Rachin Ravindra’s record-breaking century has set New Zealand ablaze with a staggering target of 402 runs against Pakistan. Pakistan’s decision to field first after winning the toss initially seemed strategic, but New Zealand had other plans. The audacious move of promoting Rachin Ravindra to open alongside Devon Conway turned out to be a masterstroke. The duo came out all guns blazing, and Hasan Ali’s early wicket of Conway for 35 couldn’t dampen their spirits.
Rachin Ravindra, the 2023 World Cup sensation, once again proved his mettle by reaching his half-century in just the 20th over, marking his third fifty in this debut World Cup. The astonishing feat didn’t end there. He forged a formidable partnership with skipper Kane Williamson, who contributed a substantial 95 runs.
In the 34th over, Ravindra etched his name in history as the first player to achieve a remarkable three centuries in their debut World Cup. But the plot thickened as Williamson fell victim to Iftikhar Ahmed’s precision in the 35th over, just shy of a century.
His innings finally came to an end at 108, courtesy of Mohammad Wasim Jr. Nevertheless, New Zealand continued to apply relentless pressure with Mitchell and Chapman holding the fort. Mitchell’s departure at 29 and Chapman’s exit at 39 did little to quell the Kiwis’ fiery innings.
Glenn Phillips stepped up to the plate with 42 crucial runs, propelling New Zealand closer to the 400-plus mark. The climax arrived in the final over, where Mitchell Santner’s massive six catapulted New Zealand past the 400-run milestone, setting a mammoth 402-run target for Pakistan.
Mohammad Wasim Jr. emerged as Pakistan’s standout bowler, concluding the innings with three crucial wickets.
As the race to secure a top-four spot in the World Cup reaches a fever pitch, New Zealand’s commanding performance and Rachin Ravindra’s record-breaking century have shifted the dynamics of the competition. With four wins and three losses, New Zealand is keen to bounce back after a devastating 190-run defeat against South Africa. Pakistan, meanwhile, revived their hopes with a vital seven-wicket triumph over Bangladesh, elevating their points tally to six.
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