NAPIER: New Zealand posted its highest-ever total of 369 runs for the loss of five wickets against Pakistan after winning the toss and decided to bat first in the second and final One-day International against Pakistan at McLean Pak in Napier on Tuesday, DawnNews reported.
Kiwi batsman Kane Williamson scored 112 runs off 88 deliveries while Ross Taylor scored an unbeaten 102 runs off 70 balls.
Opener Martin Guptil scored 76 off 88 deliveries.
Pakistan’s paceman Mohammad Irfan took two wickets giving away 52 runs in his allotted 10 over.
Shahid Afridi, Ahmed Shehzad and Ehsan Adil took a wicket each.
The Greenshirts were rusty in all departments in the previous encounter between the two teams and with the World Cup just 12 days away Pakistan is desperate to shake of the rust and win the second ODI in order to build confidence.
For New Zealand, everything is clicking into place. Skipper Brendon McCullum is happy with the way the team is shaping up before the World Cup. Both the batting and bowling is consistent and the bench strength is strong. A win in Napier will give them the ideal boost just before the tournament.
New Zealand coach Mike Hesson had said on Monday the team will continue their rotation policy depending upon the opponents and the conditions.
“We’re fairly well advanced in terms of what we think we’ve got with the bowling. But until we see the conditions, we won’t make that call,” he said.
Kane Williamson, who had missed the first ODI with a shoulder injury, is in doubt for this match and a call on his inclusion will be taken just before the start on Tuesday.
Martin Guptill, after two golden ducks, showed glimpses of returning to good touch by scoring 39 in Wellington while Brendon McCullum will be hoping to sign off with a big score.
With Mohammad Hafeez failing with the bat, Pakistan’s top order remains fragile. Misbah-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi saved Pakistan the blushes but the rest of the batting failed as a unit.
Senior batsman Younis Khan’s poor ODI form continues to be a problem for the tourists as they seek top-order stability before they head into the World Cup.
Their bowling is also handicapped by the absence of Junaid Khan, who on Tuesday was ruled out of the World Cup after failing to clear a fitness test on his injured leg.
With the batting in poor form and the bowling thin on experience, it will take a monumental effort from Pakistan to win in Napier.
source: dawn
Tags: cricket match, New Zealand, Pakistan, sports
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