PAK vs NZ: Devon Conway, bowlers shine in New Zealand's series-leveling win in Karachi

New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 79 runs in the second ODI despite a fighting half-century from Babar Azam.

By Chaitanya Prakash

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New Zealand Team
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New Zealand Team (Photo Source: ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images)

New Zealand achieved a resounding victory against Pakistan in the second ODI at the National Stadium in Karachi to draw level in the three-match series. The visitors posted a par 261 runs on the board thanks to Devon Conway's fluent century, and his bowlers then completed a clinical performance to thwart the hosts comfortably by 79 runs.

The Pakistani reply was off to a stuttering start after both their openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq were sent packing inside the first four overs of the chase. Although Mohammad Rizwan and his skipper Babar Azam steadied the ship after those early blows, their languid approach kept the Kiwis in the game.

Rizwan fell to a brilliant delivery from Mitchell Santner as the New Zealand spinners started dictating terms in the match. Haris Sohail was trapped in front by the part-time spin of Glenn Phillips, and the Kiwi then sent the dangerous Agha Salman packing with a brilliant direct hit. 

Babar waged a lone war from one end, and it needed a superb bit of glovework from Tom Latham to dismiss the Pakistani skipper in the dying stages of the match. Williamson's decision to play an extra tweaker played dividends as the visitors won the second game by 79 runs to level the three-match series.

New Zealand collapsed after Devon Conway and Kane Williamson's commanding partnership

Earlier in the match, Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to bat first on a Karachi Surface that had plenty of assistance for the slower bowlers. While the pitch was conducive for spin bowling, it was Pakistani fast bowling sensation Naseem Shah, who drew the first blood after dismissing the explosive Finn Allen in the very first over of the match.

However, that was the only joy for the hosts in the early stages of the match as the Kiwis took charge of the proceedings. It was the experienced batting pair of Devon Conway and Kane Williamson who made the Pakistani bowlers toil hard on the field during their mammoth 181-run stand for the second wicket.

Things were looking bleak for the home side before Naseem returned to send back Conway just after he brought his second century in ODIs. From thereon, it was the Mohammad Nawaz show as the left-arm spinner turned the game on its head. Nawaz got rid of the well-set Kiwi skipper, and then went on to scalp the wickets of Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham in quick succession to rattle the New Zealand middle order.

The visitors were not able to recover from there and eventually managed a par total of 261 runs, thanks to some late riposte from Mitchell Santner. Mohammad Nawaz was the star with the ball, grabbing a spectacular four-for to bring his side back in the game.

Here is how Twitter reacted to New Zealand's resounding victory despite Babar Azam's best efforts:

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Pakistan vs New Zealand 2024New ZealandPakistanDevon ConwayBabar AzamKane Williamson