PAK vs NZ: NEW ZEALAND SEALS THE SERIES IN STYLE, With a commanding performance, the Blackcaps have secured an unbeatable 2-0 lead over Pakistan on Wednesday.
[ Image Source: X/@BLACKCAPS ]
New Zealand, outclassing Pakistan even without their top performers from the first game. This emphatic victory underscores the incredible depth in New Zealand’s cricketing ranks, reaffirming their status as a dominant force on the global stage.
New Zealand’s bowlers came out firing from the very first over, making the most of the overcast conditions and leaving Pakistan with little breathing space in their chase. Will O’Rourke provided the early breakthrough, while Jacob Duffy partnered with him to maintain pressure. Duffy struck twice, including the crucial wicket of Babar Azam for just 1. Though the duo didn’t add more wickets to their tally, they kept the batters on edge with their relentless short-ball strategy.
Ben Sears then took charge, delivering a fiery spell that rattled the visitors, striking twice in his very first over. Nathan Smith contributed with a wicket, while Duffy added another to his name. However, the real star of the show was Sears, who wrapped up the innings in sensational fashion, claiming his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs.
Pakistan never managed to gain momentum in their chase, struggling against the extra bounce that the Kiwi pacers exploited effectively. Ultimately, that led to their downfall.
Pakistan’s batting performance was disappointing, further exposing their struggles with the bat. Several players endured painful blows to the helmet and body, while Haris Rauf had to leave the field after suffering a concussion.
Despite the difficulties, Faheem Ashraf stood as the lone fighter, playing a brilliant knock of 73 off 80 balls. He found solid support from Naseem Shah, who battled hard to register a commendable half-century. However, with a challenging target of 293, Pakistan needed their experienced players to step up but once again, they failed to deliver, allowing another series to slip away.
PAK vs NZ: 1st inning
Earlier in the match, New Zealand posted an imposing total of 293, powered by a phenomenal unbeaten 99 from Mitchell Hay and a solid 41 from Muhammad Abbas. The contributions from the other batters kept the scoreboard ticking, pushing the team close to the 300-run milestone.
On the bowling front, Pakistan found some success through Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Wasim, who claimed two wickets each, while the remaining three bowlers chipped in with one wicket apiece.
ALSO READ: ICC ODI Rankings 2025: Post-Champions Trophy
2 thoughts on “PAK vs NZ: New Zealand Crushes Pakistan’s ODI Hopes”