Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Rizwan put together a century partnership to put Pakistan in control in the third ODI on Friday, after New Zealand dismissed Shan Masood and Babar Azam early.
Pakistan’s innings
Pakistan did not get off to a good start as Shaun Masood, playing his first match as vice-captain, was dismissed for a wicket.
He edged a ball from Lockie Ferguson in the first over which was caught by the wicket keeper but was not dismissed early but New Zealand looked on and took the first wicket.
Captain Babar Azam, who had scored half-centuries in the first two matches and half-centuries in the last five ODIs, was stumped after scoring just four runs.
Pakistan looked to be in trouble after losing two early wickets but then Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Rizwan scored a half-century in the third-wicket partnership.
Left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman completed his 16th half-century off 65 balls, his second half-century of the series.
A solid half-century by @FakharZamanLive after the early wickets 🙌#PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/m83SbLj1Bv
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 13, 2023
Taking charge with a fine innings 👏#PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/ymo7nTbcjo
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 13, 2023
𝐒𝐦𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝 🔥@FakharZamanLive whacks this one over the fence 💪#PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/0shdUR77Fo
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 13, 2023
Mohammad Rizwan also scored the second half-century of the series which is the eighth of his career.
The duo put on 154 runs for the third wicket, before Mohammad Rizwan was dismissed for 77 off 74 balls by Ash Sodhi.
Fakhar Zaman scored his eighth ODI century, Pakistan’s first in 120 balls.
He was dismissed shortly after his century, as he was run out after scoring 101 runs.
TOP NOTCH 🙌
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 13, 2023
First 💯 in Pakistan for @FakharZamanLive #PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/0NB6vKQBf0
Second fifty of the series for Rizwan#PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/EzG91heZhA
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 13, 2023
Toss
Babar flipped the coin and made the correct call to win the toss.
🚨 Pakistan win the toss and elect to bat first in the third ODI 🏏#PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/pYHxFGrdSp
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 13, 2023
Squad changes
Meanwhile, Pakistan has made two changes in the team.
Opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq, who struggled a bit during the series, has been ruled out with a hamstring niggle.
Meanwhile, Naseem Shah is also out of the team.
Shaan Masood and Mohammad Hasnain have been brought into the team in their place.
The absence of both Imam-ul-Haq and Naseem Shah – who have been in devastating form for Pakistan, even taking five wickets in the first match to help Pakistan win the match – will be sorely missed.
And chasing the Pakistan match, his absence could be felt all the more.
2️⃣ changes to our playing XI 👇#PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/2EFoXzYfop
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 13, 2023
Meanwhile, New Zealand kept an unchanged lineup from the previous ODI which they had won.
Bowling first in ODI 3 after a @babarazam258 toss win. An unchanged XI with Lockie Ferguson set to play his 50th ODI. Follow play LIVE in NZ with @skysportnz or @SENZ_Radio 📲 #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/Xs51PmeHDt
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) January 13, 2023
