New Zealand defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the ICC World Cup 2023 warm-up game, led by Rachin Ravindra’s 97 and half-centuries from returning Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, and Mark Chapman.
New Zealand beat Pakistan in warm-up match: Mohammad Rizwan’s incredible century, followed by half-centuries from captain Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel, helped Pakistan, who chose to bat first, set a huge total on the board.
However, Pakistan’s innings got off to a very different start, as they lost both of their openers, Imam-ul-Haq (1) and Abdullah Shafique (14) within the first 12 overs, with just 46 runs total.
After a slow start, Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan steadied the batting as they put together an outstanding 114-run partnership.
Before Mitchell Santner finally removed the Pakistan skipper in the 30th over, Babar controlled the third-wicket partnership and scored quickly.
Babar was dismissed for an 84-ball 80, which featured eight boundaries and two sixes, leaving him 20 runs shy of his century.
But Rizwan stood his ground and soon secured another crucial alliance for Pakistan with Saud Shakeel.
Before finally retiring in the 40th over after scoring his century, the pair contributed 78 runs to the total.
With a superb 103-run innings in just 94 deliveries that included nine boundaries and two sixes, he maintained his position as Pakistan’s leading run-scorer.
After Rizwan left, Saud Shakeel stood up for his group and added quickly to Pakistan’s score in the back end.
On his way to a 53-ball 75, he hit four sixes and five boundaries.
In addition to Saud, Salman Ali Agha (33* off 23) and Shadab Khan (16 off 11) contributed significant runs for Pakistan, who finished against New Zealand at a massive 345/5.
The best bowler for New Zealand was Mitchell Santner, who picked up two wickets. Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, and James Neesham each claimed one victim.