NZ vs PAK: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf Register Names in Unwanted Record Book

Premier Pakistan paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi had an off day with the ball against New Zealand in the ODI World Cup match at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Saturday. The left-arm pacer ended up wicketless for the first time in 24 ODI innings. In a do-or-die clash, the Pakistan bowlers faltered again riding on Rachin Ravindra’s 108 and Kane Williamson’s 95, New Zealand posted a mammoth 401/6 in 50 overs.

It was another poor day in office for the Pakistan pacers as both Haris Rauf and Afridi were smacked all around the park by the Kiwi batters.

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The two bowlers registered their names in an unwanted record book with Afridi leading the tally followed by Rauf as they become the Pakistan bowlers with the most runs conceded in a World Cup match.

Most runs conceded by a Pakistan bowler in a WC innings

• 0/90 – Shaheen Afridi vs NZ, Bengaluru, 2023
• 1/85 – Haris Rauf vs NZ, Bengaluru, 2023
• 1/84 – Hasan Ali vs IND, Manchester, 2019
• 3/83 – Haris Rauf vs AUS, Bengaluru, 2023

The worst previous World Cup performance by a Pakistani bowler was Hasan’s 1-84 against India at Old Trafford in 2019.

Meanwhile, young Mohammad Wasim Jr was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan with three wickets for 60 runs in his 10 overs.

On a dry-looking Chinnaswamy pitch, Pakistan entered the match with four fast bowlers and two part-time spinners and with rain forecast in the afternoon sent New Zealand in to bat.

In contrast, New Zealand brought in leg-spinner Ish Sodhi in addition to three other slow bowlers including an in-form Mitchell Santner.

Pakistan, needing a win to stay in the tournament, have never chased more than the 348 they achieved against Australia in Lahore last year.

Earlier, Rachin Ravindra hit his third century of the tournament while Kane Williamson just missed a hundred as New Zealand pushed Pakistan closer to World Cup elimination by piling up 401-6 on Saturday.

Ravindra continued his superb form with a 94-ball 108 with 15 boundaries and a six and was matched stroke for stroke by Williamson whose 79-ball 95 was spiced with two sixes and ten boundaries.

Brief Scores: New Zealand 401-6 in 50 overs (R. Ravindra 108, K. Williamson 95, G. Phillips 41; Mohammad Wasim 3-60)