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 was𒅌 the chief architect behind the win as he smashed a scintillating century to he🍎lp 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 was the pick of the New Z꧃ealanওd 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 2🐼32 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🥰🥰. Hap💖py 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).
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
To see Pakistan on 🔝 has alwಌays been the ultim🍌ate dream 🤩
We’re the #1 ꦕODI team, Alhamdulillah. Onwards and upwards 🇵🇰🙌🏼
— Imam Ul Haq (@ImamUlHaq12)
In 52 years of ODI cricket, Pakistan had never been ranked No. 1 in the world. And then Babar𒆙 Azam became our captain Alhamdulillah ♥️
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan)
Pakistan now the number 1 ODI team in the world in ICC rankings. becomes the fastest to 5000 ODI runs in history. Well done greens. Babar♛ a♛zam 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)
Congratulations on your 200th in🐈ternational game. Congratulations on becoming the fastest to 5000 runs. Congratulations to all of Pꦗakistan on becoming the number 1 ranked ODI team.
— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan)
Lucky to be a part of World's best ODI team.
We will give our best shot to stay at the top. Leading from the front and a great bowling unit perform🔥ance especially ! 👏🏻
— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi)
Congratulations boys on becoming the World 🅺Number 1! Keep the positive momentum and energy. We have ꦗand we will InshAllah 💚
— Hassan Ali 🇵🇰 (@RealHa55an)
