‘Highway se flyway’ – Fans react as Pakistan become number ‘one’ ranked team in ODIs for first time in history
Babar Azam scored 107 against New Zealand in the fourth ODI.
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May 6, 2023 11:54 am
Pakistan (Source: Twitter)
Pakistan became the number one ranked ODI Team for the first time in history. The Babar Azam led side defeated New Zealand 4-0 in the five-match series. There is one game left. Pakistan overtook India to become numero uno in the 50-over format. Pakistan have won an ODI World Cup in 1992 and will be looking to win their second ODI World Cup title in India.
In the four ODIs that have been played between the Men in Green and the blackcaps, Pakistan were victorious in all of them. The first two matches were held in Karachi while the next to were held in Rawalpindi. In the fourth ODI, Pakistan won by 102 runs in a very dominating fashion. Babar scored a special 107 off 117 balls with 10 fours. This was a well-orchestrated innings which helped Pakistan make a huge total of 334-6 in their 50 overs.
Pakistan have taken an unassailable lead of 4-0 over New Zealand in the ODI series
New Zealand won the toss and chose to bowl. Shan Masood gave Pakistan a good start at the top of the order. The left-hander made 44 off 55 balls with seven fours. He was stumped by Tom Blundell off Ish Sodhi. Agha Salman played a good hand consisting of 58 off 46 balls with four fours and two sixes. He was caught and bowled by Matt Henry to end his innings.
Iftikhar Ahmed made a bright and breezy 28 off 22 balls with five fours. The right-hander was caught by Tom Blundell off Henry. Pakistan got a great finish in the end. Mohammad Haris made an unbeaten 17 off 8 balls with one four and one six. Shaheen Afridi made a quickfire 23 off 7 balls with one four and three sixes.
In the run chase, only Tom Latham and Mark Chapman made sizeable contributions. The rest of the batters struggled to get their eye in. The Men in Green picked up wickets at regular intervals to stem the run flow. Usama Mir and Mohammad Wasim Jr picked up seven wickets between them to break the back of the Kiwi batting line-up.
