Malik Waqar
Pakistan’s star fast bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, delivered the most expensive over of his ODI career in the opening match of the tri-nation series against New Zealand on Saturday, as the visitors posted a formidable total at Lahore’s Qaddafi Stadium, which was hosting its first international match after renovation.
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first, and despite losing early wickets, they capitalized on the batting-friendly conditions to finish their allotted 50 overs with a total of 330/6.
After 43 overs, the Kiwis were 230/5, and it appeared that they might fall short of 300. However, a brutal onslaught from Glenn Phillips in the final overs propelled the visitors past the 300-run mark. Pakistan conceded 84 runs off the final 5 overs, the most they have ever allowed in this phase of a home ODI.
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The Pakistan bowlers seemed helpless, especially after Haris Rauf was forced to leave the field due to an injury. With Rauf’s absence, New Zealand targeted Pakistan’s premium fast bowlers, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi.
Afridi, in particular, bore the brunt of the attack, conceding 25 runs in the final over of the innings, which also saw Phillips reach his century.
This over became the most expensive in Shaheen’s ODI career, surpassing his previous record of 24 runs conceded against Australia in Hobart last year.
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Afridi finished with three wickets but was expensive, giving away 88 runs in his 10 overs. Naseem Shah, on the other hand, also struggled, conceding 70 runs in his 10-over spell without picking up a wicket.
Phillips finished unbeaten on a spectacular 106 off 74 balls, with a blistering final 56 runs coming off just 19 balls, as New Zealand set Pakistan a daunting target of 331.
