Pakistan v New Zealand, 2014-15
Wisden's review of the second ODI, Pakistan v New Zealand, 2014-15
15-Apr-2015
At Sharjah, December 12, 2014 (day/night). New Zealand won by four wickets. Toss: Pakistan.
In Williamson, New Zealand had found a deputy around which to plan for succession. Standing in as captain for Brendon McCullum on the limited-overs leg, he delivered the kind of calm, controlled, innings you might expect from a leader. His unbeaten 70 drove New Zealand to what appeared, ultimately, a comfortable win. It did not look that way when they faltered in the middle of the chase, inexplicably gifting three cheap wickets to Haris Sohail, following a century opening stand between Brownlie and Devcich. But Ronchi helped Williamson reverse that bit of Pakistani momentum with some unpredictable shots in a 58-run stand. Williamson had been cleared to bowl his remodelled offspin, but did not feel the need, as the seamers accounted for all ten wickets in the absence of Trent Boult and Tim Southee. Henry and Milne were accurate and intelligent enough to know how to bowl on such a slow surface. Milne was very quick too - although he received a reprimand for using bad language in a send-off to Shahid Afridi.
Man of the Match: K. S. Williamson.
In Williamson, New Zealand had found a deputy around which to plan for succession. Standing in as captain for Brendon McCullum on the limited-overs leg, he delivered the kind of calm, controlled, innings you might expect from a leader. His unbeaten 70 drove New Zealand to what appeared, ultimately, a comfortable win. It did not look that way when they faltered in the middle of the chase, inexplicably gifting three cheap wickets to Haris Sohail, following a century opening stand between Brownlie and Devcich. But Ronchi helped Williamson reverse that bit of Pakistani momentum with some unpredictable shots in a 58-run stand. Williamson had been cleared to bowl his remodelled offspin, but did not feel the need, as the seamers accounted for all ten wickets in the absence of Trent Boult and Tim Southee. Henry and Milne were accurate and intelligent enough to know how to bowl on such a slow surface. Milne was very quick too - although he received a reprimand for using bad language in a send-off to Shahid Afridi.
Man of the Match: K. S. Williamson.