Shaheen Shah Afridi gave the costliest over of his ODI career on the opening match of the tri-nation series between Pakistan and New Zealand at the newly renovated Qaddafi Stadium of Lahore. But still, with the challenge of weather conditions, the visitors successfully set a strong target of 330/6.
New Zealand’s Strong Start After Winning the Toss
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first. Losing a couple of early wickets, though, New Zealand found its recovery at the ease on this batting-friendly pitch as it started scoring enough runs for building up the big total before getting overthrown at the 43rd over by 230/5 runs.
Glenn Phillips Incredible Batting Lifts New Zealand Past 300
Enter Glenn Phillips. The middle-order batter turned the game on its head with a brutal assault in the final overs, pushing New Zealand beyond 300. In the last 5 overs, Pakistan’s bowlers were taken to task, conceding 84 runs—Pakistan’s highest-ever total given away in the final phase of a home ODI.
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Pakistan’s Struggles In The Final Overs
The Pakistan bowlers lost control at the run rate as they were soon down by two of their key bowlers when Haris Rauf got injured. At this time New Zealand pounced on the two key fast bowlers left with them, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi.
Shaheen Afridi’s Expensive Over
Afridi bore the brunt of the attack, conceding 25 runs in his final over, the most expensive he has ever bowled in an ODI. This over saw Phillips reaching his century and shattered Afridi’s previous record of 24 runs conceded against Australia in Hobart last year. Despite taking three wickets, Afridi’s performance was costly as he gave up 88 runs in his 10-over spell.
Naseem Shah Not So Successful Either
Naseem Shah, too, was not very successful, failing to get any wickets and conceding 70 runs in his 10 overs. When Pakistan’s two frontline fast bowlers failed to perform, New Zealand took advantage and ended well.
Glenn Phillips’s Unbeaten Century
Phillips finished an excellent 106* off 74 balls with a fiery finish of 56 runs coming in just 19 balls in the last stages, setting Pakistan an uphill task to chase down a total of 331 runs and win the match.
