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ODI world cup 2023 Cricket

'Barish ne bachaya Pakistan ko' - Fans react as Pakistan beat New Zealand by 21 runs via DLS method to stay alive in 2023 ODI World Cup

Fakhar Zaman came out all guns blazing to notch up a quick-fire century, helping Pakistan pull off a record chase in Chinnaswamy.

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Mathew K
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NZ vs PAK (Source: Twitter)

NZ vs PAK (Source: Twitter)

Rain played spoilsport at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, but before that, Fakhar Zaman played a sensational innings to keep his team alive in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Pakistan beat New Zealand by 21 runs via the DLS method on Saturday, November 4. The Men in Green moved up to fifth in the points table, while New Zealand have kept the race for the semi-final still open with a fourth straight loss.

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Chasing a massive target of 402, Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam played brilliantly despite losing the early wicket of opener Abdullah Shafique. Zaman came out and went on a rampage right from the start, while skipper Babar Azam took the role of anchor. Although Babar played cautiously, he provided excellent support by stitching a match-winning partnership with the opener.

Zaman unleashed his beast mode and slammed the decision to exclude him from the opening matches. The 33-year-old smashed the fastest World Cup hundred by a Pakistan player to put his team well ahead on DLS before the rain came. Knowing the weather conditions well, Zaman and Babar played with great intent without losing any wickets. Zaman's 126* off 81 balls won the Player of the Match, while Babar remained unbeaten on 66 off 63 balls. 

Rachin Ravindra's scintillating century went in vain 

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Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra got off to a flying start. The two left-handers put on a 68-run partnership before Conway got out in the 11th over. Ravindra, however, continued his red-hot form alongside skipper Kane Williamson. Both made a mockery of Pakistan bowlers by adding 180 runs for the second wicket. 

Ravindra scored his third century (108 off 94) of the tournament while Williamson (95 off 79) missed out on a well-deserved century by just 5 runs. Pakistan got rid of the dangerous duo in quick succession, but their remaining batters did not hesitate to join the party. Daryl Mitchell and Mark Chapman made cameos. Glenn Phillips (41 off 25) and Mitchell Santner's (17 off 26) finishing touches took their team's score past 400.

Here's how fans reacted to Pakistan's win over New Zealand in the 2023 ODI World Cup:

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