Pakistan’s lone warrior in the final ODI on Sunday, Iftikhar, smashed an unbeaten 94 from 72 balls to keep the opposition on their toes despite the top-order collapse. His heroic knock eventually went in vain as Pakistan were all-out for 252 while chasing 300.

Earlier in the T20I series, he also played a similar knock when he thrashed a blistering 60 in just 24 balls in the third game in Lahore but could not sail his side to the finish line.

The grit shown by Iftikhar did not go unnoticed as the Kiwi player Young spoke highly of his knock, claiming he was distressed after dropping the former on 60.

“He is an amazing player. I can recall a couple of knocks when he almost won the game singlehandedly” said Young in the post-match press conference.

“I think the game is never over when Ifitkhar is at the crease. And when I dropped him on 60 at point, my heart was pumping”

Young, who starred with a brilliant 87-run knock, said he was happy with the team’s victory and the way he played in the final ODI.

“We were able to take wickets today which we were not able to do in the previous game and managed to put pressure on the opposition,” he added

Commenting on the importance of the Pakistan tour before the World Cup – scheduled later this year in India – he said, “Playing in the subcontinent condition will help us a lot preparing for the mega event”.

Furthermore, the right-hander also hailed the local crowd for their support and lauded Pakistan for its great hospitality.

“They were obviously home fans but they were nice and friendly to us as well. And the way we were treated in hotel rooms at various hotels was outstanding,” he said.

“Hospitality was great,” he remarked.

New Zealand concluded their second tour of Pakistan this year on Sunday with a consolation 47-run win in the final ODI at National Bank Cricket Cricket to avoid the 5-0 series whitewash.

The tour commenced on April 24 with a five-game T20I series in Lahore and Rawalpindi. Despite falling behind 2-0 after the first two games, the visitors managed to tie the series at 2-2.

READ: No fissure in the team, claims Babar after Imam’s cryptic tweet

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Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq posted a tweet on Sunday, believed to be an indirect way of venting out his anger for being benched in the fourth and fifth ODI of the recently concluded PAK vs NZ ODI series.

“Life is an unexpected journey so never expect anything from anyone”. Be patient, Allah is watching,” he wrote.

“Life is an unexpected journey so never expect anything from anyone”. Be patient, Allah is watching

— Imam Ul Haq (@ImamUlHaq12) May 7, 2023

When Babar was asked about Imam’s cryptic tweet during the post-match press conference on Sunday, he replied he had not seen the tweet and would see it later.

“No one gets angry in this team. The unity of our team is phenomenal and it will remain like this,” he added.

“And when something like this happens we try to keep to ourselves because the trust level between us is quite good.”

The 28-year-also also shrugged off the reports that Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to retain him as the captain till the ODI World Cup later this year, saying, he had not been informed.

“I am not aware if the board has made that decision. There hasn’t been any communication with me in this regard.”

However, while commenting on Pakistan’s possible squad for the mega event, Babar said he and the management had 15 to 20 players in mind whose names would only be revealed before the World Cup.

“Every match before the World Cup is important for us and we are trying to utilize it,” he said.

Elaborating on the team’s performance in the recently concluded five-game ODI series against New Zealand, the Pakistan captain said, “There were many positives and we were able to check on our bench strength in the series”

“We tried to clean sweep the Black Caps but the way we planned, we couldn’t finish it that way.”

“We planned to finish the series on a better note; however, early wickets led to our defeat,” he lamented.

Tom Latham-led New Zealand took a 47-run consolation win in the final ODI at National Bank Cricket Arena on Sunday to deny Pakistan a 5-0 clean sweep in the series.

The defeat dethroned Pakistan from the No.1 spot in the ODI rankings which they achieved for the first time in history following their dominant win in the fourth ODI on Friday.

READ: PAK vs NZ: New Zealand team leaves after concluding Pakistan tour

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The Blackcaps played five T20Is and as many ODIs between April 14 and May 7 during their second visit to Pakistan this year.

Taking to Twitter, the visitors thanked Pakistan for hosting them as the Kiwis ended their recent tour not as successful as the previous one.

Thanks for having us for the last month Pakistan! Homeward bound after 10 matches against @TheRealPCB and time in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi. #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/ChVF3VQG3n

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) May 8, 2023

Under the captaincy of Kane Williamson, New Zealand beat Pakistan 2-1 in a three-match ODI series earlier in January after the Tim Southee-led Test team drew the two Tests.

On Sunday, the Blackcaps claimed a consolation win in the five-game PAK vs NZ ODI series here at the National Bank Cricket and denied Pakistan a 5-0 clean sweep, which would’ve maintained the Green Shirts’ top spot on the ODI rankings.

Pakistan became the No.1 ODI team for the first time since the advent of the ICC Rankings system in January 2005 after their dominant 102-run victory in the fourth ODI on Friday.

In the T20I series, the touring side managed to level the series 2-2 despite trailing 2-0 after the first two matches.

READ: PAK vs NZ: Iftikhar blitz in vain as New Zealand down Pakistan in fifth ODI

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Watch PAK vs NZ Live Match in HD Streaming

The fifth PAK vs NZ ODI of the five-match series was played here at the National Bank Cricket Arena here on Sunday.

New Zealand captain Tom Latham opted to bowl first for the first time after the coin flipped in his favour in the ongoing series.

His men justified his decision as they piled up a massive total on the scoreboard on the back of brilliant half-centuries by their captain Tom Latham and Will Young.

Will Young smashed eight boundaries and two sixes on his way to top score for New Zealand with a 91-ball 87.

Latham, on the other hand, played a brisk 59-run knock in just 58 deliveries with the help of five boundaries.

The target set by the Kiwis turned out to be too much for Pakistan as they succumbed to their first defeat in the ongoing five-match series despite a brilliant half-century by Iftikhar Ahmed.

A defeat in the fifth PAK vs NZ ODI also deprived Pakistan of the top spot in the ODI team rankings as they slipped back to the third position.

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Watch PAK vs NZ Live Match in HD Streaming

Set to chase a mammoth 300, Pakistan’s strong batting lineup stuttered and could raise 252 before bundling out in the 47th over despite a fighting 94-run knock by Iftikhar Ahmed.

The home side got off to a dismal start to the pursuit as their opener Shan Masood (7 off 20) perished cheaply in the eighth over with just 29 runs on the scoreboard.

Pakistan endured a huge blow in the next over when skipper Babar Azam fell for just one run in his 100th ODI after looking to drive off Henry Shipley.

Promoted to bat at No.4, Mohammad Rizwan failed to make an impact in a clutch situation for his side as he perished for just nine runs and faced 15 deliveries.

The hosts then slipped to 66/4 in the 19th over after set batter Fakhar Zaman miscued one in an attempt to go big off Rachin Ravindra. He could score 33 off 64 deliveries, laced with five boundaries.

Following the slump, Salman Ali Agha and Iftikhar Ahmed attempted to anchor the run chase with a fighting 97-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

The duo appeared to have settled down to take the game away from the touring side until Shipley struck again.

The right-arm pacer bamboozled Agha with extra bounce, who fell for a well-crafted 57 off as many deliveries which featured six boundaries and a six.

Iftikhar, on the other hand, stood his ground firm and put on a brief partnership with Shadab Khan, who could score a run-a-ball 14 before Adam Milne dismissed him in the 39th over.

Usama Mir then walked out into the middle and joined hands with Iftikhar for another brief partnership for Pakistan that lasted for three overs.

New Zealand captain Tom Latham’s quick bowling changes worked for him as Ravindra struck twice in the same over; removing Usama (20) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (0) to enhance the touring side’s grip on the game.

Meanwhile, Iftikhar Ahmed kept pushing for victory while his side was losing wickets at an alarming rate and in the end saw his efforts going in vain as Pakistan bundled out in the 47th over with Haris Rauf being the last casualty, who got run out for just one.

Iftikhar top-scored for Pakistan with an unbeaten 94 off 72 deliveries with the help of eight boundaries and two sixes.

Trailing 4-0 in the series, the Black Caps opted to bat first for the first time after winning the toss at the National Bank Cricket Arena in the fifth PAK vs NZ ODI.

Will Young led the charge for the visitors as he smashed 91-ball 87 before captain Tom Latham and Mark Chapman made useful contributions of 43 and 58.

Pakistan fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, who remained unimpressive in his opening spell, stormed through the lower order and took three wickets in the death overs to keep New Zealand in check.

From 267 for 5 in the 45th over, New Zealand slid to 299 all-out after Shaheen and Haris put up some excellent effort with the ball in the last five overs.

Shadab, who made his return after being benched in the last ODI, gave Pakistan crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs as he removed well-set Young and Chapman, breaking 50-plus partnerships on both occasions.

Usama Mir (2-53) then struck down Tom Latham at the right time as the left-hander was looking to be in great touch since he smashed five fours during 58-ball 59.

Cole McConchie and Rachin Ravindra also showed some intent in the latter part of the innings with their respective knocks of 26 and 28.

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Usama Mir continues

NZ 66/1 (14 Overs)

Wasim continues

NZ 62/1 (13 Overs)

Usama Mir continues

NZ 53/1 (12 Overs)

Wasim continues

NZ 47/1 (11 Overs)

Usama comes into the attack

NZ 42/1 (10 Overs)

Mohammad Wasim continues

NZ 42/1 (9 Overs)

Haris Rauf replaces Shaheen Shah

NZ 37/1 (8 Overs)

7.3: Wasim dismisses Blundell. Half-volley down the leg side and Blundell hit it straight down deep square leg’s throat.

Mohammad Wasim replaces Haris Rauf

NZ 32/0 (7 Overs)

Shaheen still in the attack

NZ 22/0 (6 Overs)

Haris bowls his third over of the spell

NZ 17/0 (5 Overs)

Shaheen continues

NZ 11/0 (4 Overs)

Haris continues

NZ 7/0 (3 Overs)

Shaheen continues the attack

NZ 6/0 (2 Overs)

Haris Rauf bowls from the other end

NZ 1/0 (1 Over)

Will Young and Tom Blundell come out to bat for New Zealand. Shaheen Afridi opens the attack for Pakistan

PAKISTAN VS NEW ZEALAND (1ST INNINGS)

KARACHI: New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan in the final match of the PAK vs NZ ODI series here at Karachi’s National Bank Cricket Arena on Sunday. 

PLAYING XIs

Pakistan: Shan Masood, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Agha Salman, Usama Mir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf

New Zealand: Will Young, Tom Blundell (wk), Henry Nicholls, Tom Latham (c), Mark Chapman, Cole McConchie, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry

Matches 114, Pakistan 54, New Zealand 56, No Result 4

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Watch PAK vs NZ Live Match HD Streaming at ARY ZAP.

Crocker, who served as Black Caps manager between 2003 and 2008, died on Sunday morning aged 64.  He had nearly 20 years of involvement in top-level cricket administration.

He scored 2663 runs at 27.45 in his 54-match first-class career for Northern District as an opening batsman.

He remained New Zealand Cricket’s Head of Operations from 2012 to 2016.

It is pertinent to mention here that New Zealand are 4-0 behind in the series as they take on Pakistan in the final ODI at Karachi’s National Bank Cricket Arena.

In the fourth ODI on Friday, Pakistan thrashed the visitors by 102 runs to extend their lead in the series and became the No.1 side in the ODI ranking.

READ: Rodrygo and Vinicius inspire Madrid Copa del Rey triumph over Osasuna

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PLAYING XIs

Pakistan: Shan Masood, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Agha Salman, Usama Mir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Wasim, Haris Rauf

New Zealand: Will Young, Tom Blundell (wk), Henry Nicholls, Tom Latham (c), Mark Chapman, Cole McConchie, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry

HEAD TO HEAD (T20Is)

Matches 114, Pakistan 54, New Zealand 56, No Result 4

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On Friday, during the fourth match of the PAK vs NZ five-match series at the National Stadium Karachi, Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, scored his 18th century, leading his team to a significant 102-run victory over New Zealand.

Pakistan secured the top spot in the ODI Team Rankings for the first time in history after their dominant 102-run victory over a struggling New Zealand team.

Despite their captain Tom Latham’s 60, New Zealand’s batting lineup struggled to chase the mammoth target of 335 and got bundled out for a meager 232 in the 43rd over, resulting in a massive 102-run victory for the home team.

New Zealand’s touring side had a careful start to their run chase. Their openers, Will Young (15) and Tom Blundell, scored 36 runs for the first wicket before Mohammad Wasim Jr dismissed the latter in the eighth over.

After the slump, New Zealand captain Latham and Daryl Mitchell formed a vital partnership of 83 runs for the third wicket, looking to anchor their run chase.

The partnership between Latham and Mitchell seemed to have stabilized, and they aimed to increase their run rate. However, Mitchell stumbled against Usama Mir and got dismissed after scoring 34 off 48, including a boundary.

Latham was part of another critical partnership for New Zealand, adding 55 runs to the total with Mark Chapman during their fourth-wicket stand.

The dismissal of Chapman led to a match-defining collapse, and New Zealand was eventually bowled out in the 44th over.

During his sixth-wicket partnership with Iftikhar, the Pakistan skipper made history by becoming the quickest player to score 18 ODI centuries.

PAK vs NZ ODI Schedule

27 Apr – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi

29 Apr – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi

3 May – 3rd ODI, Karachi

5 May – 4th ODI, Karachi

7 May – 5th ODI, Karachi

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Pakistan captain Babar Azam has had an illustrious career since he made his ODI debut for Pakistan against Zimbabwe in Lahore almost eight years ago. The prolific batter has transformed himself into one of the most successful batters in recent history.

He has been the number-one batter on the ICC ODI Rankings since 2 April 2022 and currently holds the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year and ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award, the last being his second in as many years.

When Pakistan and New Zealand will walk out for their final meeting of the five-match PAK vs NZ ODI series at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Babar, the fastest batter to 5,000 runs, will complete the century of matches in the format.

Ahead of the landmark match, the 28-year-old exquisite stroke-maker reflected upon his inspirational ODI journey.

Babar Azam also shared the hard work he put in since his first exposure to official cricket at the under-15 regional level and his feelings when he was first called up for the national side.

“It was a different feeling altogether. There was some talk about me being selected, but when I got the call, there was a lot of excitement. I was sitting with my family and it made them happy. When I entered the Gaddafi Stadium as a Pakistan player, I reminisced my journey of how I used to come here as a ball picker and how I had come here before Inzamam-ul-Haq’s final Test match, which was against South Africa, as a net bowler.

“I was not selected for the national academy for top performers after my first season as an U15 regional player as my performances were not up to the mark. That is when I started to set goals for myself and my first goal was to become a part of it and for that, I worked hard day and night. I used to leave my house for training at 11am and stay in the ground till sunset.”

The Pakistan captain then shared how, through difficult times in his life, he was away from his family and how their support helped him achieve the pinnacle.

“I was very close to my paternal uncle and when he passed away, I was on a tour with Pakistan U19 in South Africa. He always used to take care of my bats and repair them for me. I lost my paternal grandmother when I was playing a match in Islamabad. I could not make in time for the final rituals, as I could not find a bus to Lahore.

“My journey has had its fair share of sacrifices. But, I am glad that I have a family that supports me. My mother bought me my first-ever cricket bat and gear, and I used that bat for good two to three years. My dad has been a great influence in my life. He tells me to be never complacent and that keeps me hungry and focused. My brothers always lend me support in tough times.”

Babar Azam said it was his three consecutive centuries in the United Arab Emirates against the West Indies that turned around his career and gave him confidence.

Speaking about the 2016 series, he said though his start to international cricket was a good one as he scored five half-centuries in the first 15 ODIs, he was unable to convert the starts into big scores. The presence of Mickey Arthur, the then head coach and now team director, helped him evolve into a reliable stroke-maker.

“I want to mention Mickey as he played an integral role in my transformation. As a cricketer, there’s a feeling that if you are not up to the mark, you might get dropped from the side, but he gave me the confidence. He asked me to give my best to the side and not worry about getting axed from the side and that helped me a great deal. He did not only do it with me but with every player in the side and that is why we have eight to nine players in the side currently from that lot.”

Babar Azam took the reins of the national side in 2019 and the added responsibility has brought the best out of him. While staying at the top of his game, he has also been able to get performances out of the team. At the time of the interview, Babar had the best ODI average of 73.72 for players who have captained their countries in at least 20 ODIs. The mantra behind that is clear communication with players and embracing responsibility.

“The first year was a little overwhelming as there were a lot of things to deal with simultaneously as a Pakistan captain. But, I learned how to manage that. I also learned a lot from how Saifi bhai [Sarfaraz Ahmed] managed the team. I used to see his demeanour on and off the field and used to ask him questions that helped me.

“The most crucial bit in leading a team is to provide clarity to each and every player and have honest and open communication with the players. This breeds positivity in the team environment and brings everyone together as a team. As a captain, you have a kind of a dual responsibility because as a non-captain, you only focus on your field and batting, but now you also have to run a team. I enjoy taking responsibility and it brings the best out of me”

For a player who is already regarded as one of the best the country has produced and who has earned tones of accolades over his already legendary career, what is the next goal that he has set himself?

“Being the captain of a World Cup winning side would be sweet,” he said.

PAK vs NZ: Usama Mir backs ‘match-winner’ Shadab Khan

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