KARACHI , May 3, 2023: Imam ul Haq’s enterprising 107-ball 90 and Babar Azam’s clinical 62-ball 54 steered Pakistan to 287-6 against New Zealand in the third ODI in Karachi on Wednesday.
Pakistan suffered from early blow, when Fakhar Zaman (19) – who is in sublime form in the series – was flummoxed by Matt Henry. But it was the brilliant 108-run partnership off 121 balls between Babar Azam and Imamul Haq that paved way for the home side to put decent total on board.
Mohammad Rizwan (32), Agha Salman (31) also showed some significant resistance with the bat, before Shadab Khan played unconquered cameo of 12-ball 21, lacing with one boundary and two sixes.
Matt Henry (3-54) spearheaded New Zealand with the bowl and bagged three wickets. Henry was ably supported by Adam Milne (2-56), who scooped up two wickets. Cole McConchie delivered economical spell, conceding merely 46 runs and picking up an important wicket.
Henry Shipley was wicketless and turned out to be costly, conceding 73 runs. Ish Sodhi also remained wicketless and conceded 56.
Earlier, New Zealand have won the toss and decided to bowl first against Pakistan in the third ODI of five-match series today.
The remaining two matches of the 5 one-day match series between green shirts and kiwis are also scheduled in Karachi. This series is being viewed as a tough test for Babar-XI before the Asia Cup and World Cup.
It should be noted that the national team has won both matches of the one-day series played so far and needs one more victory to ace the series.
Pakistan had achieved the target of 289 runs on 5 wickets in the first one-day match and won the second match by achieving the target of 337 runs on a loss of only 3 wickets, National team is leading the series 0-2.