Pakistan clinched a series-levelling win over New Zealand in the second ODI in Abu Dhabi to set up a decider in Dubai on Sunday.
New Zealand’s batsmen let them down at the critical moment before their bowlers let it slip altogether with a loose effort.
Pakistan vs New Zealand | Friday 9 November | Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium | 13:00
To Win Match
Pakistan 57/100
Tie 35/1
New Zealand 14/10
Pakistan
The win over New Zealand was overshadowed by a nasty head injury to Imam Ul Haq who was struck on the grille by a Lockie Ferguson bouncer and taken to hospital. He will undergo scans to determine whether he is fit to face the Black Caps in the series finale.
On a positive note Pakistan will be thrilled with the return to form of Fakhar Zaman, who blew New Zealand away with a run-a-ball 88 when most batsmen were struggling to score. Fakhar has been short of runs of late and the innings is made that much more significant by the looming World Cup.
Another young star on the rise is the teenaged left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi who has been the best bowler of the series so far outshining his more experienced counterparts. The bowling unit is still Pakistan’s real strength.
There is virtually no chance of any rain delays in the desert this weekend and conditions should be ideal for a tough contest. Dubai, like Abu Dhabi has seen most scores above 250 prove unreachable in recent months.
New Zealand
Ross Taylor continues to anchor New Zealand’s performances with the bat but he desperately needs some assistance from the rest of the top order.
Skipper Kane Williamson has been short on runs since the Black Caps got their season underway with this visit to the UAE. As the Black Caps most talented batsman and skipper he will be conscious of the need to make a telling contribution in the series decider.
Ferguson showed good aggression even after inadvertently knocking out Imam but he, like the other quicks, lacked control and allowed Pakistan to cruise to victory after a clinical display with the ball.
Ish Sodhi has been the pick of the Black Caps’ bowlers in the turning conditions, though he’d probably like to have bagged more wickets for his efforts and could have done with some more support from the quicks.
Verdict: Pakistan 57/100
After they levelled the series the momentum is with the designated ‘home’ team even if they aren’t playing on their own patch.
