Fakhar Zaman Hits Third Successive Ton As Pakistan Beat New Zealand

Fakhar Zaman smashed a 3rd consecutive century to information Pakistan to a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand within the second one-day worldwide on Saturday. The 33-year-old left-handed opener hit an undefeated 180 off 144 balls for his tenth ODI hundred. It adopted his 117 within the first match and 101 in opposition to the identical opponents in January as Pakistan chased a stiff 337-run goal in 48.2 overs. The win provides Pakistan a 2-0 lead within the five-match sequence with the final three matches in Karachi on May 3, 5 and seven.

Along with Zaman, skipper Babar Azam hit a brisk 66-ball 65 and Mohammad Rizwan a 41-ball 54 not out as Pakistan achieved their second highest profitable ODI chase behind 349 in opposition to Australia in Lahore final 12 months.

New Zealand have been guided to 336-5 by a second successive hundred for Daryl Mitchell, who made 129, Tom Latham’s 98 and 51 by Chad Bowes.

Zaman is the twelfth batsman to attain three or extra a whole lot in consecutive ODIs with Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara the one man to hit 4 on the trot. Azam has achieved the feat twice.

When on 98, Zaman joined West Indian Shai Hope because the second quickest to three,000 ODI runs in 67 innings. South African Hashim Amla is the quickest to the milestone in 57.

Once Imam-ul-Haq fell for twenty-four with the staff’s whole at 66, Zaman and Azam added 135 for the second wicket and even the autumn of Azam and Abdullah Shafique (seven) didn’t derail Pakistan’s chase.

Azam hit 5 boundaries and a six in his twenty fifth ODI fifty.

“It was my lucky day to score again against New Zealand as I got chances,” stated Zaman.

“I try to take my time at the start and then with five players in the circle it becomes easier to score.”

Visiting skipper Latham described Zaman as “outstanding”.

“We were very happy at the halfway mark,” stated Latham. “Fakhar played an outstanding knock. They were able to build partnerships and that was a big tick in the batting department.”

– Mitchell within the runs –

Zaman, who smoked six sixes and 17 fours, accomplished the chase with Rizwan in an unbroken fourth wicket stand of 119.

New Zealand rued dropping Zaman on 55 when Mark Chapman grassed a catch off James Neesham.

Earlier, Mitchell improved on his 113 within the first ODI on Thursday with a 119-ball knock after New Zealand have been despatched in to bat.

Mitchell smashed three sixes and eight boundaries and consolidated the innings by a third-wicket stand of 183 with skipper Latham, because the pair took full benefit of a flat pitch.

Mitchell was lastly caught brilliantly by Mohammad Nawaz off pacer Naseem Shah within the forty sixth over, whereas Latham was caught behind off Haris Rauf an over later.

It was Naseem who gave Mitchell an additional life 4 wanting his hundred when he dropped a easy catch off spinner Usama Mir at mid-on.

That allowed Mitchell to finish his hundred off 102 balls — the third of his ODI profession.

Latham hit eight boundaries and a six off 85 balls.

Bowes and Will Young gave New Zealand a 33-run begin earlier than pacer Rauf had Young caught behind for 19 within the sixth over.

Bowes, who hit seven boundaries in his maiden ODI half century, steadied the innings with Mitchell because the pair added 86 for the second wicket.

It was Rauf once more who broke the stand when he trapped Bowes leg earlier than wicket within the nineteenth over. Rauf was the decide of bowlers with 4-78.

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