4TH ODI: NZ beat Pakistan by seven runs, level series 2-2
We tried to do our best, says Afrid in the post-match presentation ceremony
Kane Williamson was once again the man for New Zealand as he scored 123 for the Kiwis to set a difficult target of 300 runs for Pakistan, which the hosts failed to chase and lost by seven runs levelling the series 2-2 in Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan were lagging from the start as Ahmed Shehzad was bowled by Matt Henry in the first over of the chase. Three quick wickets after that brought Pakistan down to 82-4 in the 22nd over. Younus Khan (103) and Umar Akmal (29) then held Pakistan’s reins to push them to 172 when Umar was unluckily run out.
Shahid Afridi walked in and hit a quick-fire 49 off 36 balls to boost Pakistan’s run rate but as he departed so did Pakistan’s chances of winning.
Afridi said in the post-match presentation ceremony, “We tried to do our best.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 18th, 2014.