Sharjah: Captain Kane Williamson led from front to steer New Zealand to a four-wicket victory over Pakistan in the second ODI in Sharjah, yesterday.
The series is level at 1-1 with three matches to play.
The visitors chased down 253, just the second time in 33 attempts Pakistan had been beaten at the ground after posting more than 250.
Williamson’s 70 not out from 91 balls was the match-winning innings for the Kiwis.
Ross Taylor (2), Tom Latham (3) and Corey Anderson (10) departed to part-timer spinner Haris Sohail. His last wicket had New Zealand hobbling at 167 for five in the 33rd over after being 103 without loss in the 19th.
Earlier, New Zealand responded to a couple of Pakistani batting counterattacks to capitalise on an outstanding start gifted by Matt Henry and Mitchell McClenaghan.
The pair reduced Pakistan to 20 for three in the fifth over. Henry had Ahmed Shehzad caught behind and bowled Asad Shafiq; McClenaghan coaxed an edge off Younis Khan to slip Ross Taylor. Pakistan were bowled out for 252 in 48.3 overs.
Support also came from Adam Milne, particularly in his final three-over spell. He dismissed Shahid Afridi for 27 from 14 with a useful bouncer after getting hit for consecutive sixes.
Taylor played a pivotal fielding role with three catches to continue his extraordinary record. His 94 catches in 139 matches is at a ratio of 0.686 per innings. The next best catcher in ODI history - for those who have played 10 or more matches - is Australia’s Mike Hussey at 0.570 per game.
Henry produced a revelatory performance with four for 45. He got the ball to spit off a flat wicket, similar to that which was seen on the opening day of the third Test. His dismissals were all top order players - Mohammed Hafeez for 76, Shehzad for a duck, Shafiq for one and Misbah-ul-Haq for 47.AGENCIES
