In the fourth One Day International (ODI) of the New Zealand tour of Pakistan 2023, the hosts registered an emphatic win and continued their domination over the Black Caps. Pakistan skipper Babar Azam was the chief architect behind the win as he smashed a scintillating centu꧟ry to help the home team lead the series 4-0.
Put in to bat at the National Stadium in Karachi, the Men in Green posted a formidable total of 334/6 in their allotted 50 overs. Babar played a brilliant knock of 107 runs off 117 balls, while Agha Salman contributed with a quick-fire 58 off 46 balls. Matt Henry ♋wa💮s the pick of the New Zealand bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 65 runs.
When it comes to the chase, the tourists never looked like they were in the game as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Tom Latham top-scored with 60 off 76 balls, but it was not enough as Pakistan packed New Zealand for 232 in 43.🎀4 overs, winning the contest by a comprehensive margin of 102 runs.
Usama Mir was the star with the ball for Pakistan, taking 4 wickets for 43 runs in his 10 overs. Mohammad Wasim also chipped in with 3 wickets for 40 runs.
“Team’s efforts and the work from the support staff has helped us to be number 1, Credit to the boys for putting in the effort in tough times. The journey has been good. And has been a memorable one. Has been filled with support, sacrifices and struggle so far. The wicket played well today. We planned to build partnerships. Me and Agha built a partnership and decided to take it deep. We thought 310 was possible. Shaheen got us beyond expectations,” said Babar after the match.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
I always believed in my team's ability to achieve it, AlhumduLillah.
Keep us all in your prayers. 🙏
— Babar Azam (@babarazam258)
Some of these Babar Azam drives today though🥰🥰. Happy 18th ODI century, & Congrats on becoming the fastest to 5000 ODI runs. That’s not to be taken lightly, given the great names 🐽he has surpassed👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi)
Captains to take Pakistan at No.1 Rank..!!!
Tests – Misbah ul Haq
ODIs – Babar Azam
T20Is – Sarfaraz Ahmed— Nawaz 🇵🇰 (@Rnawaz31888)
Babar Azam in the last 17 innings in ODI:
158(139), 57(72), 114(83), 105*(115), 103(107), 77(93), 1(3), 74(85), 57(65), 91(125), 66(82), 79(114), 4(13), 49(46), 65(66), 54(62), 107(117).𝓡
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
To see Paki꧟stan on 🔝 has always been the ultimate dream 🤩
W🐓e’re the #1 ODI team, Alhamdulillah. On𝕴wards and upwards 🇵🇰🙌🏼
— Imam Ul Haq (@ImamUlHaq12)
In 52 years of ODI crickജet, Pakistan had never been ranked No. 1 in the world. And then Babar Azamꦚ became our captain Alhamdulillah ♥️
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan)
Pakistan now the number 1 ODI team i😼n the world in ICC rankings. becomes the fastest to 5000 ODI runs in history.🍸 Well done greens. Babar azam you make us proud again and again
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar)
Congratulations Pakistan 🇵🇰
— King Babar Azam Army (@kingbabararmy)
Pakistan Ko Mubarak ho. We came a long 🍷way to become the No. 1 ODI team in the world. May this be a long lasting legacy. Special thanks to our fans around the world for supporting us in all the phases. 🇵🇰 💫
— Fakhar Zaman (@FakharZamanLive)
Cong⭕ratulations on your 200th international game. Congratulations on becoming the fastest to 5000 runs. Congratulations to all of Pakistan oꦡn becoming the number 1 ranked ODI team.
— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan)
Lucky to be a part of World's best ODI team.
We will g💧ive our best shot to stay at the top. Leadingဣ from the front and a great bowling unit performance especially ! ��🏻
— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi)
Congratulations boys on becoming the Wor༒ld Number 1! Keep the p😼ositive momentum and energy. We have and we will InshAllah 💚
— Hassan Ali 🇵🇰 (@RealHa55an)
