Vijay Raman
- Nov 4, 2023
- 4 min read

CWC 2023, PAK vs NZ: Fakhar Zaman's whirlwind ton helps Pak win by 21 runs (DLS)

Updated: Nov 5, 2023

CWC 2023, Pakistan vs New Zealand: Kane Williamson-Rachin Ravindra's 180-run stand, Fakhar Zaman's 126* and Babar Azam's 66* are top performances. Pakistan beat New Zealand by 21 runs as per DLS method and move to fifth place.

CWC 2023, New Zealand vs Pakistan_ Fakhar Zaman scored unbeaten 126 in rain affected game against New Zealand _ Walking Wicket (Images_ ©TherealPCB_Twitter) — Fakhar gets player of the match for his 126* (Images: ©TherealPCB/Twitter)

Brief Scores: Pakistan 200/1 (Zaman 126*, Babar 66*, Southee 1/27) beat New Zealand 401/6 (Ravindra 108, Williamson 95, Wasim 3/60) by 21 runs (DLS).

Player of the Match: Fakhar Zaman (126* in 81 balls)

New Zealand, after a string of defeats, took on Pakistan in what is a must-win game for both sides at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore in CWC 2023. The sides have faced each other 9 times in World Cups, with Pakistan coming out on top 7 occasions.

This match grew the gap even more as Pakistan won by 21 runs, thanks to DLS.

In this do-or-die game, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam won the toss and opted to field with Hasan Ali, who is returning for Usama Mir. Kane Williamson returns to the team after an absence for a few weeks.

Talking Points from New Zealand vs Pakistan game, CWC 2023

The major talking point should be the form of Fakhar Zaman since his comeback to the side. He was dropped for a large part of the tourney by the team, but he answered his critics with 2 back-to-back match-winning knocks (81 vs Ban and here 126*). This should give Pakistan a lot of confidence going into their last group game, as is the timely form of Babar Azam, who made a crucial 66.

New Zealand were off to a cracking start as their openers, Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway, made 65 runs in the first powerplay despite moisture on the pitch. Hasan Ali accounted for Conway soon after, but the comeback man Kane Williamson and Ravindra added 180 runs for the 2nd wicket, coming in just 141 balls, with Rachin scoring his 3rd century this World Cup. This gave the black caps a solid foundation, and their middle order took advantage of it effectively. They piled up 401 runs for the loss of 6 wickets, including 94 off the last 10 overs, with most of the bowlers going for plenty.

Pakistan, chasing a huge score, lost inform opener Abdullah Shafique early, but Fakhar Zaman, the other opener, proved to be the star for Pakistan in this pursuit. He and Babar Azam ensured that Pakistan are always ahead of New Zealand in the chase despite the rain break and the fact that Pakistan are facing a tall target. Their unbroken stand of 194 from 141 balls was enough for Pakistan to win by 21 runs, as rain didn’t allow the play to resume.

Top 3 performances from the game between New Zealand and Pakistan

CWC 2023, New Zealand vs Pakistan_ Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson added 180-run for 2nd wicket _ Walking Wicket (Images_ ©Blackcaps_Twitter) — Rachin, Williamson added 180-run for 2nd wicket (Images: ©Blackcaps/Twitter)

Rachin and Williamson stand sets the tone for New Zealand

After losing the wicket of Devon Conway post the first powerplay, New Zealand someone from the top to take the innings deep, and it was the pair of Rachin Ravindra & Kane Williamson who took the responsibility. Rachin had already scored 2 centuries in the earlier matches and has been in some form. Williamson was returning from a fracture, but the pair added 180 runs for the 2nd wicket, with the youngster smashing his 3rd ton and coming off only 88 balls. This stand ended when Williamson departed for 95, but not before laying a platform for the big hitters to launch.

CWC 2023, New Zealand vs Pakistan_ Babar Azam-Fakhar Zaman added unbeaten 194-run for 2nd wicket for Pakistan _ Walking Wicket (Images_ ©TherealPCB_Twitter) — Babar-Fakhar added unbeaten 194-run for 2nd wicket (Images: ©TherealPCB/Twitter)

Fakhar Zaman steals the show at Chinnaswamy Stadium

Bangalore is always known to aid stroke makers and is ideal for someone like Fakhar Zaman, who loves the ball coming onto the bat. Having made a strong comeback against Bangladesh at Kolkata after being dropped for a few games, Zaman came to his smashing best here at Chinnaswamy, delighting everyone with 11 maximums in his score of unbeaten 126 off just 81 balls and, in the process, registering the fastest World Cup century by a Pakistani in only 63 balls.

It seems like Zaman tends to score big whenever the chase is huge for Pakistan.

CWC 2023, New Zealand vs Pakistan_ Babar Azam scored unbeaten 66 in rain affected game against New Zealand _ Walking Wicket (Images_ ©TherealPCB_Twitter) — Babar Azam scored unbeaten 66 in rain affected game (Images: ©TherealPCB/Twitter)

Babar Azam brings his A-game to the fore

After a disappointing outing in the earlier games in this World Cup where Babar Azam made only 3 50+ scores, the world's number 1 batter showed his class during his team’s daunting chase against New Zealand. He gave good company to Zaman in their stand of 194, with the skipper making an unbeaten 66 off 63 balls. This knock, in a way, helped Pakistan sail past the DLS target of 179 in the 26th over.

Statistical highlights from New Zealand and Pakistan game

Rachin Ravindra has hundreds (3) in a single WC edition for NZ. He went past Glenn Turner, Martin Guptill & Kane Williamson, who scored 2 hundreds each in the 1975, 2015 & 2019 editions, respectively.
The wicket of Devon Conway was Hasan Ali’s 100th in ODIs.
The second wicket stand of 180 runs between Rachin Ravindra & Kane Williamson is the second-highest partnership for this wicket for NZ in ODI WC.
Rachin Ravindra's tally of 523 now has the second most runs (523) in CWC 2023 behind Quinton de Kock (545).
401/6 is NZ's highest team against Pakistan in ODIs and their highest team total in ODI WC.
Fakhar Zaman scored a century off 63 balls, making him the fastest Pakistani batter to do so in World Cups.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 points Table

What to come and points table

Pakistan, with this win, makes the points table a lot more interesting, with 3 sides (Afg, NZ, and Pak) in the middle with 8 points. While Pakistan faces England in their last group game, 11th at Kolkata, New Zealand face Sri Lanka. These games should give us clarity on the Semi-Finalists.