KARACHI: Pakistan captain Babar Azam notched up his 18th century and powered Pakistan to thrash New Zealand by a massive margin of 101 runs in the fourth PAK vs NZ ODI of the five-match series here yesterday.

Put into bat first in the fourth PAK vs NZ ODI, the home side piled up a mammoth 334/6 in 50 overs at the back of a magnificent century-knock by their skipper Babar Azam. Earlier, the home side got off to an unwanted start as they lost their in-form opener, Fakhar Zaman (14) with just 36 runs on the scoreboard. Following Fakhar’s early dismissal, Pakistan captain Babar walked into the middle and joined set batter Shan Masood to anchor the innings.

The pair batted sensibly and put their side in command with the 50-run partnership until Ish Sodhi deceived Masood in the 17th over to draw a much-needed breakthrough for the touring side.

The left-handed batter scored 44 off 55 deliveries, hitting seven boundaries. Babar then put on a brief partnership with his T20I opening partner Mohammad Rizwan – promoted to bat at No. 4 – before a direct hit from Matt Henry marked the end of the latter’s gritty 24-run knock. Babar then stitched a vital fourth-wicket partnership with Salman Ali Agha and dominated New Zealand bowlers as the pair added 117 runs at a decent pace with the latter being the core aggressor of the stand. Agha put the touring side under immense pressure by smashing four boundaries and two sixes amid his 58-run knock, which ended after Henry pulled a stunning catch off his own bowling. Making his return to the ODI side after a year hiatus, Iftikhar Ahmed took some time to settle before taking the New Zealand bowlers to the cleaners amid his 41-run stand with Babar.

Pakistan skipper then made history by becoming the fastest to score an 18th ODI century amid his sixth-wicket stand with Iftikhar. Meanwhile, Iftikhar, who was breathing fire, skied one off Henry in the 47th over before walking back to the pavilion after scoring 28 off just 22 deliveries, laced up with five boundaries. Babar Azam’s stay at the crease remained brief after Iftikhar’s dismissal as he perished in the next over after top-scoring for his side.

He whacked 10 boundaries amid his magnificent knock of 107 in 117 deliveries. Following Babar’s departure, unbeaten cameos from Mohammad Haris (17 off eight) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (23 off seven) made sure the hosts finished their innings on a high.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 06 2023

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