Karachi, 11 January 2023: New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 79 runs in the second ODI to end the hosts’ hopes of topping the ICC ODI Team Rankings for the first time. This was New Zealand’s first win on Pakistan soil since December 1996 when Lee Germon’s side beat Wasim Akram’s side by seven wickets in Karachi.
Devon Conway stroked his second ODI century and Kane Williamson struck his 41st half-century as New Zealand were spun out for 261 in 49.5 overs after being 183 for one. In their run-chase, Pakistan were never in the hunt after losing both the openers at the score of nine and were dismissed for 182 after being 86 for three at one stage.
The result meant Pakistan will not peak to the top of the ICC ODI Team Rankings. The best they can now achieve is to finish fourth, but to make this happen, Pakistan will have to win Friday’s ODI and India needs to lose one of the two ODIs against Sri Lanka. If India wins both the ODIs, Pakistan will finish fifth irrespective of how their last ODI pans out.
Conway struck 13 fours and a six in a 92-ball 101 and put on 181 runs off 175 balls with Williamson, who faced 100 balls for his 85 that included 10 fours. While Naseem Shah ended the innings of Conway to finish with figures of three for 58, Mohammad Nawaz outfoxed Williamson with a beauty to end with four for 38.
Following Conway’s dismissal, New Zealand’s innings collapsed like a house of cards as they lost their last nine wickets for 78 runs. The score earned some respectability following a 21-run last-wicket stand between Mitchell Santner (37) and Lockie Ferguson (0).
Chasing victory to keep their hopes of topping the ICC ODI Team Rankings alive, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan stitched a 55 runs partnership for the third wicket from 99 balls before their innings fell apart. The only other partnership of note was the 38-run fifth wicket stand between Babar and Salman Ali Agha, who was smartly run-out by Glenn Phillips after scoring a 22-ball 25.
Babar, who was the ninth batter out, was Pakistan’s top-scorer with a 114-ball 79 with eight fours and a six, while Rizwan contributed 28.
For New Zealand, wickets were evenly shared with Tim Southee and Ish Sodhi, who picked up two wickets apiece, and Ferguson, Santner, Michael Bracewell and Phillips, who claimed a wicket each.
The third and final OD will be played on Friday.
Scores in brief:
New Zealand 261 all out, 49.5 overs (Devon Conway 101, Kane Williamson 85, Mitchell Santner 37; Mohammad Nawaz 4-38, Naseem Shah 3-58)
Pakistan 182 all out, 43 overs (Babar Azam 79, Mohammad Rizwan 28, Salman Ali Agha 25; Tim Southee 2-33, Ish Sodhi 2-38)
Player of the match – Devon Conway (New Zealand)
Next match – Friday, Karachi
