Opener Ahmed Shehzad hit a swashbuckling hundred and Shahid Afridi made a fiery 55 and took three wickets to lead Pakistan to a crushing 147-run win over New Zealand in the third one-dayer in Sharjah on Sunday.
Shehzad’s 120-ball 113 created the foundation of Pakistan’s biggest-ever total against New Zealand of 7-364 before they dismissed the Black Caps for 217 in 38.2 overs to go 2-1 up in the five-match series.
The win was Pakistan’s second-biggest win against New Zealand, just behind their 153-run win at Karachi in 2002.
“It is our strength to play aggressive cricket,” said Afridi.
“We played our type of cricket and took advantage of a good batting wicket.
“Ahmed (Shehzad) played a good knock and gave us an ideal start.”
Man of the match Shehzad’s knock was spiced with a dozen boundaries and two sixes while Afridi pulverised the bowlers with three sixes and six boundaries off just 25 balls.
It proved too much for New Zealand who were jolted right at the start with lanky paceman Mohammad Irfan (2-26) dismissing Anton Devcich (nought) and Martin Guptill (12) by the sixth over.
Captain Kane Williamson hit 46 while Ross Taylor made 31 during a stand of 45 for the third wicket but Afridi (3-37) had Taylor bowled while Haris Sohail dismissed the New Zealand skipper to leave them struggling at 4-115.
Sohail also had Jimmy Neesham (two) and Nathan McCullum (15) to finish with 3-45.
Luke Ronchi was the last man out, bowled by Afridi for 41.
“Pakistan batted outstandingly from start to finish and when we chased we were not at par,” said Williamson.
Shehzad’s innings helped Pakistan overcome the loss of regular skipper Misbah-ul Haq, who has been ruled out of the series due to a hamstring injury sustained in the second match.
Stand-in skipper Afridi and Sohail (39) ensured Pakistan did not lose sight of a big total with an 89-run stand for the fifth wicket off just 45 balls.
Sohail hit five boundaries and a six in his 28-ball knock.
Afridi’s whirlwind knock helped Pakistan collect 125 runs in the last ten overs.
The fourth and fifth matches will be played in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday and Friday.
