Chance for NZ to shine rained off
The Black Caps have missed out on the opportunity for a rare overseas series victory, with their hopes of glory being vanquished by something even more unique.
Their ODI series against Pakistan has ended in a 1-1 draw, after the third and (supposedly) deciding one-dayer in Dubai was abandoned due to rain.
Yes, you read that right — rain. In Dubai. Down it came with the Black Caps at 35-1 in their chase of 280 for victory, and the players never returned to the pitch, leaving the series drawn.
Whether that classifies as a missed opportunity for the Black Caps depends on your perspective.
Chasing 280, having already lost Colin Munro, and with captain Kane Williamson missing the game due to a minor groin strain, a victory was probably unlikely.
However, George Worker and Henry Nicholls had started strongly, and both sides would have wanted to fight for a deserved result on the field, rather than the damp conclusion they were eventually given.
It ends an ODI series which — much like the Twenty20 series before it — contained some positive signs for the Black Caps, just without the ultimate results new coach Gary Stead would have liked.
“You don’t come this far and expect to be rained off in the middle of the desert,” laughed Stead.
“The 280 was always going to be a tough ask but with a bit of drizzle on the wicket it actually quickened it up a bit, and that would have been in our favour.”
Stead had particular praise for Lockie Ferguson, whose stock is rising after another impressive effort yesterday.
The speedster claimed his first international five-wicket bag, taking 5-45, albeit it with three of his scalps coming in the last over of the innings.
However, his pace has proven problematic for batsmen throughout the series, and he looks to have jumped Adam Milne and Matt Henry into the Black Caps’ top three seam options in the 50-over format.
While noting the slight fortune in his eventual figures, Ferguson credited a change in approach to his success yesterday, bowling over the wicket instead of around it due to the slightly slower pitch conditions.
“I changed my game plan from the first two games — I looked to hit a hard length, nice and straight, and bring the stumps into play a bit more,” said Ferguson.
You don’t come this far and expect to be rained off in the middle of the desert.
Black Caps coach Gary Stead
“It was fortunate but I’ve just been working away, and it was pleasing to have some results.”
Henry had his chance yesterday as well, taking 1-53 after replacing Tim Southee, while Trent Boult took a hammering, going for 80 from his 10 overs, including a bizarre moment where Pakistan ran five off one of his deliveries after some shambolic fielding.
Babar Azam was again superb for the hosts, hitting 92 from 100 balls, while Fakhar Zaman (65) and Haris Sohail (60) saw Pakistan reach 279-8 — an exceptionally challenging total on the slower United Arab Emirates wickets.
It would have taken something special for the Black Caps to chase it down and earn a series victory, but alas, they didn’t even get the chance.