistan slip to third in ODI rankings, Australia rise to first
Cricket
Young, bowlers avert whitewash by Pakistan
KARACHI (Dunya News) – The anticipated whitewash was denied Pakistan by a New Zealand side as Will Young’s blistering 87-ball 91 and bowlers’ brilliance powered the visitors to a comfortable 47-run victory in the 5th ODI in Karachi on Sunday.
Chasing a target of 300, Pakistan were bundled out for 252, with 23 balls to spare. The early hiccup for the home side made it difficult to chase a target. The wickets were falling continuously. Despite the loss, Iftikhar Ahmed played a blinder, scoring unconquered 72-ball 94, lacing with eight boundaries and two sixes.
Agha Salman, once again played brilliantly for his run-a-ball 57, before he was dismissed by Shipley. Fakhar Zaman played a circumspect knock, scoring 64-ball 33, smashing five boundaries.
Other batters including Shan Masood (7), Babar Azam (1), Mohammad Rizwan (9), Shadab Khan (14), Usama Mir (20), Shaheen Shah Afridi (0) Mohammad Wasim (6) and Haris Rauf failed to show any significant resistance with the bat.
New Zealand were disciplined in terms of bowling and with the exception of Cole McConchie (0-7), every of the visitors’ bowlers filled the wickets’ column.
Henry Shipley (3-34) and Rachin Ravindra (3-65) bagged three wickets apiece.
Adam Milne (1-34), Matt Henry (1-47) and Ish Sodhi (1-60) took a scalp each.
Following the defeat, Pakistan had dropped to third in the ODI rankings, while Australia had climbed to first place. However, New Zealand were thumped 4-1 by Pakistan in in the five-match ODI series.
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 7, 2023
Earlier Will Young’s enterprising 91-ball 87 and Tom Latham’s impressive 58-ball 59 powered New Zealand to 300-run target against the home side in the final ODI.
After opting to bat first, the visitors were one down for 32, when Tom Blundell (15) was removed by Mohammad Wasim. Tom Latham played terrific role in terms of forming partnerships with the three batters – Young, Chapman, McConchie.
He stitched a crucial partnership of 74-ball 74 with Young, paved way for the visitors to post a decent total.
Will Young was outstanding with the bat and treated the bowlers with utter contempt, lacing with eight boundaries and two towering sixes. In his calculated knock, Tom Latham smacked three boundaries.
Other batters including Mark Chapman (43), Cole McConchie (26), Rachin Ravindra (28), Henry Nicholls (23) made important contribution for their team.
Adam Milne (4), Henry Shipley (3) and Ish Sodhi (2) failed to show any significant resistance with the bat. Matt Henry remained unbeaten on 3-ball 4.
For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi (3-46) spearheaded the bowling attack, bagging three wickets. Usama Mir (2-53) and Shadab Khan (2-67) scooped up two wickets apiece.
Haris Rauf (1-45) and Mohammad Wasim (1-24) took a scalp each, while Agha Salman (0-60) remained wicketless.
On Friday, Pakistan created history by leapfrogging from third position to the top in the World ODI ranking after dealing a 102-run blow to New Zealand in the fourth ODI.
