ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will be eyeing a series victory today, Wednesday, as the green shirts face New Zealand in the second of the three-match ODI series in Karachi.
Half-centuries by opening batter Fakhar Zaman (56 from 74) and Muhammad Rizwan (77 from 86) helped Pakistan chase New Zealand’s 256-run target with 11 balls to spare on Monday. The green shirts are already 1-0 up in the three-match series.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam also made an impressive contribution with the bat, scoring 66 runs from 82 balls. For New Zealand, Michael Bracewell ended up with figures of 2/44, Tim Southee 1/55 and Glenn Phillips with 1/35.
The hosts will be looking toward pacer Naseem Shah, whose fifer from the first ODI restricted New Zealand to 255/8 after 50 overs. Shah, who ended up with figures of 5/57, got ample support from debutant Usama Mir (2/42) while Muhammad Nawaz also pitched in with a wicket.
After a dismal Test record at home, Pakistan have improved their ODI record over the past 12 months with impressive series victories over Australia, Netherlands and the West Indies.
Pakistan defeated Australia 2-1, West Indies 3-0 at home before trouncing the Netherlands 3-0 in an away series. Monday’s win makes it Pakistan’s ninth victory in the last 10 matches.
Pakistan’s recent Test series losses at the hands of England and Australia as well as a winless draw against New Zealand last week put skipper Babar Azam’s captaincy under scrutiny. Some cricket analysts have called on the batter to resign as skipper and focus more on his batting.
The match begins at 2:30 p.m. at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.
