3rd ODI, Karachi, May 03, 2023, 04:00 PM
Pakistan
287/6(50.0ov)
New Zealand
261/10(49.1ov)
Pakistan beat New Zealand by 26 runs
That is it from this game then! Still two more ODIs to go. New Zealand will be looking for a win whereas, Pakistan would want to inflict a whitewash. The next game will be played on 5th of this month. That game will begin at 1600 IST (1030 GMT). The build-up begins a lot earlier. Till then, goodbye and take care!
Babar Azam says he is very pleased, reckons the wicket was slow and the batters did a really good job. Mentions they were aiming for 260 but they crossed 280 which was great. States the way Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz bowled was really good and Agha Salman was also impressive. Ends by saying they have tried different combinations and they are looking which could be the best and they will look to continue the good performance.
Tom Latham says they were happy till the halfway mark but they just could not get going in the middle overs. Adds the openers were good but they could not continue the momentum and you need back-to-back stands when chasing such a big score. Adds Cole McConchie was really good with both bat and ball and those are some positives.
Imam-ul-Haq says the wicket was slow and they knew 280-290 was going to be a good score. States they knew they need a partnership as it was not going to be easy for the new batters. Adds they know 260 to 270 would have been a good score but they were very happy with what they got. Ends by saying they are very pleased with the win.
... TIME FOR PRESENTATION ...
The Pakistan bowlers were not at their best with the new ball, the leaked far too many runs, they were quite wayward with their deliveries and that helped the Kiwis get off to a flier. However, the spiiners were very tidy in between. They built the pressure and the pacers came back strongly later on. All three took two wickets each. Actually, more than the bowling, it was the two excellent run outs which changed the game for the hosts.
Another win for Pakistan and they have sealed the series with two games to go! New Zealand will feel they should have done better here. They were in a really good position at one time. Their openers got them off to a really good start. Tom Blundell played brilliantly for his half ton. Will Young, Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham got off to starts but none went onto make it into something significant. The middle order failed to adapt to the slow surface of the wicket. Cole McConchie was the only one who kept the fight going with a fine half ton but it was too much of an ask from him. In the end, they have fallen short.
In over# 50
1W
Naseem Shah 42/2(8.1)
49.1
W
OUT! THAT IS THE END OF THE GAME! Pakistan win by 26 runs! On middle, this is hit down towards long on. They take one and go for the second. The throw is to the bowler who whips the bails off. The dive does not help him make it in.
In over# 49
1
1
0W
1
4
0
Shaheen Afridi 53/2(9)
48.6
1
Just the one! He keeps strike. 27 needed in the last over!
48.5
1
On off, this is pushed down to long off for one.
48.4
W
OUT! TIMBER! That is too good, especially for someone batting so low down the order. A yorker on off, Ish Sodhi looks to jam it out but fails to do so and it hits the stumps.
48.3
1
On off, this is lofted down towards long off for one.
48.2
4
FOUR! Need a lot more of these! On middle, fuller, this is dragged wide of mid on and into the fence.
48.1
.
Another dot! Outside off, Cole McConchie moves in and swings but no connection.
In over# 48
1
1wd
0
4
1
0
0W
Naseem Shah 41/2(8)
47.6
1
On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.
47.6
1wd
WIDE! Down the leg side. Wided.