Naseem Shah made history with a record-breaking knock in the second ODI against New Zealand, but his efforts couldn’t prevent Pakistan from suffering a heavy 84-run defeat. Playing at Seddon Park, Hamilton, Naseem’s remarkable innings from the No. 11 position was one of the few highlights in an otherwise disappointing performance.
Record-Breaking Innings from No. 11
Chasing 293, Pakistan collapsed to 208 all out, with only Faheem Ashraf (73 off 80) and Naseem Shah (51 off 44) putting up a fight. The two formed a crucial 60-run stand for the ninth wicket, momentarily raising hopes of a turnaround.
Naseem, who replaced Haris Rauf as a concussion substitute, played a fearless knock under pressure. His 51 runs, featuring four fours and four sixes, now rank as the second-highest score by a No. 11 batter in ODI history. He sits behind Mohammad Amir’s 58 against England in 2016. Interestingly, all three of the highest scores from this position belong to Pakistani players, with Shoaib Akhtar’s 43 against England in 2003 completing the list.
Read: Usman Khan Ruled Out of Second ODI Due to Hamstring Injury
Pakistan’s Struggles with the Bat
Despite Naseem’s heroics, Pakistan’s top order failed to fire. The team struggled from the start, losing wickets at regular intervals. Apart from Faheem and Naseem, no batter could stay at the crease long enough to build a significant partnership.
New Zealand’s bowling attack, led by Ben Sears, was relentless. Sears ripped through Pakistan’s lineup with a stunning five-wicket haul, ensuring his team sealed an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Looking Ahead to Avoid a Clean Sweep
With the series already lost, Pakistan now faces the challenge of avoiding a clean sweep in the final ODI, scheduled for April 5 in Mount Maunganui. The team will need to regroup and address its batting failures to end the series on a positive note.
Pakistan’s Squad for the Series
Pakistan’s squad for the ODI series against New Zealand includes:
Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr., Mohammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir, Haris Rauf, and Usman Khan.
As Pakistan prepares for the final ODI, all eyes will be on whether they can bounce back and end the series with a win.
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