Run machine Babar Azam scored his 18th century as Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 102 runs for a one-day worldwide sequence sweep.
Babar’s 107 off 117 balls propped up Pakistan’s 6-334 on Friday earlier than New Zealand stumbled to 232 all out, their lowest whole of the sequence.
The most lopsided win of the sequence lifted Pakistan to No.1 within the ICC ODI rankings and gave them a 4-0 sequence lead. The fifth and remaining ODI of the sequence is on Sunday.
“Credit goes to the entire team and support staff for becoming the No.1-ranked ODI team,” captain Babar stated.
“We felt it was a 300-plus wicket and if you build a partnership you can get to that total. We wanted to give a proper run to every player and since there are big events coming up, we are happy to find 15-16 players.”
Babar and Agha Salman revived Pakistan from 3-128 within the twenty fifth over with a 117-run fourth-wicket stand.
Their cost allowed Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Haris to smash 38 off the final two overs and submit an imposing whole.
“Credit to the way they played, Babar played fantastically,” New Zealand captain Tom Latham stated.
“We are trying to build partnerships and needed someone to bat through tonight, but a big partnership was missing.”
New Zealand had began properly. Fast bowler Matt Henry eliminated Fakhar Zaman, who top-edged a pull to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell.
Shan Masood, who changed Imam-ul-Haq, scored 44 at a brisk tempo earlier than he was stumped off Ish Sodhi, and Henry ran out Mohammad Rizwan off a direct throw from mid-on.
But that introduced Babar and Salman collectively. Salman dominated the spinners with sweep photographs as he hit 58 off 46 balls, with 4 boundaries and two sixes.
Henry plucked a superb low one-handed catch off his personal bowling to dismiss Salman, then Babar raised his century off 113 balls in one other helpful stand with Iftikhar Ahmed.
Babar holed out within the deep to offer debutant quick bowler Ben Lister his first ODI wicket, however the world’s top-ranked ODI batter accomplished 5,000 runs in his 97th innings, surpassing South African Hashim Amla’s document of reaching the milestone in 101 outings.
New Zealand have been in the same place to Pakistan on the midway stage, at 3-129 after 26 overs.
Captain Tom Latham, who top-scored with 60, and Mark Chapman, with 46, tried to speed up within the center overs, however Latham’s demise when he was caught behind off Shah Afridi triggered a collapse.
The Black Caps misplaced their final seven wickets for 48 runs.
Mohammad Wasim (3-40) and legspinner Usama Mir (4-43), one among 5 adjustments Pakistan made after sealing the sequence 3-0 on Wednesday, ran by the center and decrease order.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
