In a thrilling warm-up match for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, Kane Williamson’s heroics led New Zealand to a remarkable victory over Pakistan. The New Zealand skipper, who was making his first appearance since March due to a knee injury, scored an unbeaten 54, guiding his team to successfully chase down Pakistan’s challenging total of 345. This win was an impressive boost for New Zealand, even though Williamson won’t be available for their opening game against England.
The match took place in Hyderabad, where Williamson showcased his class and composure. His time in the middle against Pakistan proved invaluable as he looked in fine form. Besides Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, and Mark Chapman also played crucial roles, each crossing the 50-run mark during the chase.
The key to success on the first day of warm-up action seemed to be batting second. Bangladesh also managed a successful run chase, pursuing 263 to defeat Sri Lanka by seven wickets. However, the scheduled match between Afghanistan and South Africa was abandoned without a single ball being bowled.
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Pakistan entered the game with confidence, boasting five wins from their eight One-Day International matches against New Zealand this year. They made an excellent start with the bat, despite losing Imam-ul-Haq for just one run early in the innings. Captain Babar Azam and wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan forged a remarkable 114-run partnership for the third wicket.
Babar Azam, the more controlled of the duo, maintained a run rate of just under a run per ball, accumulating 80 runs off 84 deliveries before getting dismissed by Mitchell Santner. Mohammad Rizwan continued his excellent form, scoring a brilliant 103 from 94 balls. Their efforts were complemented by Saud Shakeel’s explosive 53-ball 75, which included four sixes, and Agha Salman’s unbeaten 33, guiding Pakistan to a total of 345/5.
New Zealand initially struggled, losing opening batsman Devon Conway for a duck. However, they made an astonishing recovery with Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson forming a crucial partnership of 179 runs for the second wicket. Williamson, not fielding due to his ongoing fitness recovery, retired after scoring 54 runs. Daryl Mitchell followed suit after a half-century, contributing a vital 59 off 57 balls.
Ravindra was the linchpin of New Zealand’s innings, displaying his flair with a brisk 97 off just 72 deliveries, featuring 16 boundaries. Mark Chapman’s unbeaten 65 played a pivotal role in steering New Zealand to victory.
