Twitter Reactions: New Zealand down Pakistan despite Iftikhar Ahmed's fighting knock in Karachi

Pakistan went down fighting in the fifth and final ODI of the series against New Zealand in Karachi as the visitors managed to avoid the embarrassment of a whitewash against the Asian side. Although the Kiwis won the game comfortably in the end after posting a solid total of 299 runs, the match wasn't short of drama by any means.

Tom Latham's side batted first in the contest in hopes of avoiding a demoralizing whitewash against the hosts in Karachi. The visitors, to their credit, made a strong start in the series finale despite losing Tom Blundell cheaply inside the first ten overs as Will Young enhanced his reputation in white-ball cricket with a well compiled 87 off 91 balls. 

Latham's assured half-century, coupled with Mark Chapman's aggression pushed the Balckcaps into a commanding position. However, Shaheen Afridi's brilliant second spell pulled things back for the hosts as the Kiwis lost their way in the death overs to finish with 299 runs, failing to play out their full quota of 50 overs. 

Iftikhar Ahmed left stranded in a tense finish

Pakistan, in their reply, were bogged down by the New Zealand quicks in the powerplay, which resulted in two quick wickets, including the prized scalp of Pakistani skipper Babar Azam. Mohammad Rizwan and an in-form Fakhar Zaman were next to depart as the visitors asserted their dominance with the ball.

But the home side fought their way back into the series finale after a combative 97-run stand for the fifth wicket between Iftikhar Ahmed and Agha Salman. However, Latham's side kept chipping away at the wickets after Salman's dismissal. 

Iftikhar waged a lone battle with a blistering 94 off just 72 deliveries, but just when it looked like the match was heading for a thrilling finale, Haris Rauf was run out while going for a risky second run, handing the Blackcaps their first and only victory of the ODI series.

CricTracker@Cricketracker

New Zealand defeats Pakistan in the fifth ODI by 47 runs and lose the top spot in the ICC ODI rankings. #PAKvsNZ #IftikharAhmed #PakistanCricket #Blackcaps

12:10 AM · May 08, 2023

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Pakistan Cricket@TheRealPCB

Congratulations boys on winning the ODI series 4️⃣-1️⃣ 🇵🇰🙌 #PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak

11:57 PM · May 07, 2023

3K259

Nawaz 🇵🇰@Rnawaz31888

Pakistan Cricket Fans Missing Kiwi Captain Kane Williamson in this tour. Cricket fans in Lahore, Pindi and now Karachi are missing Kane. twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

06:52 PM · May 07, 2023

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Shaharyar Ejaz 🏏@SharyOfficial

The disappointment on his face explains the story he fought. We needed one responsible partnership with him😭🙃.#PakvNZ #NZvsPAK #NZvPAK #PAKvsNZ #IftiMania #iftikharahmed

11:58 PM · May 07, 2023

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MANO 💕@miss_cricket_

HE MADE EVERY POSSIBLE EFFORT TO RETAIN PCT'S NO.1 ODI POSITION 🥲💔 #PAKvsNZ

11:50 PM · May 07, 2023

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Mary Marouf@Cricket_istic

Naseem being a meme 😭 #NaseemShah #PAKvsNZ

06:07 PM · May 07, 2023

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Muhammad Noman@nomanedits

It's ok Chacha, you are playing the WorldCup 🔥 #IftiMania #PakvNz #PAKvsNZ

11:52 PM · May 07, 2023

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Umar Akmal@Umar96Akmal

Congratulations to @TheRealPCB winning ODI Series 4-1and a big thank to @BLACKCAPS touring Pakistan .

12:24 AM · May 08, 2023

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Kamran Akmal@KamiAkmal23

Congratulations Team Pakistan @TheRealPCB for winning the ODI series 4-1..Even though lost the last match but still well played..Amazing 94 off 72 balls by @IftiMania and 57 by @SalmanAliAgha1 Very good partnership between these two..Well bowled @iShaheenAfridi #NZvsPAK twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

11:59 PM · May 07, 2023

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Pakistan Cricket@TheRealPCB

Congratulations @BLACKCAPS on winning the fifth ODI and touring Pakistan for the white-ball matches. It was a pleasure hosting you and we wish you a safe travel home. #PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak

12:10 AM · May 08, 2023

1.1K50