In a thrilling display of cricket, New Zealand triumphed over Pakistan by 84 runs in the second One-Day International (ODI) at Seddon Park on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. New Zealand set a competitive target of 293 runs, posting 292 for 8, before bowling out Pakistan for 208 in just 41.2 overs.
New Zealand's innings was anchored by a stellar performance from Mitch Hay, who finished unbeaten on 99 runs. His innings included a remarkable finish, where he smashed 22 runs off the final over bowled by Mohammad Wasim, showcasing his aggressive batting style. Hay's captain, Michael Bracewell, praised his performance, stating, "The way Mitch batted at the end was outstanding, and throughout his innings, to get us through to a competitive total.”
Pakistan's captain, Mohammad Rizwan, acknowledged the challenges his team faced throughout the match. In the post-match presentation, he admitted, "It is sore, but it’s part of the game. We didn’t do well today. We didn’t utilize the swing effectively, and New Zealand bowled very well.” Rizwan highlighted the disciplined bowling attack from New Zealand, crediting them for their effective lengths and pressure on the Pakistani batsmen.
Chasing a challenging target of 293, Pakistan's batting lineup crumbled under pressure, with early wickets falling at regular intervals. The top order was particularly fragile, as Abdullah Shafique (1 off 11), Imam-ul-Haq (3 off 12), and Babar Azam (1 off 3) were dismissed cheaply within the first few overs. The situation worsened as Mohammad Rizwan (5 off 27) and Salman Agha (9 off 15) also failed to make significant contributions, leaving Pakistan struggling at 32 for 5.
Despite a brief partnership between Tayyab Tahir (13 off 29) and Faheem Ashraf, who displayed remarkable resilience with a fighting 73 off 80 balls, Pakistan could not recover from the early damage. Faheem and Naseem Shah (51 off 41) did manage to form a crucial 60-run partnership for the ninth wicket, but it was not enough to save the innings. Rizwan lamented, "We lost key moments. Today, we didn’t perform well with the ball or the bat in the first 10 overs.”
Haris Rauf's unfortunate concussion after being struck on the helmet added to Pakistan's woes, forcing him to retire from the match. Naseem Shah, who came in as a concussion replacement, managed to reach his maiden ODI fifty, but ultimately, Pakistan was bowled out for 208, with Ben Sears claiming an impressive five-wicket haul on his ODI debut, finishing with figures of 5 for 59.
Earlier in the match, New Zealand had set the tone with a solid batting performance, led by their debutant openers Rhys Mariu and Nick Kelly, who put on a 54-run partnership. Mariu scored 18, while Kelly contributed a brisk 31 runs before being dismissed. As wickets fell at regular intervals, it was Mitch Hay's explosive innings that propelled New Zealand to a formidable total. He hit seven fours and seven sixes during his innings, demonstrating his ability to accelerate the scoring when needed.
Pakistan's bowlers did manage to take key wickets, with Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Mohammad Wasim Jr. contributing to the effort. However, they could not contain Hay's aggressive batting in the latter stages of the innings. Rizwan noted, "Credit to Mitch Hay as well; the way he batted was amazing.”
With this victory, New Zealand has taken a commanding lead in the series, having already won the first ODI by 73 runs. The final match of the series will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Mount Maunganui, where Pakistan will look to avoid a clean sweep and regain some pride after two disappointing outings.
As the series progresses, both teams will be keen to make adjustments. Rizwan mentioned, "We don’t know much about the pitch in Tauranga, but we’ll have to adapt.” The upcoming match promises to be an exciting contest as Pakistan aims to bounce back against a confident New Zealand side.
