Pakistan versus New Zealand: 4th ODI Summary and Analysis

Match Basics

Scorecard Summary

Scorecard Summary:
1st Team Play: 262/8 (50 overs, RR: 5.24)
Performers:
Batting: Muhammad Hafeez 81 runs off 80 balls, Sarfaraz Ahmed 51 off 46 balls.
Bowling: Tim Southee 3/44 in 8 overs, Kane Williamson 2/32 in 10 overs.

Target: 263 in 50 Overs.

2ND Team Play: 263/5 (45.5 Overs, RR: 5.73)
Performers:
Batting: Colin de Grandhomme 74 off 40 balls, Colin Munro 56 off 42 balls.
Bowling: Shadab Khan 3/42 in 10 overs, Haris Sohail 1/29 in 6 overs.

Player of the match: Colin de Grandhomme, New Zealand.
Result: New Zealand won by 5 wickets (with 25 balls remaining).

• Pakistan’s performance was much improved in this 4th ODI. However, even though this was a better showing, repetitive errors once again stopped them from claiming what is looking like an increasingly elusive victory in this series.
• Pakistan’s inability to start well has been a major negative for them throughout this series. Consistently bad starts at the top of the order have piled on the pressure on the lower order and left them with a mountain to climb. The biggest frustration has been Babar Azam’s form. Easily the most skillful batsman in the current Pakistan side, a lack of patience and nuance while batting has led to him losing his wicket in disappointing ways. Babar should be taking on the mantle and should start becoming the cornerstone of this batting line. He has the talent but needs to apply it shrewdly as well.
• It is a pleasure to watch Shadab Khan play. The young man is full of life, passion and, most importantly, skill. He delivers his level best whenever called to action, be it batting, bowling, or fielding. Today, he was, yet again, instrumental in putting the Kiwis on the back foot and gave Pakistan a very good chance to win the game. It’s a shame that the other boys were not on their best form.
• Shoaib Malik suffered an unfortunate injury during the match. He came out to bat without his helmet as the spinners were bowling. During a run, he got hit in the back of the head by a throw towards the wicket. Shoaib had to get some on field treatment but did resume batting. During the innings break he suffered delayed concussion effects and couldn’t come out to play the second half of the match.
• New Zealand were fantastic again. Colin Munro wreaked havoc at the top of the order, while Colin de Grandhomme outdid him towards the end, bludgeoning Pakistan into submission with 74 of 40 balls, just when it looked like they may finally get off the mark this series. Kane Williamson was the unsung hero, though. He helped rebuild his side’s chase with a smart innings after having helped them restrict the visitors with his bowling.

Teams

Pakistan

New Zealand