Tom Latham-led New Zealand have not been able to register a single win in the five-ODI series. In the third ODI, they lost to Babar Azam-led Pakistan by 26 runs. In an otherwise ODI run chase, Cole McConchie impressed many with an unbeaten 45-ball 64 as he ran out of partners. McConchie also managed to break an eight-year-old ODI record for highest score by a number seven batter in an ODI run chase.
The previous record belonged to Papua New Guinea's Charles Amini who scored an unbeaten 61 against Hong Kong in November 2014.
McConchie is only the ninth batter to score a half-century at no.7 on ODI debut. Ireland's Curtis Campher, India's Krunal Pandya, Pakistan's Mohammad Nawaz, Afghanistan's Samiullah Shinwari, USA's Timil Patel, Zimbabwe's Gary Cocker and England's Luke Wright are other half-centurions on the list.
It is also the highest score by a New Zealand batter on ODI debut against Pakistan. Hamish Marshall held the previous record. Marshall scored 55 runs from 76 balls against Pakistan in 2003 in a losing cause.
Walked in to bat in the 36th over after Henry Nicholls' wicket, McConchie scored at a strike rate of 142.22 as the required run rate was climbing up. He hit six fours and two sixes in his innings. His strike rate is the second-highest on the list. Krunal on his ODI debut against England scored at a strike rate of 187.09.
Earlier, the 31-year-old Kiwi all-rounder was economical with the ball as well. The off-spinner’s maiden ODI wicket was Abdul Shafique who edged the ball to wicketkeeper Latham. He bowled his full quota of 10 overs and conceded 46 runs. He turned out to be the most economical bowler in the Kiwi lineup and restricted Pakistan to 287/6 after Latham won the toss and opted to field first.
While Latham rued the lack of partnerships in the run chase, he lauded Tom Blundell and McConchie for their half-centuries.
“We didn't get that partnership after the opening wicket and you need that while chasing. Blundell has been an incredible player and McConchie too had a good debut, bowled well in the middle overs and struck some big blows towards the end,” the BlackCaps skipper said in the post-match presentation.
Having lost the series already, McConchie is highly likely to be seen in the action again when New Zealand take on Pakistan in the fourth ODI at National Stadium, Karachi on May 5.
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