New Zealand beat Pakistan in rain-affected second ODI

By
Faizan Lakhani
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Martin Guptill stayed not out at 86 and Ross Taylor at 45

Three half-centuries including a late charge by Hasan Ali and Shadab Khan went in vain as New Zealand hunted down D/L revised target of 151 with seven balls to spare in the second one-day international in Nelson on Tuesday.

Fifties by Mohammad Hafeez, Hasan Ali and Shadab Khan carried Pakistan to 246 for nine batting first against New Zealand. 

However, rain interrupted the match, reducing the second inning to 25 overs and revising down the target to 151.

Martin Guptill stayed not out at 86 and Ross Taylor at 45.

Mohammad Amir had Colin Munro caught in the deep for duck. Faheem Ashraf extinguished skipper Kane Williamson's inning at 19 before rain stopped the match. 

Earlier, Mohammad Hafeez hit a solid 60, the 33rd ODI half-century for the veteran right-hander as he held the first half of the innings together.

Hasan then blasted his first 50 and Khan his second when they mounted a rescue mission with Pakistan 141 for seven in the 37th over.

The pair featured in a 70-run stand off 49 deliveries for the eighth wicket.

It was Sarfraz Ahmed´s call to bat when he won the toss, saying it looked like a wicket that would favour the side having first use of it.

But just as in the first ODI in Wellington on Saturday, the Pakistan top order were not allowed to settle.

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.

Lockie 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.

Hasan Ali celebrates his fifty/Getty Images 

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.

With Pakistan on the ropes, Shadab Khan and Hasan stepped up, cracking 21 off an Astle over as they upped the tempo.

Ferguson was the chief wicket-taker for New Zealand, with three for 39.

Shadab Khan plays a pull shot/AFP

New Zealand now lead the five-match ODI series 2-0.

Earlier, a statement from Pakistan team management announced that Fakhar Zaman was ruled out of the match due to contusion to his thigh.

“During the first ODI in Wellington Fakhar Zaman sustained a contusion to his right thigh while fielding. He was assessed after the match and was diagnosed as having a contusion of the right thigh. He has been receiving treatment and was reassessed early in the morning. However he is not 100% match fit and will not be playing in the second ODI in Nelson", said the statement quoting Pakistan team physiotherapist.

Playing XI

Pakistan: Azhar Ali, Imam ul Haq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (capt/wk), Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Rumman Raees

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (capt), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham (wk), Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult

Additional reporting from AFP