New Zealand to fight back strongly and win 4th Odi against Pakistan

New Zealand to fight back strongly and win 4th Odi against Pakistan 

Already 3-0 in the five-match series, Pakistan had little to lose and promoted hard-hitting allrounder Faheem Ashraf to open the batting in the search for runs.

The gamble backfired when Faheem departed for one after edging a swinging Southee delivery to the wicketkeeper in the third over, bringing Babar Azam to the crease.

He lasted only nine balls before becoming Southee's second victim, trudging back to the pavilion with only three runs to his name.

Colin de Grandhomme racked up the highest total on the NZ side, with 74 runs not out by the end of the match, while his partner Henry Nicholls had the third-highest total with 52 runs.

For Pakistan, Shadab Khan and Rumman Raees took two wickets apiece while Harris Sohail bagged one.

The black caps were off to a steady start with Colin Munro (56) and Martin Guptil (31) on the crease. The first wicket fell in the 14th over with 88 runs on the board.

Following Munro's lead, Guptil made his way back to the pavilion in the 16th over. Ross Tailor added just one more run to the gross total before he was declared lbw on Rumman's delivery.

Tom Latham was sent back to the pavilion by Shadab with just 8 runs to his name. Kane Williamson, with 32 runs to his name. was caught by Rumman on a delivery by Harris.

Earlier in the day, Mohammad Hafeez top scored with 81 as the tourists' batsmen finally managed to notch some runs, with Fakhar Zaman, Sohail and captain Sarfraz Ahmed also posting half centuries.

Paceman Tim Southee led the New Zealand attack with three for 44 and skipper Kane Williamson took two for 32.

Pakistan finished their 50-over innings at 262 for eight, thanks to some big-hitting from Hafeez, who smashed 22 from the final over.

It was a gutsy fightback from a side that was reeling at 11 for two in the fifth over and looked in danger of another humiliation after being skittled for 74 in their last outing.

Source :  dawn.com