2nd ODI: New Zealand beat Pakistan, level series 1-1

Kane Williamson scores unbeaten 70 as the visitors win by four wickets

Kane Williamson was on song when his team needed him most as he scored an unbeaten 70 off 91 balls to steer New Zealand to a four-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second ODI to level the series 1-1 in Sharjah late on Friday.

In their pursuit of the 253-run target set by Pakistan, the Kiwis were given a solid 103-run start by the openers Anton Devcich (58) and Dean Brownlie (47).

After the initial dominance, Black Caps lost three quick wickets after Brownlie was bowled by Shahid Afridi in the 19th over. In came Williamson and while he lost partners at the other end he kept the score board ticking. He was supported well by Luke Ronchi (36) for the sixth-wicket 58-run stand as Daniel Vettori (13) scored the winning runs for the Kiwis.



Earlier, Pakistan were 20-3 at the end of the fifth over but Muhammad Hafeez’s 76 brought them back into the game to set up a defendable total. Man-of-the-match Kane Williamson credited his bowlers for the victory.

“Credit goes to our bowlers on a fast outfield and slow pitch,” said Williamson.

Meanwhile, stand-in captain Shahid Afridi said the batting performance was under par.

“We missed our chance in the batting,” said Afridi. “We lost three wickets early and should have crossed 280.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2014.