Skipper Kane Williamson hit a fighting half-century, while paceman Matt Henry grabbed 4-45 to lead New Zealand to a disciplined four-wicket win over Pakistan in the second one-dayer in Sharjah on Friday.
Williamson scored a 91-ball 70 not out for his 12th fifty — his sixth in his past seven matches — to help New Zealand chase down their 253-run target in 46 overs at the Sharjah Stadium to level the five-match series at 1-1.
However, a modest Williamson preferred to heap praise on his bowling attack, led by Henry.
Photo: AFP
“I think kudos to our bowlers, that was a superb effort on a helpful batting pitch and then when we chased there were useful contributions,” Williamson said.
New Zealand had raced to 103 by the 19th over with Anton Devcich (58) and Dean Brownlie (47) batting solidly against some erratic bowling from the Pakistan pace attack.
However, part-time spin bowler Haris Sohail, who had taken no wickets in his previous five matches, turned the game on its head by dismissing Ross Taylor (2), Tom Latham (3) and Corey Anderson (10) to finish with 3-48.
Leg-spinner Shahid Afridi (2-47) had given Pakistan the breakthrough with Brownlie’s wicket before New Zealand lost five wickets for the addition of just 64 runs.
With 86 needed off 17.3 overs, Williamson added an invaluable 58 runs for the sixth wicket with Luke Ronchi (36).
Even when Afridi dismissed Ronchi, who hit six boundaries in his rapid 32-ball knock, Williamson and Daniel Vettori (13 not out) stayed on course, with the former going on to hit seven boundaries.
Afridi, who led the team after Misbah-ul-Haq injured his hamstring, blamed poor bowling and batting.
“We missed a good chance of posting a big total. We could have scored 280 and then did not bowl well,” Afridi said. “It’s even now and we have to come back in the third match.”
A packed 16,000 holiday crowd at the stadium enjoyed a game in which both teams had their moments.
Earlier, Mohammad Hafeez hit a 92-ball 76 with nine fours and a six, while Misbah chipped in with a 65-ball 47 to rescue Pakistan, who won the toss and batted, from a shaky 20-3 before they were bowled out for 252 in 48.3 overs.
With his position under threat after his suspension over his illegal bowling action, Hafeez struck form in the nick of time as he added 77 for the fourth wicket with Sohail (33) and another 66 for the fifth with Misbah.
Henry had jolted Pakistan by dismissing opener Ahmed Shehzad, caught behind in the first over for a duck, and then bowling Asad Shafiq (1) in his third.
In between, seamer Mitchell McClenaghan, who took 3-56, had Younis Khan (6).
When it looked as if Pakistan would post a 300-plus total, Henry took Hafeez and Misbah, both of whom were caught behind.
Misbah, who hit two fours and two sixes, was not happy with English umpire Richard Illingworth’s decision and called for a review, but it was to no avail.
His dismissal left Pakistan seemingly derailed on 172-6, but Afridi hit three sixes and a four in his 14-ball 27, while Sarfraz Ahmed made 23.
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