Hamilton, April 2: New Zealand secured a commanding 84-run victory over Pakistan in the second ODI at Seddon Park, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The Black Caps, led by a brilliant 99* from Mitchell Hay and a five-wicket haul from Ben Sears, outclassed the visitors to continue their dominance at home.
Hay’s Heroics and New Zealand’s Strong Finish
Batting first after Pakistan opted to field, New Zealand posted a competitive 292/8 in their 50 overs. Young batting sensation Mitchell Hay anchored the innings with a superb unbeaten 99 off 78 balls, narrowly missing out on his maiden international century. He received valuable support from Nick Kelly (31 off 23) and other middle-order contributions.
Pakistan’s bowling attack struggled to contain the run flow, with Sufiyan Muqeem (2/33) and Mohammad Wasim Jr. (2/78) picking up crucial wickets, but failing to restrict the Black Caps to a lower total.
Pakistan’s Batting Collapse
Chasing 293, Pakistan’s innings never found momentum, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Faheem Ashraf fought valiantly with a well-compiled 73 off 80 balls, while Naseem Shah surprised with an attacking 51 off 44. However, the rest of the batting lineup failed to provide support, resulting in Pakistan being bowled out for 208 in 41.2 overs.
Ben Sears was the star with the ball, claiming 5/59 in a fiery spell, while Jacob Duffy (3/35) and Will O’Rourke (1/19) provided excellent support to dismantle the Pakistani batting order.
Series Standings and What’s Next
With this victory, New Zealand leads the three-match series 2-0. The final ODI will be a must-win for Pakistan to level the series, while the hosts will aim to clinch the series with another dominant performance.
Score Summary:
New Zealand: 292/8 (50) | Mitchell Hay 99* (78), Nick Kelly 31 (23) | Sufiyan Muqeem 2/33, Mohammad Wasim Jr. 2/78
Pakistan: 208 (41.2) | Faheem Ashraf 73 (80), Naseem Shah 51 (44) | Ben Sears 5/59, Jacob Duffy 3/35
Can Pakistan bounce back in the final ODI, or will New Zealand seal the series? The cricketing world awaits the next clash!
