Published: Dec 21, 2014, 04:36 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 21, 2014, 04:42 PM (IST)
The One-day International (ODI) series between Pakistan and New Zealand drew to close with New Zealand winning the closely-contested series 3-2. Pramod Ananth looks back at how it all unfolded.
New Zealand came into the 50—over series after losing 2-0 against South Africa at home. This series was important for them to bounce back and on the other hand, Pakistan would have wanted to win the series to carry the momentum into the ICC World Cup 2015.
The series started on a very lively note with the very first match going down to the wire. Ross Taylor’s 10th One-Day International (ODI) century had propelled New Zealand to a respectable 246 for seven in their 50 overs. This was Taylor’s third consecutive century in ODIs. Needing 247 runs to win, Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals. It was Haris Sohail’s unbeaten knock of 85 and Shahid Afridi’s composed 61 that managed to get Pakistan just over the line. They won the match by three wickets, with three balls to spare. This set the pace for the rest of the series.
New Zealand responded immediately with a four wicket victory at Sharjah four days later. New Zealand were chasing this time and needed 253 to level the series. Mohammad Hafeez top-scored for Pakistan with 76 at the top of the order. Dean Brownlie and Anton Devcich put on a 100-run stand for the opening wicket with Devcich making 58 and Brownlie falling for 47. Kane Williamson coming in at No. 3 stole the show with a mature 70. With the support of Luke Ronchi down the order, New Zealand cruised home with four overs to spare. The third ODI was played at the same venue couple of days later.
After getting out for a duck in the previous ODI, Ahmed Shehzad exploded with a magnificent century. He scored 113 from 120 balls and was supported with handy knocks by everybody. Afridi played a superb innings as he made 55 from just 26 balls and a late onslaught by Sarfraz Ahmed ensured that Pakistan reached a mammoth 364/7. Needing 365 to win, New Zealand suffered a major setback when both the openers were sent back to the pavilion within the first five overs. After that, the Kiwis lost wickets at regular intervals and never looked like getting close to the target. They eventually lost the match by 147 runs, with Afridi and Sohail decimating the opposition with 3 wickets apiece. Pakistan took a 2-1 lead and needed just one more win to seal the series.
The action then shifted to Abu Dhabi, where New Zealand needed to win the match to stay alive in the series. They didn’t disappoint as their openers got them off to a brisk start. It was then the captain Williamson, who stepped it up by reaching his fourth century of his career. He finished with 123 from 105, which made sure New Zealand finished with 299 for five. Pakistan yet again got off to a bad start losing Shehzad in the very first over, again for a duck. Younis Khan scored his seventh ODI century and along with Afridi, Pakistan looked on course to win the match but both of them got out in quick succession. Their dismissal ended Pakistan’s hopes of winning the match. Anwar Ali and Sohail Tanvir made sure that the match went till the last over but eventually fell short by seven runs. The series was level at 2-2 and the decider will be played at Abu Dhabi.
It all came down to the final ODI. Skipper Williamson won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first. Despite losing an early wicket, Williamson and Brownlie were involved in a 66-run partnership which was then followed by a hundred run stand between Williamson and Taylor.
Williamson missed out on yet another ton by three runs as he was dismissed on 97. Ross Taylor remained unbeaten till the end on 88 and a quickfire 22 by Tom Latham made sure that New Zealand reached 275/4. In reply, Pakistan lost Nasir Jamshed in the very first over. Younis Khan too went soon after that. Pakistan were reduced to 38/3 in the 13th over. Pakistan still had a glimmer of hope when Ahmed Shehzad and Haris Sohail were there in the middle. The pair put on a 69 run stand for the fourth wicket. Shehzad went for 54 and was soon followed by Sohail for 65. The lower order did not contribute much as Pakistan were bowled out for 207 in the 44th over. New Zealand won the fifth ODI by 68 runs and also won the series 3-2.
(Pramod Ananth is a reporter at CricketCoutry. He has represented Karnataka table tennis under-15 and a hardcore supporter of Liverpool FC. He can be followed at @pramz)
