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10:35 pm local time (11:05 pm IST): So that does it from Lahore for the first match of this tri-series. We will back with the action from the 2nd game of the series between New Zealand and South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium itself, on Monday at 9:30 am local time (10:00 am IST). For now, this is the pair of Rajarshi and Bidipto taking your leave. Keep following Sportskeeda!
Mitchell Santner (New Zealand captain): I think it was pretty tight till the time Glenn Phillips unleashed himself! And with the ball, taking that wicket of Fakhar Zaman at that point of time was crucial. It's never easy playing Pakistan in Pakistan, so we did a good job tonight. Karachi is going to be slightly different from here, but I think Pakistan will bounce back. Michael Bracewell has really big hands! But to take that catch and break that crucial partnership was key for us.
Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan captain): When we lose, it gets tough! But initially, we bowled well. It was till the time Glenn Phillips came into his own! He changed the complexion of the innings! As far as playing frontline spinners is concerned, I think it's more important to get our combinations right. There are lots of learnings always and we can get ourselves ready before the Champions Trophy with these matches. Haris Rauf should be fine as we go ahead.
Glenn Phillips has been adjudged Player Of The Match for his all-round performance today! Here's what he has to say: We had a tough middle period, Pakistan bowled really well. The way Bracewell kicked along, got a good kick from there. When you give away your stumps the bowler doesn't go for them. Had a feeling they were going to bowl wide. Stlll needed to give myself room and let my hands do the thing. My first ODI hundred was pretty special - comes only once. It's the tram culture, we talked about putting things in a bucket and not keeping it out. For me, it's about giving back to the team and doing as much as I can.
10:09 pm local time (10:39 pm IST): New Zealand win by 78 runs with 13 balls to spare!
Fakhar Zaman's electrifying batting, Agha Salman and Tayyab Tahir's partnership in the middle and some late entertainment from Abrar Ahmed aside, this has been a sorry state of affairs for Pakistan!
They needed big knocks from their batters, they got the pitch to do it, they had their moments too, but under the pressure applied by New Zealand with the ball and in the field, they wilted!
The spin of Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra stifled the runs and made life extremely difficult for the hosts. Matt Henry too bowled well and used all his experience to pick up 3 wickets. And some of the catching from the Blackcaps, with Bracewell leading the way with a stunner at mid-wicket, was just breathtaking!
There was a moment in the innings when Rachin Ravindra was struck flush in his face by the ball as he attempted to take a flat catch. He bled profusely and had to be taken off the field. We all hope that his recovery happens quickly and he is back for his team come the Champions Trophy, if not before.
Also, Haris Rauf did not come out to bat. He has been sidelined with a low grade side strain, which is not all that bad from participation in the Champions Trophy's perspective.
But lots to think about for the home team here before their next game, a big tick for the away side in all three departments before their next match and a positive first look at the new Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for all of us cricket lovers!
Could not have steered it to the keeper on the full any better, could Naseem!
47.5 Matt Henry to Naseem Shah, NICKS BEHIND, and that will be that with Haris Rauf injured! Banged in short outside off, this one proved to be too quick for Naseem. He looked to fend it away as the ball climbed onto him, the ball took a deflection off his left glove, and Latham completed the formalities with a regulation catch. New Zealand prevail by 78 runs in the first of four games this tri-series!
Naseem Shah c Tom Latham b Matt Henry 13 (23b, 0x4, 0x6)
47.4 Matt Henry to Abrar Ahmed, on a back of length wide of off. Dabbed uppishly towards the deep third region for a run
The players in the dressing room and the crowd are enjoying this! The 250 comes up for Pakistan.
47.3 Matt Henry to Abrar Ahmed, NUMBER 11'S HAVING A BALL WITH THE BAT! Banged in halfway down outside off, Abrar ran down the wicket and had a tennis-like flat-batted swipe at it. The ball lands just inside the ropes at cow corner
This is an even better shot!
47.2 Matt Henry to Abrar Ahmed, AUDACIOUS! Full, just outside off at pace. Abrar backs away and drills it hard past the left of cover
So Abrar is making his presence felt here!
47.1 Matt Henry to Abrar Ahmed, THAT IS A GOOD HIT! Full and straight from Henry without pace. Abrar made room for himself, had a swing at it, the ball landed just inside the ropes at cow corner
New Zealand are giving Ben Sears a proper go with the ball here and that is a good choice. Maybe they should give William O'Rourke the go from the other end as well.
47
overs
238/9score
1
1
0
0
1
w
runs
Abrar Ahmed*
9(11)
Naseem Shah
13(22)
Ben Sears
1/38
46.6 Ben Sears to Abrar Ahmed, in the air... safe! Fuller length, outside the line of off. Abrar backs away, looks to heave this across the line and gets bat to ball. He doesn't hit it well enough to pick out deep square. Just a single as the fielder collects on the bounce
Naseem Shah is obviously prepared to get in line and play more orthodox shots.
46.5 Ben Sears to Naseem Shah, banged in short, into the batter. Fended off the ribs towards deep fine for a run
46.4 Ben Sears to Naseem Shah, yorker, around the line of leg stump. Dug out towards mid off
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Abrar Ahmed
*
Ben Sears
Video
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Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
