END OF OVER:46 | 8 Runs | NZ: 255/6 | RR: 5.54
- Daniel Vettori13 (8b)
- Kane Williamson70 (91b)
- Haris Sohail9-0-48-3
- Wahab Riaz9-0-58-0
Another close contest between the team and it's a fair result that the series is level. Thanks for yours comments and feedback. We will be back for more in a couple of days. Ciao ciao.
"We missed our chance in our batting," says Afridi. "We lost three wickets early, we should have crossed 280. We didn't bowl consistently either when we needed wickets. We can't think of the ones who are injured, we have to manage with what we have and produce results with them."
Mohammad Hafeez gets an award for hitting sixes, Kane Williamson gets a cheque for being the best batsman, Anton Devcich gets an award for the most colourful innings, Adam Milne keeps taking those awards for being the fastest bowler (he should really get that money .. all of it in one go), Luke Ronchi gets an award for the Bonus Shot (whatever that means), Matt Henry gets one for outstanding award. Finally, Kane Williamson is the Man of the Match.
"Credit goes to our bowlers on a fast outfield and slow pitch," says Williamson. "I ran my mate out, so actually should give the award to them. We are not entirely happy to chop and change. Sometimes we have to take measures. I didn't think my bowling today was appropriate, the seamers were doing well. The first game, we played quite well, missed it by small margins. So it was pleasing to win this by winning those small margins.
A comfortable win for New Zealand in the end, their first-ever in an ODI in Sharjah and second here within the last few days after that series-equalising win in the Tests. The chase was bookended by two partnerships: a 103-run one between Anton Devcich and Dean Brownlie and the 58-run one between Kane Williamson and Luke Ronchi. Williamson stayed solid through a mid-innings wobble and stayed unbeaten till the end. Pakistan would probably look back to the start of their innings in the afternoon. They won the toss, but lost their first three wickets cheaply. It was a catch-up game from there on. New Zealand's seamers were terrific today. They bowled to a plan, bowled with pace, and bowled short to share the ten wickets between them, quite an achievement given the placid nature of the pitch. New Zealand have now levelled the series with three more to play.
Here's Haris Sohail
END OF OVER:45 | 11 Runs | NZ: 247/6 (6 runs required from 30 balls, RR: 5.48, RRR: 1.20)
- Daniel Vettori11 (5b)
- Kane Williamson68 (88b)
- Wahab Riaz9-0-58-0
- Mohammad Irfan10-0-50-0
DanielAlexander: "Kane Williamson is the next Mahela Jayawardene #AllClass "
Martin S: "Sounds like Irfan has been incredibly unlucky not to take a wicket. If Pakistan can have both him and Junaid fit for the World Cup their chances will be greatly improved."
Pakistan news: Umar Gul has a bruised tendon in his left ankle, seems to have aggravated his old injury. Misbah-ul-Haq will be assessed tomorrow
