Published: Feb 03, 2015, 06:36 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 03, 2015, 06:57 PM (IST)
The second and final One-Day International (ODI) between New Zealand and Pakistan at the McLean Park in Napier witnessed the pounding of one bowler — Bilawal Bhatti to be precise. Bhatti’s figures contributed to New Zealand posting a mammoth 369 for five on the board in their quota of 50 overs, before bowling Pakistan out for 250 to complete a 119-run win and a 2-0 series whitewash.
The right-arm medium pacer was subject to heavy ridicule from several quarters after conceding 93 runs, the worst bowling figures recorded in an ODI by a Pakistan bowler.
Following are some of the Twitter posts that were posted in context of Bhatti’s performance during and after the match, some of which included comparisons to Indian bowler Ishant Sharma, who drew similar responses after conceding 30 runs in an over during a one-dayer against Australia in 2013:
Bilawal Bhatti, I know that feel bro. #Maxwell #Pakvaus #Ausvpak #wt20
— Sir Ishant Sharma (@SirIshantSharma) March 23, 2014
Aaj me Bilawal Bhatti ki jersey pehen ke khel rha hu. huehuehuehue #PakvAus #AusvPak #wt20
— Sir Ishant Sharma (@SirIshantSharma) March 23, 2014
Bhatti just kill game, Pakistan World Cup and his career in one over. Biggest suicide attack in Pakistan history. #wt20 #pakvaus
— Nasir Jamshed (@NasirJamshed_) March 23, 2014
Look like Bhatti is most likely Pakistani to score century in this World Cup. #NZvPAK
— Nasir Jamshed (@NasirJamshed_) February 3, 2015
So Bilawal Bhatti is Pakistani Version of Ishant Sharma ? #PakvsNZ #NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/eQ1zQcP72q
— -Ali (@iamSyedAliNaqi) February 3, 2015
Ishant Sharma and Bilawal Bhatti are now friends on facebook. #30Runs #WT20 #AusvPak
— JobWala Scholar™ (@Bakkchod) March 23, 2014
The New Zealand innings was powered by centuries from Kane Williamson (112) and Ross Taylor (102 not out), as well as a gritty 76 by Martin Guptill. The only bowling performance worth noting by Pakistan was that of Mohammad Irfan, who collected two wickets, including that of Williamson, for 52 runs in 10 overs. Pakistan, in reply, were off to a strong start, with Mohammad Hafeez (86) and Ahmed Shehzad (55) slamming half-centuries to guide Pakistan to 173 for two. A sudden flurry of wickets inflicted a blow to the visitors, from which they could not recover as they were bowled out for 250.
