Defeat by Kiwis in 5th ODI, Pakistan is no longer world number one
Chasing target of 300 runs, Pakistan team collapsed to 252 runs, Iftikhar Ahmed scored 92 and Agha Salman 57 runs, series went from 1-4 to Shaheens, Pakistan came to third place in world ranking with a difference of one point
Pakistan could maintain first position in ODI rankings for barely 2 days and after losing by 47 runs against New Zealand in fifth and final ODI, they fell from the first to third position.
Despite defeat in fifth ODI, Shaheens won series by 1-4.
Chasing New Zealand’s target of 300 runs, Pakistan were bowled out for 252 runs in fifth and final ODI played at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi. Iftikhar Ahmed scored 94 runs and Agha Salman scored 57 runs.
With defeat in last ODI, Pakistan dropped to third position after holding world number one position for barely 2 days.
Congratulations @BLACKCAPS on winning the fifth ODI and touring Pakistan for the white-ball matches. It was a pleasure hosting you and we wish you a safe travel home.#PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/1FLcZajtYg
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 7, 2023
New Zealand captain Tom Latham won toss and decided to bat first. entire Kiwi team was bowled out for 299 runs in 50th over. Will Young 87 and captain Tom Latham scored 59 runs. On behalf of Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi took 3 wickets, Shadab and Osama Mir took 2, 2 wickets while Haris Rauf and Mohammad Wasim took one wicket each.
In pursuit of New Zealand’s target of 300 runs, Pakistan did not start well, Shaan Masood and captain Babar Azam returned to the pavilion at a total score of 30, Shaan left the team with 7 runs and Babar one.
After that, Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman got out after scoring 9 runs, after 4 wickets fell, Agha Salman and Iftikhar Ahmed supported the team and both of them scored half-centuries to give Pakistan hope of victory.
Congratulations boys on winning the ODI series 4️⃣-1️⃣ 🇵🇰🙌#PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/xWuTEFlHz4
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 7, 2023
However, Agha Salman got out after scoring 57 runs and after that Pakistan’s wickets continued to fall on one side and on the other side Iftikhar Ahmed started playing aggressive shots but he too could not give the team success.
The entire Pakistan team was bowled out for 252 runs in the 47th over, Iftikhar Ahmed was not out for 94 runs off 72 balls. Henry Shipley and Rachin Ravindra took 3, 3 wickets for New Zealand.
3️⃣6️⃣3️⃣ runs in five innings with the highest score of 1️⃣8️⃣0️⃣ not out@FakharZamanLive is the player of the series 🏆#PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/ZZtHOHBWaW
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 7, 2023
Despite the defeat in the fifth ODI, Pakistan won the series by 1-4. For scoring 363 runs in five matches, Pakistani opener Fakhr Zaman was declared the best player of the series.
After the defeat by New Zealand in the last ODI, Pakistan moved from first to third position in the ICC rankings. In the ODI world rankings, Australia and India are first and second with 113 points, while Pakistan is at the third position with 112 points.
