HYDERABAD: In an exciting warm-up match for the ODI World Cup held at the iconic Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, New Zealand secured a comfortable 5-wicket victory over Pakistan while successfully chasing down a target of 346 runs.
The match was a thrilling encounter with both teams displaying their prowess, setting the stage for an exhilarating showdown in the upcoming World Cup.
All-rounder Rachin Ravindra emerged as the star of the day, showcasing remarkable batting skills by scoring a scintillating 97 runs from just 72 deliveries. His outstanding innings laid a solid foundation for New Zealand’s successful pursuit of the challenging target set by Pakistan.
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first, with the New Zealand national cricket team managing to restrict them to a total of 345 runs for the loss of 5 wickets within their allocated 50 overs.
Pakistan’s innings featured a standout performance by Mohammad Rizwan, who contributed 103 runs before retiring. Babar Azam also played a significant role with 80 runs, while Saud Shakeel added crucial runs with his innings of 75.
It’s noteworthy that all 15 players in the Pakistan squad were available for the warm-up match.
New Zealand’s captain, Kane Williamson, who had recently recovered from a knee injury, opted to focus solely on his batting in this match. However, he is expected to field against South Africa in another warm-up match.
