In a World Cup warm-up game on Friday, New Zealand defeated Pakistan by five wickets after chasing down 345 runs thanks in large part to crucial innings from Rachin Ravindra and the returning Kane Williamson.
When chasing 346 to win, New Zealand lost an early wicket before Ravindra (97) and Williamson (54) put up 137 to get their team back on track. They reached the goal in Hyderabad with 6.2 overs remaining.
After choosing to bat first, Pakistan scored 345-5 with Mohammed Rizwan scoring 103 and Babar Azam scoring 80. However, the Kiwi batsmen made the total appear simple against an attack lacking pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Williamson, who only participated as a batter in the game after missing six months owing to a knee injury, had remarkable form during his 50-ball stint before being dismissed.
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Williamson, who will miss the tournament’s opening match against England on October 5 because of a knee injury, said of the injury: “It held up pretty well.”
Usama Mir, a Pakistani spinner, struck twice in his two overs, but Daryl Mitchell scored 59 to keep the chase moving.
New Zealand completed the task in 43.4 overs thanks to a 68-run partnership between left-handed batsman Mark Chapman, who hit the decisive six in his unbeaten 65, and James Neesham, who scored 33.
Prior to being bowled by Mitchell Santner, Azam smashed eight fours and two sixes. However, Rizwan continued to bat and joined Saud Shakeel for another crucial stand to make 100.
In his 94-ball innings, Rizwan hit nine fours and two sixes and declared: “A hundred is a hundred in any circumstance. I am content and proud.
The game, which was not an official warm-up along with the others,
