New Zealand grab 8-wicket win in second rain-hit ODI against Pakistan

Published January 9, 2018
New Zealand's Martin Guptill (R) and Ross Taylor walk from the field as the rain falls during the second ODI between New Zealand and Pakistan. — AFP
New Zealand's Martin Guptill (R) and Ross Taylor walk from the field as the rain falls during the second ODI between New Zealand and Pakistan. — AFP
The covers lay on the field as the rain falls during the second ODI match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Saxton Oval in Nelson. — AFP
The covers lay on the field as the rain falls during the second ODI match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Saxton Oval in Nelson. — AFP
Hasan Ali (R) celebrates his 50 runs with exuberant team mate Shadab Khan (C) during the second ODI between New Zealand and Pakistan. — AFP
Hasan Ali (R) celebrates his 50 runs with exuberant team mate Shadab Khan (C) during the second ODI between New Zealand and Pakistan. — AFP

Martin Guptill belted New Zealand to an eight-wicket win over Pakistan in a rain-shortened second one-day international in Nelson on Tuesday.

Guptill blasted 55 off 31 balls after the rain break to be unbeaten on 86 as New Zealand reached their revised target of 151 in 25 overs with seven balls to spare.

Pakistan, boosted by a late run charge from Hasan Ali and Shadab Khan, made 246 for nine in their 50 overs and New Zealand were 64 for two after 14 overs in reply when the rain set in.

Under the Duckworth-Lewis revision, New Zealand had 11 overs to make a further 87 runs when play resumed.

Guptill's whirlwind knock included five fours and five sixes while Ross Taylor, keen to yield the strike in their 104-run stand, had only four boundaries in his 45 off 43 deliveries.

Pakistan did have early success with the ball, removing Colin Munro in the first over without scoring and Kane Williamson for 19 to have New Zealand at two for 47 in the 10th over.

But the Pakistan bowlers were not allowed to settle when the weather cleared as Guptill and Taylor pounded the boundaries.

After Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat they recovered from an early collapse they recovered to reach 246 on the back of half centuries by Mohammad Hafeez (60), Shadab Khan (52) and Hasan Ali (51).

Mohammad Hafeez held the first half of the innings together while Hasan and Shadab mounted a late rescue mission when Pakistan were 141 for seven.

The pair featured in a 70-run partnership off 49 deliveries for the eighth wicket which included 21 off one over by Todd Astle.

Imam-ul-Haq, in for the injured Fakhar Zaman, was out for two in the fourth over and Azhar Ali followed five balls later for six.

Lochie Ferguson reduced Pakistan to 39 for three when he entered the attack in the 11th over and immediately had Babar Azam (10) edging a ball to Ross Taylor at first slip.

Shoaib Malik, frustrated at being pinned down by Todd Astle, tried to hit the legspinner out of the park only to be caught at long on for 27.

Sarfraz Ahmed was stumped on three when he went down the wicket to Astle and Hafeez lost his wicket dancing down the pitch to Mitchell Santner.

The left-arm spinner picked the move and sent down a short, wide delivery which Hafeez hit to Martin Guptill at short cover.

Shadab Khan and Hasan stepped up, cracking 21 off an Astle over as they upped the tempo, however, the damage was done by that time.

Lochie Ferguson was New Zealand's chief wicket-taker with three for 39.

New Zealand now lead the five-match series 2-0 with game three in Dunedin on Saturday.

Opinion

From hard to harder

From hard to harder

Instead of ‘hard state’ turning even harder, citizens deserve a state that goes soft on them in delivering democratic and development aspirations.

Editorial

Canal unrest
Updated 03 Apr, 2025

Canal unrest

With rising water scarcity in Indus system, it is crucial to move towards a consensus-driven policymaking process.
Iran-US tension
03 Apr, 2025

Iran-US tension

THE Trump administration’s threats aimed at Iran do not bode well for global peace, and unless Washington changes...
Flights to history
03 Apr, 2025

Flights to history

MOHENJODARO could have been the forgotten gold we desperately need. Instead, this 5,000-year-old well of antiquity ...
Eid amidst crises
Updated 31 Mar, 2025

Eid amidst crises

Until the Muslim world takes practical steps to end these atrocities, these besieged populations will see no joy.
Women’s rights
Updated 01 Apr, 2025

Women’s rights

Such judgements, and others directly impacting women’s rights should be given more airtime in media.
Not helping
Updated 02 Apr, 2025

Not helping

If it's committed to peace in Balochistan, the state must draw a line between militancy and legitimate protest.