Pakistan scored 280/9 in 50 overs in the final ODI against New Zealand in Karachi. Had they chosen to bat in the series decider, Pakistan would have had that score early in the innings, but looked good to break the 300-run mark halfway through.Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Rizwan took a quick stance for 154 runs for the third wicket, but New Zealand stormed after breaking their stance, before Agha Salman had the final touch for 43-ball 45.
Pakistan did not get off to the best start when Rocky Ferguson sacked Shan Massoud in the second over of the innings to take the second ball. Babar Azam needed him 10 balls to open an account, but Zaman on the other side looked good from the start. Kane Williamson’s decision to introduce a spin in the game’s 7th over proved a masterstroke when Michael Brakwell struck Babber in the third delivery.
On 21/2, the hosts desperately needed a partnership to stabilize their innings and got one in the form of Zaman and Rizwan. The wicketkeeper batsman swept his third ball for a boundary and Zaman scored two boundaries as Mitchell past Santner on him. First Power After his play, the two batsmen were content to pick a single, but Zaman broke the shackles by drawing some boundaries in front of Tim his Southie. He raised his 50 and looked great when the two raised his 100 on his third wicket. Once established, the line started to flow again and Rizwan pushed Southey off the roof to close to 50 as Zaman beat him in a deep mid-wicket with a six-point lead over Santner. Rizwan then began to find boundaries on a regular basis, batting averages over 100 before failing to read Ish Sodi Googli to give New Zealand a much-needed breakthrough. Visitors benefited from the opening as Zaman was out for the first time on the centenary of his birth. After 40 overs, Pakistan had him 206/4, but Henry Nicholls came in for another run. This time it was to see the back of Haris Sohail.
Salman managed to get upright, but Mohammad Nawaz and he watched Usama Mir fall in rapid succession without leaving an impression. While New Zealand controlled the rate, Salman developed some boundaries to get the team past 275.
Brief scores: Pakistan 280/9 in 50 overs (Fakhar Zaman 101, Mohammad Rizwan 77, Agha Salman 45; Tim Southee 3/56) vs New Zealand.