RAWALPINDI: In-form opener Fakhar Zaman struck his third-consecutive century and propelled Pakistan to an astonishing victory over New Zealand in the second PAK vs NZ ODI of the five-match series here at Pindi Cricket Stadium.
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The first PAK vs NZ ODI of the five-match series was played here at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam opted to bowl first after the coin flipped in his favour. New Zealand, batting first, put up a decent total on the scoreboard at the back of a brilliant century by Daryl Mitchell and a vital 98-run knock by skipper Tom Latham.
Mitchell smashed eight boundaries and three sixes on his way to top score for New Zealand with a 119-ball 129.
On the other hand, Latham fell just two short of his century as he scored 98 in just 85 balls, laced up with eight boundaries and a six.
The target set by New Zealand eventually proved insufficient for their bowlers to defend at the back of resounding knocks by their openers Fakhar Zaman and skipper Babar.
Fakhar Zaman continued his magnificent form to score his second-consecutive century and top-scored for Pakistan in the run chase.
Babar, however, looked confident to replicate Fakhar but fell short as he fell victim to Ish Sodhi after scoring an important 65 in 66 deliveries, hitting five boundaries and a six.
The two sides will now take on each other in the third fixture of the five-match ODI series at the National Bank Cricket Arena as the action shifts to Karachi, which will host the remaining three ODIs on May 3, 5 and 7.