NZ vs PAK, 2nd ODI, Review: Martin Guptill's blitz helps New Zealand win the rain-hit game

New Zealand have defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in the second of the five-match ODI series at Saxton Oval in Nelson on Tuesday. The game was once again marred by rain in the second innings but unlike the first match, it resumed only to be curtailed to 25 overs. The home side though was always comfortable in the chase and doubled their lead comprehensively. However, the visitors were found wanting once again in alien conditions thereby struggling to put up any fight.

Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed called it correctly at the toss and opted to bat first. The hero of the last match for them, Fakhar Zaman, unfortunately, failed to recover from the injury he sustained in the opening game. He was replaced by young Imam Ul Haq, the backup opener in the squad. On the other hand, the hosts went in with an unchanged side.

Top order fails yet again

The fortunes didn’t change for the top order of Pakistan as they continued to struggle against the moving ball. Imam was the first to go with Trent Boult scalping him even as his partner Azhar Ali was pinned in front by Tim Southee. Babar Azam’s endured yet another poor outing and could only score 10 runs leaving his team reeling at 39/3. Though Mohammad Hafeez showed some resilience and notched up a gritty half-century to bail his team out of trouble. But the wickets kept on falling from the other end.

The Men in Green were staring down the barrel at 141/7 when Hasan Ali and Shadab Khan came together. Both played magnificently as the former smashed 51 from just 31 deliveries with 4 fours and as many sixes. Even Shadab played a calculative innings scoring 52 off 68 balls which helped his team post 246/9 in their fifty overs. All the bowlers were amongst the wickets as Lockie Ferguson was both economical and highest wicket-taker with the figures of 3/39.

Guptill blows Pakistan away

Mohammad Amir provided a dream start for his team defending a small total by sending back Colin Munro for a second-ball duck. Martin Guptill then opened his arms and took the advantage of the powerplay overs. But the visitors struck a huge blow as the centurion of the last match was dismissed courtesy a superb catch at point by Shadab. The wicket had brought Pakistan back into the game with the run-rate also going down. This is when the heavens opened up and threatened to wash out the match.

But it relented just in time as New Zealand was set a target of 151 runs in 25 overs. This was the best chance for Sarfraz and his men with the required rate for the home side soaring to 8 runs per over. Though Guptill had other ideas and he slammed as many as five sixes after having a sighter post the break. He was well supported by Ross Taylor as both stitched an unbeaten 104 runs for the third wicket. While Guptill remained not-out on 86 off only 71 cherries, Taylor scored 45* off 43.

Pakistan bowlers didn’t look menacing at all after the first couple of overs from Amir and went down easily. They need to address their batting woes first and improve their fielding which was again below par on the day. The next match would be a must-win encounter for them now as the series is slipping away from them. Expectedly, Guptill was awarded Man of the Match for his exploits in the middle with the bat.

Brief Scores

Pakistan 246/9 after 50 overs (M Hafeez 60, S Khan 52, H Ali 51; L Ferguson 3/39, T Astle 2/50)

New Zealand 151/2 after 23.5 overs (M Guptill 86*, R Taylor 45*; M Amir 1/16)

Result: New Zealand won by 8 wickets (DLS method)

Man of the Match: Martin Guptill

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