Hosts Pakistan lost the three-match ODI series after facing a two-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the third and final ODI at the National Stadium in Karachi on Friday.
Defending a competitive target of 281, the Green Team managed to pick eight wickets of the Black Caps but could not prevent them from reaching the finishing line. For the tourists, middle-order batter Glenn Phillips starred with an unbeaten 63 off 42 (4 sixes and 4 fours), while captain Kane Williamson (53) and Devon Conway (52) also hit half-centuries at the top of the order.
Earlier, left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman smashed his 8th ODI ton, while wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan scored a steady half-century as Pakistan posted 280 runs on the board after losing nine wickets. Zaman scored 101 (122), and his teammate Rizwan chipped in with a valuable 77 off 74 balls as Pakistan lost the wickets of Shan Masood and Babar Azam early.
In the post-match presentation ceremony, Pakistan skipper Babar revealed why his team lost in the series decider.
“We were 20 runs, when Rizwan and Fakhar played it looked like we’d touch 300. But when wickets fall, it is difficult for new batters. Lots of soft dismissals and we were 20-30 runs short,” he said.
The 28-year-old also admitted that his side could have done better as a bowling unit, especially in the death overs.
“We were expecting more turn than we got. But spinners played their role. But we couldn’t quite execute in the last 10 overs with the ball,” he added.
Here’s the video of Babar Azam’s dismissal:
Another disappointment for G.O.A.T🐐 @babarazam258 gone just for 4(13)
Credit: Sony sports #BabarAzam𓃵 #BabarAzam #PakvsNZ #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/Kwtjyv0lRM
— CricFever (@CricFever_) January 13, 2023
The two teams played a two-match Test series before the ODI leg. Both the games ended in a draw with Babar’s men surviving a defeat twice due to bad light.
