New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 47 runs in the fifth and final ODI, causing a shift from first to third on the ICC ODI Team Rankings. Babar Azam’s 100th ODI was one to forget, as he lasted only five balls and scored one run. However, Iftikhar Ahmed’s career-best 94 not out and Salman Ali Agha’s third career half-century helped Pakistan recover from 66 for four to reach 252 in 46.1 overs, chasing New Zealand’s 299 all-out in 49.3 overs. Despite the loss, Pakistan’s valiant efforts secured a respectable score and proved to be a challenge for the Kiwi team.
Pakistan’s 4-1 series win against New Zealand was not enough to keep their top position in the ICC ODI Team Rankings. A Sunday defeat to New Zealand pushed them to third place, just 48 hours after their ascent to the top. An annual update of the rankings post Ireland versus Bangladesh series added more pressure to Pakistan’s efforts to stay on top. Nonetheless, their impressive series win cemented their position as a top cricket team.
Iftikhar Ahmed and Salman Ali Agha provided a much-needed boost for Pakistan after losing four key wickets in the match against New Zealand. Despite losing Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Fakhar Zaman, the two batters showed grit and determination, adding 97 runs in 95 balls for the fifth wicket. Unfortunately, Salman was dismissed by Henry Shipley, who took three wickets in the game, when the score was 163. Nonetheless, their partnership proved crucial in Pakistan’s fightback against New Zealand.
Salman Ali Agha scored a run-a-ball 57, hitting six fours and a six, which was his second consecutive half-century. After his dismissal, Iftikhar Ahmed kept Pakistan’s hopes alive with partnerships of 30 runs with Shadab Khan and 23 runs with Usama Mir. However, the required run rate kept climbing, and Pakistan couldn’t recover from the setback.
Iftikhar Ahmed remained unbeaten in the match, even after the last man Haris Rauf was run-out. However, television replays raised doubts about the legality of the dismissal, as it appeared that Henry Shipley might have used his hand to dislodge the bails instead of the ball.
