Pakistan v New Zealand, 4th ODI 2023 [Image- Twitter]
Pakistan: 334/6 in 50 overs [Babar Azam 107 (117), Agha Salman 58 (46); Matt Henry 3/65 (10), Ish Sodhi 1/53 (10)] beat New Zealand: 232/10 in 43.4 overs [Tom Latham 60 (76), Mark Chapman 46 (33); Usama Mir 4/43 (10), Mohammad Wasim Jr 3/40 (8.4)] by 102 runs & take a 4-0 lead in the 5-match series.
Mohammad Wasim Jnr 3/40 (8.4), Usama Mir 3/43 (10)A record-breaking hundred from skipper Babar Azam and a 4-for from Usama Mir (4/43) helped Pakistan claim a comprehensive 102-run win in the 4th ODI against New Zealand in Karachi on Saturday evening.
The 102-run win helped Pakistan take a 4-0 lead in the 5-match series, and also the numero-uno spot in the ICC ODI rankings.
The win was set-up by skipper Azam, who was at his imperious best on Saturday afternoon, belting 10 fours in a largely chanceless 117-ball 107.
In the process, Babar proceeded to break Virat Kohli's record of being the fastest to breach the 5000-run barrier in the 50-over format, taking just 97 innings to claim the feat.
Azam was well supported by Agha Salman, who played a brilliant hand, smoking 2 sixes and 4 fours during his 46-ball 58.
The duo proceeded to add 117 runs for the 4th wicket before Salman was caught & bowled by Matt Henry.
Azam was eventually dismissed by Ben Lister in the 48th over, but power packed cameos from Mohammad Haris (17* off 8) & Shaheen Afridi (23* off 7) ensured that Pakistan were able to post in excess of 300- 334/6 in 50 overs.
Speaking of New Zealand bowlers, Henry (3/65 in 10) was the pick of the bowlers while Blair Ticker had a forgettable day at the office as he was taken for 74 in 8 overs.
Usama Mir spun New Zealand batters into a tizzy
Chasing 335, the visitors never really looked like getting anywhere near the target as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
Mohammad Wasim Jnr (3/40) started the slide with the dismissal of Will Young, before leg-spinner Usama Mir came to the party.
Mir and Wasim combined to wipe out the Kiwi middle and lower-order to eventually bowl out the visitors for 232 in the 44th over.
Skipper Tom Latham played a decent hand of 60 (off 76), while Mark Chapman showed some funk during his 33-ball 46 but, clearly, New Zealand needed more.
The 5th and final ODI will take place at the same venue on May 07.
 "Yash Mittal")
