Devon Conway paired up with skipper Kane Williamson to help New Zealand bounce back from opening defeat and jolt Pakistan by 79 runs in the second ODI in Karachi on Wednesday (January 11).
While Conway hammered a scintillating 101 off 92, captain Kane notched up 85 off 100 to help Kiwi post a total of 261. In reply, Pakistan got off to a shaky start and could only post 182 before going down to the hosts which left the series locked at 1-1 with a match to spare.
Opting to bat first, New Zealand lost their opener Finn Allen early in the innings. However, Williamson and Conway took up the mantle and bolstered Kiwis' innings riding on the 181-run partnership stand for the second wicket. Conway got dismissed soon after scoring his century, thanks to Muhammad Nawaz’s off-spin. Nawaz rattled the hosts with a four-wicket burst as the visitors gave away their four wickets for mere 16 runs in five overs.
Mitchell Santner scored a useful 37 to steer New Zealand to a decent total of 261. In reply, Pakistan lost both openers early when their scoreboard read 9/2. The dazzling duo of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam tried to stead Pakistan's boat with a 55-run partnership stand. But soon the partnership was broken and their wickets fell like a stack of cards. Babar remained the highest scorer for Pakistan as he scored a valiant 114-ball 79 but failed to save his team from going down to the Kiwis.
Pakistan and New Zealand will play the decider on January 13, which will decide the winner of the three-match series.
