After NZ's Fifth ODI Win by 47 Runs, Pakistan Falls to No. 3 in ICC ODI Rankings

Pakistan's Reign at the Top of ICC ODI Team Rankings Lasts Only 48 Hours Despite 4-1 Series Win

Pakistan's ODI series victory over their opponents was comprehensive with a 4-1 margin. However, their time at the summit of the ICC ODI Team Rankings was brief, as their defeat on Sunday resulted in their downfall from the top spot in just 48 hours

Pakistan’s 100th ODI turned out to be a forgettable one as New Zealand defeated them by 47 runs in the final ODI to push the hosts from first to third on the ICC ODI Team Rankings. Although Pakistan had won the series comprehensively by a 4-1 margin, Sunday’s defeat meant their reign at the top of the ICC ODI Team Rankings lasted just 48 hours.

Babar Azam, Pakistan’s captain, lasted only five balls and scored just one run, resulting in the holiday crowd leaving the National Bank Stadium. However, Iftikhar Ahmed’s career-best 94 not out and Salman Ali Agha’s third career half-century helped Pakistan to recover from 66 for four to 252 in 46.1 overs in reply to New Zealand’s 299 all-out in 49.3 overs.

After losing Shan Masood (7), Babar Azam (1), Mohamamd Rizwan (9), and Fakhar Zaman (33), Iftikhar Ahmed and Salman Ali Agha answered the calls with gutsy and fighting knocks. The two batters added 97 runs for the fifth wicket in 95 balls before Salman became Henry Shipley’s third victim at the score of 163.

Salman’s run-a-ball 57 ball innings was laced with six fours and a six. It was his second successive half-century. Following Salman’s departure, Iftikhar continued to keep Pakistan’s slim chances in the match alive with a 26-ball 30-run sixth wicket partnership with Shadab Khan (14) and an 18-ball 23-run seventh wicket partnership with Usama Mir (20). However, he was always fighting a losing battle as the required run-rate headed in the wrong direction.

Iftikhar returned unbeaten after last-man Haris Rauf was declared run-out despite television replays suggesting Henry may have dislodged the bails with his hand instead of the ball. Iftikhar slapped eight fours and two sixes in a 72-ball 94 and demonstrated that he, along with Salman, had the capacity, capability, and ability to solve Pakistan’s middle-order batting woes and concerns. Iftikhar not only hit boundaries with powerful shots but intelligently kept the scoreboard moving by nudging the ball in gaps.

Besides Shipley (three for 34), left-arm spinner Rachin Ravindra also bowled well and finished with three for 65.

Earlier, half-centuries by Will Young and Tom Latham with small middle-order contributions lifted New Zealand to 299 in 49.3 overs after they had elected to bat first.

Young scored a 91-ball 87 with eight fours and two sixes, and Latham struck five fours in a 58-ball 59, but the most punishing innings in the middle once again came from Mark Chapman who belted five fours and two sixes in a 33-ball 43.

Young and Latham put on a run-a-ball 74-run third wicket partnership, while Latham and Chapman added 56 runs for the fourth wicket in 47 balls.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up three wickets for 46 runs, while wrist-spin duo of Usama Mir and Shadab Khan took two wickets apiece.

In brief, New Zealand beat Pakistan by 47 runs, and Pakistan won the series 4-1. New Zealand scored 299 all-out, 49.3 overs (Will Young 87, Tom Latham 59, Mark Chapman 43, Rachin Ravindra 28, Cole McConchie 26, Henry Nicholls 23; Shaheen Shah Afrid 3-46.

The Player of the Match award went to New Zealand's Henry Shipley for his impressive bowling performance of 3 for 34, while Fakhar Zaman from Pakistan was named Player of the Series for his consistent batting throughout the five-match ODI series. Despite the defeat in the final match, Pakistan can take comfort in their series victory, which saw them win four out of five matches against New Zealand. The team will now shift their focus to their upcoming matches against other international teams as they continue to build towards the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.