Pakistan pulled off an extraordinary win against New Zealand in Bengaluru, securing a 21-run victory via the DLS method. The 35th match of this prestigious tournament was defined by high-scoring action, dramatic twists, and, most notably, Fakhar Zaman’s breathtaking century.
The contest began with New Zealand posting a mammoth total of 401/6 in their allotted 50 overs. Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra were the architects of this formidable total, with Ravindra scoring an impressive third century in the tournament while rejuvenated Williamson missed out on his ton by just five runs. The Kiwis looked poised for a comfortable win with such a challenging target set. Pakistan would have had to beat their current record for highest run chase in a World Cup, being 345 runs against Sri Lanka.
Pakistan’s response, however, was nothing short of exceptional. Despite losing Abdullah Shafique early in the innings, skipper Babar Azam and opening batsman Fakhar Zaman combined to put up a remarkable partnership of 194 runs. Fakhar Zaman’s contribution was truly exceptional as he played an innings for the ages, scoring an unbeaten 126 off just 81 deliveries, smashing 11 sixes and 8 fours. Babar Azam also chipped in with a crucial half-century, providing vital support that Zaman needed.
As Pakistan continued their chase, they maintained an impressive run rate and kept pace with their opponents until a twist of fate intervened. Rain disrupted the game with Pakistan well ahead of the required runs according to the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. At the 25.3-over mark, Pakistan had reached 200 runs for the loss of only one wicket, comfortably ahead of New Zealand’s score at the same stage. This twist of fate handed Pakistan a dramatic victory.
Unsurprisingly, Fakhar Zaman was awarded the “Player of the Match” for his extraordinary batting performance, which ultimately led Pakistan to an unlikely victory. Babar Azam’s valuable contributions should not be overlooked, but it was Zaman’s explosive innings that turned the tide in Pakistan’s favor.
With this stunning win, Pakistan’s hopes of reaching the top four in the tournament remain alive, while New Zealand’s recent string of unfortunate results has put them in a challenging position to qualify for the Semi-Finals. The cricketing world will be buzzing with excitement after witnessing this thrilling clash between two formidable teams.
Chief Scores:
New Zealand – 401 for 6 in 50 Overs (Rachin Ravindra 108, Kane Williamson 95, Glenn Phillips 41, Mohammad Wasim 3 for 60, Ifthikar Ahmed 1 for 55, Hasan Ali 1 for 82)
Pakistan – 200 for 1 in 25.3 Overs (Fakhar Zaman 126*, Babar Azam 66*, Abdullah Shafique 4, Tim Southee 1 for 27, Daryl Mitchell 0 for 1, Mitch Santer 0 for 35)
