Poor batting costly for Black Caps
A frightening thud to the helmet of batsman Imam-ul-Haq couldn’t slow Pakistan’s momentum in a runaway victory over the Black Caps in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
A sub-par batting performance saw New Zealand’s 12-match winning streak over Pakistan in oneday cricket internationals screech to a halt, as the hosts cruised to a six-wicket victory with 57 balls to spare in game two. At 1-1 a tense series decider now looms in Dubai today.
Said captain Kane Williamson of their total of 209-9: ‘‘Not enough [runs] at all. We never really fired a shot. There was a bit of scrapping which got us a total but it certainly wasn’t enough on that surface. The boys tried hard with the ball but today we were certainly outplayed.’’
There was a moment of alarm in Pakistan’s chase for 210 when fast bowler Lockie Ferguson cracked Imam on the grille of his helmet with a searing bouncer in the 13th over at 54-0.
Imam tried to hook but was way too slow and it snuck through, and there was immediate concern as he hit the ground then wobbled when getting to his feet.
Imam (16) was assisted off Sheikh Zayed Stadium and taken to hospital in an ambulance, with later reports confirming he was cleared by scans of any serious head injury.
Pakistan’s batsmen weren’t the only ones under fire as Henry Nicholls took a hit in close to help Ferguson (3-60 off 10) snare a late wicket.
Fielding at short leg, Nicholls took a full-blooded Shoaib Malik hook to the left shoulder and it lobbed up for Ish Sodhi to complete the catch. Nicholls got to his feet in pain and left the field for treatment as Pakistan still had control at 177-3 in the 33rd.
The Black Caps needed to bowl out of their skins after choosing to bat first and posting an insipid 209-9.
Two days after Trent Boult’s hat-trick crippled Pakistan’s top order in New Zealand’s 47-run victory the top order had no such problems, Imam aside.
The flamboyant Fakhar Zaman – victim one of Boult’s hattrick – bounced back to lead the chase with 88 off 88 balls including 11 fours.
He and Babar Azam (46 off 50) broke the Black Caps bowlers with a stand of 101 after Imam’s departure and the first wicket didn’t fall until the 29th over.