Pakistan’s chase of 293 has gone from bad to worse as they struggle at 121/8 in 30 overs. With 172 runs still needed from 20 overs, the required run rate has surged to 8.67.
Faheem Ashraf (53* off 62) has shown resilience, bringing up his fifty with three fours and three sixes, but the rest of the batting lineup has collapsed. Akif Javed (8) was the latest to depart, caught by Daryl Mitchell off Jacob Duffy, who now has 3/24.
New Zealand’s bowlers have been relentless, with Ben Sears (3/29) and Duffy leading the attack. Will O’Rourke (1/19) and Nathan Smith (1/28) have also chipped in.
Haris Rauf retired hurt on 3, further denting Pakistan’s hopes. With only Sufiyan Muqeem left to bat, Pakistan faces an improbable task to avoid a heavy defeat.
The top-order collapse left them reeling at 32/5 inside 12 overs, and their struggles continued as Tayyab Tahir (13) became the latest casualty, falling to Nathan Smith in the 21st over. Faheem Ashraf (26*) has shown some resistance, playing with intent, but the mounting required run rate of 7.62 adds to Pakistan’s troubles.
New Zealand’s bowlers have been relentless, maintaining tight lines and exploiting the conditions effectively.
The early collapse saw Abdullah Shafique (1), Babar Azam (1), and Imam-ul-Haq (3) depart within the first six overs, leaving Pakistan in deep trouble at 9/3.
Mohammad Rizwan (5) and Salman Agha (9) attempted to stabilize the innings, but both fell cheaply, with Rizwan edging behind off Ben Sears and Salman dismissed while trying to break the shackles.
Pakistan faces a monumental challenge to turn this innings around. The onus now lies on the lower order to put up a fight and avoid a humiliating defeat.
New Zealand put up a strong total of 292/8 in their 50 overs against Pakistan in the second ODI at Hamilton, setting up an intriguing chase.
The innings was anchored by a brilliant knock from Mitchell Hay, who remained unbeaten on 99 off 78 balls, striking seven fours and seven sixes. He played a crucial role in steadying the innings after New Zealand lost wickets at regular intervals.
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, New Zealand capitalized on the final powerplay, adding 82 runs in the last 10 overs.
Hay’s counterattacking approach ensured the home side finished strongly, despite missing out on what would have been a well-deserved century.
Muhammad Abbas also played a gritty knock of 41 off 66 balls, ensuring the hosts had a solid middle-order contribution.
Earlier in the innings, Nick Kelly’s attacking 31 off 23 balls gave New Zealand a brisk start, while Henry Nicholls (22) and Daryl Mitchell (18) chipped in with valuable runs.
Pakistan’s bowlers had a mixed outing, with Sufiyan Muqeem emerging as the most economical, taking 2/33 in his 10 overs. Mohammad Wasim also claimed two wickets but proved expensive, conceding 78 runs.
Haris Rauf and Akif Javed took one wicket each, but both leaked runs at crucial moments, allowing New Zealand to accelerate in the final overs.
Faheem Ashraf provided a steady bowling performance, picking up one wicket for 46 runs in his quota of 10 overs.
Pakistan also struggled with extras once again, conceding a costly 32 runs, including 20 wides, which further bolstered New Zealand’s total.
The visitors now face a challenging chase of 293 runs to level the series, needing their top order to fire against a disciplined New Zealand bowling attack.
Pakistan won the toss and opt to field first in the second ODI against New Zealand.
Playing XI:
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Akif Javed.
New Zealand: Rhys Mariu, Nick Kelly, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Muhammad Abbas, Mitchell Hay, Nathan Smith, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke.
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