New Zealand overcome an average Pakistan side by 5 Wickets in the Warm-up match of the ICC Cricket World Cup held in India, Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson Stand Out at Hyderabad.
New Zealand Stamp Their Authority
New Zealand came out guns blazing against Pakistan in the 2nd innings of the match as they chased down a total of 346 runs. Pakistan had a strong first innings as they won the toss and elected to bat first. The Pakistani’s put up a total of 345 runs on the scoreboard with New Zealand needing 346 runs to chase it down in the second innings.
The five-wicket victory over Pakistan that New Zealand had to chase down featured several positives. Kane Williamson’s fifty upon his return from a protracted injury layoff will be among the highlights. New Zealand will be happy to have its captain back among the runs, despite the fact that he will miss the World Cup’s opening encounter on October 5.
Opening the batting, Rachin Ravindra hit a magnificent 97, while Daryl Mitchell added a reliable 50. The Pakistani bowlers were then utterly destroyed by Mark Chapman and James Neesham, who brought the match to a close with 38 balls remaining.
New Zealand Boom as Pakistan’s Bowling Woe’s Continue
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Pakistan was dealt two blows by the two openers. The middle phase was then dominated by a 114-run stand between Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Rizwan persisted and eventually reached his hundred before retiring out while Babar was discharged on 80.
Starting at position five, Saud Shakeel increased the stakes throughout his innings and received immense support in Agha Salman. Pakistan maintained their focus and were able to record a massive total thanks to Shakeel’s 75.
In Shaheen Afridi’s absence, Pakistan’s bowling was toothless because he did not enter the field and instead watched the match from the sidelines. Although Hasan Ali bowled a tight first spell, he erred in line and length in his second and ended up going at 8.60 runs per over in his 7.4 overs. Haris Rauf was taken for 36 in his four overs.
Usama Mir, the other leg-spinner on the team, picked up two wickets but was pricey in the beginning, and Shadab Khan also failed to roll his arm over. For the Pakistan bowling attack, which will have to play two games in Hyderabad during the World Cup Opener, there are still many unsolved questions.
New Zealand’s Opening Batsman Rachin Ravindra Stars
The BlackCaps lost Devon Conway in the second over itself and a certain stability was needed to chase down aa score of 346. Rachin Ravindra stepped up along with Kane Williamson to stabilise the pressure that had build upon them due to an early wicket.
Will Young was replaced at the top of the order by Ravindra, giving the team’s management a second opening option in addition to Devon Conway, who played just one ball throughout the difficult run chase.
The surprise package for the Kiwis, who needed to win by 346 runs, was southpaw and opener Rachin Ravindra (97, 72b, 16×4, 1×6). He played some incredible strokes on either side of the wicket.
Later, the experienced Kane Williamson, who surprised many with his strokeplay and swift running between the wickets after being earlier ruled out of the World Cup opener, and Daryl Mitchell scored half-centuries before retiring.
New Zealand was starting to veer off course. The trio of James Neesham, Mark Chapman, and Daryl Mitchell surged into overdrive and successfully led New Zealand over the finish line with their entertaining knocks.
