World Cup 2023: Pakistan defeats New Zealand by 21 under DLS method

In the 35th match of the ICC ODI World Cup, Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 21 runs under the Duckworth-Louis (DLS) method after a high-scoring thriller.

Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to bow first.

The New Zealand team scored 401 runs for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 50 overs, with opener Richan Ravinder playing an innings of 108 runs. Captain Kane Williamson was dismissed for 95 while opener Devon Conway put up 35, Daryl Mitchell 29, Mark Chapman 39, and Glenn Phillips was dismissed for 41 runs. Mitchell Santner remained not out with 26 and Tom Latham scored 2 runs.

For Pakistan, Muhammad Wasim Jr. took three wickets, while Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Haris Rauf took one wicket each.

In response to New Zealand’s target of 402 runs, Pakistan lost its first wicket at 11 runs when Abdullah Shafique returned to the pavilion after scoring only four runs.

After that, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman took over the crease. Zaman scored his 11th century with the help of 9 sixes and 6 fours off 63 balls, the fastest century by a Pakistani in the World Cup. Pakistan scored 160 runs for the loss of one wicket before the match was stopped due to rain.

Before the rain stopped for the first time, Pakistan had scored 160 runs for one wicket in 21.3 overs, New Zealand had scored 133 runs for one wicket in 21 overs, and Pakistan was ahead by 10 runs on the Duckworth-Louis method. Pakistan was given the target of 342 runs in 41 overs after cut off.

But the match was stopped for the second time due to rain, under the Duckworth-Louis (DLS) method, Pakistan was leading by 21 runs. In 25.3 overs, Pakistan had to score 179 runs for one wicket. The national team scored 200 runs for the loss of one wicket in 25.3 overs. Continuous rain caused the match to be abandoned and Pakistan was declared the winner by 21 runs under the DLS method.

Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam remained unbeaten. Fakhar scored 126 on 81 balls while Babar score 66 runs off 63 balls.