New Zealand 336 for 5 (Mitchell 129, Latham 98, Rauf 4-78) vs Pakistan

Daryl Mitchell's second successive hundred helped New Zealand to an imposing total of 336 in the second ODI against Pakistan. A 183-run stand between him and stand-in captain Tom Latham was the foundation of New Zealand's biggest ODI total in Pakistan, with Latham's 85-ball 98 ensuring his partner had plenty of support at the other end.

Unlike the first ODI where New Zealand fell away sharply in the final ten overs thanks to a rock-solid bowling display by Pakistan, there would be no let-up at the death this time. The visitors moved through the gears smoothly to press home the advantage of the dominant position they had worked themselves into, They plundered 98 runs in the final ten overs, with Mitchell contributing a career-best 129 off 119.

Pakistan won the toss and reprised the decision from two days ago to field first, and while New Zealand made a more urgent start, they lost Will Young early. Only that didn't deter them. They kept going hard at Pakistan's fast bowlers and aside from Naseem Shah (1 for 49), whose accuracy and menace forced them into caution, no one was spared. Ihsanullah, making his ODI debut, bore the brunt of the third-wicket partnership's punishment. Even Haris Rauf, who picked up four wickets, went for runs, and in the 17th over, Mitchell tonked him for a four and a six, bringing up the side's 100.

Haris removed Chad Bowes after he reached his maiden ODI fifty, but it brought together the defining stand of the innings between Latham and Mitchell. Latham had found strokeplay a struggle on Thursday, but had no such problems today, getting off to a brisk start and milking the spinners effectively. Mitchell looked characteristically imperturbable, and New Zealand's platform was being built beautifully.

Pakistan were sloppy in the field in the first game, and will rue the chance they missed to get rid of Mitchell before he brought up three-figures. Naseem put down a dolly at mid-on with the batter four away from the milestone, denying Usama Mir the wicket his bowling deserved. Latham pulled Mir away for four to bring up his own half-century a few balls later, while Mitchell eased his way to a hundred the following over.

The shackles were off from that point, and in the absence of Shaheen Afridi, who was rested, run-scoring was easier. The final 11 overs brought 107, with Latham central to much of the boundary-hitting. He would be denied the century he deserved when a Pakistan review for caught behind found a Rauf delivery had kissed his inside edge when he was two short, A tight final three overs from Pakistan ensured New Zealand were kept below the 350 they had threatened, but it is still a total that will pose enough of a challenge.

Mitchell 129 and Latham 98 help New Zealand to 336 against Pakistan

2023-04-29 14:52:37