Dhaka – Despite losing five wickets for 83 runs, New Zealand posted 237 for six in 50 overs against Pakistan at Birmingham on Wednesday riding on a 132-run stand in the sixth wicket by James Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to bat first under the overcast condition. The match was delayed by one hour due to the wet outfield. The decision of batting first in such a condition came as a surprise.
Mohammad Hafeez, the right-arm off-spinner, started bowling for Pakistan, but it was Mohammad Amir who grabbed the first wicket of New Zealand. He removed Martin Guptill for five.
After the initial blow by Amir, New Zealand suffered mostly by Shaheen Afridi. The 19-year-old pacer took three wickets in quick succession. He scalped Colin Munro, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham in a span of 22 runs. These three Kiwi batsmen were totally clueless to face the young bowler.
Williamson, who is the best performer for New Zealand in the World Cup so far, fell for 41 today. He was removed by Shadab Khan.
New Zealand lost half of their wickets in just 83 runs and they were so close to suffering a massive batting collapse. But Neesham and Grandhomme had another idea as they resisted with a 132-run stand in the sixth wicket partnership to help New Zealand have a challenging total on the board.
Grandhomme fell as the sixth batsman scoring 64 off 71 with six fours and one six, but Neesham was firm on the wicket and continued to score runs. He remained unbeaten on 97 off 112 with five fours and three sixes.
For Pakistan, Shaheen took three wickets while Amir and Shadab bagged one wicket each.UNB
