LIVE Coverage of 5th ODI
New Zealand Pakistan Match scheduled to begin at 15:00 local time (11:00 GMT)
Pakistan and New Zealand in UAE, 5 ODI Series, 2014, Game 5
Today, 3:00 PM at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi- UAE , some important information about Sheikh Zayed Stadium for cricket lovers..
The Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi ( ملعب الكريكيت الشيخ زايد) cost $22 million to build and is one of the world’s newest cricket grounds. It was opened in May 2004 and staged its first first-class match when Scotland played Kenya in the Intercontinental Cup that November.
The ground is dominated by two large stands at either end, with the areas square of the wicket offering large grass banking for spectators to sit, although during the daylight hours that might be less than appealing as there is no shade.
The first half of the 2014 Indian Premier League was held in the stadium along with Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium.
Update:
ABUDHABI: New Zealand have won the toss and decided to bat first in the final and deciding ODI against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan has made two changes. M.Hafeez is out with a injury and Asad Shafiq comes back in. Sohail Tanvir has been given a rest to include an extra spinner. Zulfiqar baber will playing.
New Zealand have also made a couple of changes. McCullum and Devcich come back in for Correy Anderson and Vettori who has flown back home for his brothers wedding….
update: 3.45 pm
New Zealand score after 10th hour 46/1, Brownlie and Williamson doing batting ….
Analysis of first ten hours by (Fatima Arshad from Stadium)
Amidst lots of hype and expectations, Pakistan and New Zealand started play on the fifth one day.
New Zealand winning the toss opted to bat first – smart decision? Well, time will tell. At the start of play the first ball of the game bowled by Mohammad Irfan was hit for a four by Guptill. He looked in control of the situation seeing as most of his shots were reaching the ropes. Soon after, the new addition, Zulfiqar Babar, was hit for two fours in just his first over. In the second over Guptill fell victim to Irfan’s signature heightened and extra bouncy ball. Edging it to slip he made his way home.
It may be too early to say this but Brownlie and Williamson seem to have a good knock going. The continuation of this partnership will prove to be extremely crucial to New Zealand’s – or Pakistan’s even for that matter – chances in this game
Anwar Ali is the centre of attention for today. He can either be expected to make the most of it or thwart the opportunity – most likely. In the two overs that he’s bowled he’s kept it fairly clean and silent.
update: 4.20
After 20 Hours New Zealand current score is 88 runs for the loss of 2 wickets of Martin Guptill and Dean Brownlie…..
Analysis
Pakistan have managed to keep it fairly silent. At the end of the 20th over the Kiwis have made 88 runs for the loss of 2. It may not be wrong to say that where the bowling has been kept tight, the fielding has been sloppy and since in a match where every run counts, it would be only for the best if Nasir Jamshed went straight to the gym in his time off. The Shahid Afridi effect seems to be creeping its way into the team, which was evidently seen in the previous two ODIs. The aggression that comes with his captaincy is perhaps Pakistan’s need of the hour. Williamson seems to be on his merry way to a blistering 50. Pakistan have not been able to silence his bat and with the confidence that he’s overflowing with, I’d say the lad deserves that feat. The extremely lucky Harris Sohail seems to be cementing his place in the team with his ever improving economical bowling and sporty fielding, given Hafeez’s exclusion. At the end of the 19th over, an uncomfortable Brownlie finally takes the long walk home. In walks Ross Taylor with whom the Kiwis will have attached a myriad of hopes.
Update: 4:40
New Zeaeland after 24 hours 110 runs for the loss of 2 wickets,Kane Williamson (C) batting on 54 and Ross Taylor batting on 10 runs…..
update: 5:15
New Zealand 155/2, Kane Williamson (C) batting on 72 and Ross Taylor on 36 after 35 hours …
Analysis
PAKISTAN LOOKING FOR A LOSS?
Pakistan are making a great effort by keeping it tight. Great display of captaincy from Afridi, bowling Harris Sohail in these middle overs as he’s rattling through them for less than 5 RPO. For me; the difference will be which team can get away with their 5th bowler more. So far I see this innings from a different perspective, rather than Pakistan choking NZ it seems NZ are playing conservatively and looking for a good platform to accelerate in the last 15. Williamson after scoring his half century seems to be taking it to the next level with his stylish shots.
Update: 5:35
190/2 New Zealand after 40 Hours, Current Run Rate is 4.75, Ross Taylor batting on 52 and Kane on 90 runs on 111 Balls….
update: 5: 50
Kane out on 97 runs, New Zealand score is 203/3, overs 42, Rose Taylor still batting on 57…
update: 5: 08
New Zealand lost another wicket of Luke Ronchi (W) the current score of New Zealand is 242/4, Rose Taylor still batting on 77 and Tom Latham is batting on 1 …
Update: 5:25
New Zealand Final Score after 50 hours is 274 Runs and they lost 4 wickets, run rate is 5.5.
Rose Taylor not out 88 and Tom Latham not out 22.
Score care of New Zealand
Martin Guptill 8 Runs
Dean Brownlie 34 Runs
Kane Williamson (C) 97 Runs
Ross Taylor 88 Runs not out
Luke Ronchi (W) 16 Runs
Tom Latham 22 Runs not
Mohammad Irfan took 2 wickets
PAKISTAN – OUT OR NOT OUT?
As we near the play’s end it seems like although Pakistan were active in the field, the Kiwis were the better side but by the end of the first innings Pakistan have a better chance at this game. With a mere total of 275 for the loss of 4, the Kiwis should put their best bowlers on early on in the innings and keep their fingers crossed. Pakistan never really looked like they would take wickets, it was all about containing runs. With Afridi as captain you’d expect there to be constant aggression and the wicket taking bowlers to always be on. Kane Williamson, the captain, led by example with his blistering 97 . He was well partnered by Ross Taylor who in his recent efforts to try and reawaken his old self scored a grand 88. Captain Boom Boom was the most economical bowler, followed by great bowling by Anwar Ali and Harris Sohail. Fielding efforts, which improved towards the end of the game, were heartily applauded by the large noisy crowd that has turned up today.
So hold on to your seats, this just might turn into a roller coaster!
update: 7:15
Pakistan lost his first wicket Nasir Jamshed on zero, currently Ahmed Shehzad is batting on 2 runs and Younus Khan on zero after 2 hours…
Update 7:50
After 10 hours Pakistan score is 24 for the lost of 2 wickets, Nasire Jamshed lbw by Matt Henry on Zero and Younus Khan catchby Luke Ronchi bold by Matt Henry on 12 runs, current run rate is 2.5..
Update: 7:05
Pakistan lost his 3 wicket of Asad Shafiq on 7, Pakistan total score up to now after 14 hours is 45 for the lost of 3 wickets..
Analysis
DOWN AND OUT
Pakistan are off to a slow and wobbly start. Hafeez left the crease early, he never did look too comfortable at the crease. Nasir Jamshed failed to impress with the opportunity given to him and this definitely puts his World Cup chances at stand by. Younis Khan and Asad Shafiq departed early, leaving Pakistan in a mess. Devcich, who was excluded from the previous match, came up and took responsibility and took a wicket. Matt Henry has become the front line bowler by devouring 2 Pakistan batsmen. Not much seems to be going for Pakistan at the moment but let’s hope for the best – at least the crowd here is.
udpate: 8:33
After 20 Hours Pakistan score is 73 for the lost of 3 wickets of Nasir Jamshd, Younus Khan and Asad Shafiq, run rate is 3.46….
Update: 10:00 PM
Pakistan score is 175/7 in 40 hours, Afridi and Anwar Ali are doing batting, Pakistan current rate is 4.39, Pakistan needs 82 runs on 48 balls…
Update: 11:15
Pakistan lost match against New Zealand by 68 runs.
Analysis
An expected outcome. New Zealand were indisputably in control from the beginning, once they got going there was no going back. The Kiwi batsmen put on a great show, particularly the skipper Kane Williamson and senior Ross Taylor. When it came to defending their total Matt Henry stepped up partnered by Devcich, who unfortunately left the field due to an injury. His duties were then taken over by Brendon McCullum who made one batsman his victim.
Pakistan’s work in the first innings proved to be just short of good, but the fielding efforts made towards the end of the innings were a delight to watch. The Green Shirts can take away several lessons from this series as they walk into the World Cup, most importantly they should now have been able to reach a conclusion regarding the perfect mix for the World Cup 2015. In Saeed Ajmal’s absence Pakistan has been able to realise which of its bowlers are mature enough to handle the responsibility and pressure, surely the management won’t disregard them when making a decision in their line ups next year. Hopefully players like Fawad Alam won’t be forgotten.
Reporting live from Abu Dhabi Cricket Stadium : Fatima Arshad (Sports Section Editor)
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