New Zealand vs Pakistan: ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 – as it happened
New Zealand and Pakistan faced off in a crucial Cricket World Cup match on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, India. With both teams needing a win to stay in contention for a semi-final spot, the stakes were high.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to field, and they made a strong start by reducing New Zealand to 50/2 in the 11th over. However, Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra then put on a magnificent partnership of 246 runs for the third wicket to put New Zealand back in control.
Williamson scored a brilliant 95, while Ravindra made a career-best 108, and they both fell just short of centuries. New Zealand eventually finished on a mammoth 401/6, their highest score in a World Cup match.
Pakistan's chase got off to a flying start, with Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam putting on a 159-run partnership for the first wicket. However, New Zealand took three wickets in quick succession to slow down Pakistan's progress.
Mohammad Rizwan and Asif Ali then put on a 100-run partnership to keep Pakistan in the hunt, but they were eventually bowled out for 380 in the 49th over, 21 runs short of the target.
New Zealand's innings
New Zealand's innings was built around the partnership between Williamson and Ravindra. The pair showed great patience and discipline to build a solid foundation for their team. They also rotated the strike well and punished the loose deliveries.
Williamson was particularly impressive in his knock. He played a number of elegant strokes, and he was also able to accelerate the scoring rate in the later stages of the innings.
Ravindra also played a superb innings. He showed great maturity and composure, and he was able to convert his 50 into a century. He also hit some big shots towards the end of his innings, which helped New Zealand to post a huge total.
Pakistan's chase
Pakistan's chase got off to a perfect start, with Zaman and Azam playing some aggressive cricket. The pair took advantage of the fielding restrictions in the early overs, and they raced to a century partnership in just 19 overs.
However, New Zealand took three wickets in quick succession to slow down Pakistan's progress. Zaman was dismissed for 95, Azam for 78, and Iftikhar Ahmed for 0, and Pakistan were suddenly reeling at 160/3.
Rizwan and Ali then put on a 100-run partnership to keep Pakistan in the hunt. Rizwan played a particularly sensible knock, while Ali provided the impetus with some big hits.
However, New Zealand eventually sealed the victory by taking three wickets in the last four overs. Ali was dismissed for 84, Rizwan for 62, and Shaheen Afridi for 4, and Pakistan were bowled out for 380 in the 49th over.
Conclusion
New Zealand's victory was a well-deserved one. They batted superbly to post a huge total, and they then bowled and fielded well to restrict Pakistan.
Pakistan will be disappointed with their performance, but they can still qualify for the semi-finals if they win their remaining matches.
Key takeaways from the match:
New Zealand batted brilliantly to post their highest score in a World Cup match.
Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra put on a magnificent partnership of 246 runs for the third wicket.
Pakistan made a strong start to their chase, but they were eventually bowled out for 21 runs short of the target.
Mohammad Rizwan and Asif Ali put on a 100-run partnership to keep Pakistan in the hunt, but they were eventually dismissed in quick succession.
New Zealand sealed the victory by taking three wickets in the last four overs.