HAMILTON: Pakistan on Wednesday are in deep trouble as they attempt to chase down a 293-run target during the second ODI against New Zealand courtesy of the Black Caps’ Mitchell Hay’s remarkable unbeaten 99 guided the hosts 292-8 at Seddon Park.
Beginning their chase, the Green Shirts got off to a shaky start after opener Abdullah Shafique (1) departed early followed by star batter Babar Azam who also was sent back to pavilion after scoring just one run.
The national side’s woes further exacerbated after opener Imam-ul-Haq (3) also lost his wicket to Jacob Duffy. With all three batters getting caught in the slips, the score currently stands at 174-9 after skipper Mohammad Rizwan (5) and Salman Ali Agha (9) also failed to contribute much to the score.
Tayyab Tahir and Mohammad Wasim Jr also departed after scoring 13 and one run, respectively, whereas Akif Javed was sent back to the pavilion after scoring eight runs.
Faheem Ashraf’s valiant effort of 73 runs also came to an end after he was caught behind in the 38th over.
The national side must win today’s match to level the three-match series currently being led by the hosts by 1-0.
Asked to bat first, the Kiwis’ opening pair of debutant Rhys Mariu and Nick Kelly got off to a solid start, putting together a 50-run stand.
However, the partnership was broken in the sixth over when Kelly was dismissed by Pakistan’s right-arm pacer Haris Rauf for 31 off 23 deliveries, leaving New Zealand at 54-1.
In the 10th over, New Zealand lost their second opener, Mariu, for 18 when Wasim Jr struck, leaving the team under pressure at 71-2.
Daryl Mitchell, who joined the crease, added 18 runs off 18 balls before falling to Sufiyan Muqeem, leaving New Zealand at 100-3.
The wickets continued to fall, and in the very next over, Henry Nicholls was dismissed for 22 lbw, leaving the Black Caps struggling at 102-4 after 16.5 overs.
Skipper Michael Bracewell and Muhammad Abbas then tried to steady the innings with a 30-run partnership for the fifth wicket. However, Wasim Jr struck again, dismissing Abbas for 17, reducing the hosts to 132-5 in 26.3 overs.
Mitchell Hay and Abbas (41 off 66 balls) formed a crucial 77-run partnership for the sixth wicket, relieving some pressure and helping New Zealand to a more competitive position. However, Sufiyan Muqeem ended the partnership by dismissing Abbas, leaving New Zealand at 209-6 in 39.5 overs.
Despite the loss of wickets, Hay continued to play with composure, bringing up his half-century in the 50-over format. Pakistan’s Faheem Ashraf delivered the seventh breakthrough, dismissing Nathan Smith for eight, leaving New Zealand at 236-7 in 45.1 overs.
The Black Caps lost their eighth wicket when Ben Sears was run out by Pakistan’s skipper Mohammad Rizwan for a duck, leaving New Zealand at 270-8 in 49 overs.
In the final over, Hay charged at Wasim Jr and struck two fours and two sixes to help his side reach 292, aiming to claim the series by setting up a defendable total.
Pakistan’s bowlers managed to take wickets but also conceded 32 extras, including 20 wides and 12 leg byes.
Mohammad Wasim Jr and Sufiyan Muqeem claimed two wickets each, while Faheem Ashraf, Akif Javed and Haris Rauf took one wicket apiece.
Playing XIs:
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (w/c), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Akif Javed.
New Zealand: Nick Kelly, Rhys Mariu, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell (c), Muhammad Abbas, Mitchell Hay (w), Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, William O’Rourke.