New Zealand began the preparations for the World Cup in style with a five-wicket win over Pakistan in a warm-up game at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Friday.
Southpaw and opener Rachin Ravindra (97, 72b, 16x4, 1x6) was the surprise packet for the Kiwis, chasing 346 to win, with some brilliant strokes on either side of the wicket. Later, the experienced Kane Williamson, who surprised many with his strokeplay and swift running between the wickets after being earlier ruled out of the World Cup opener, and Daryl Mitchell scored half-centuries before retiring.
In the final overs, the big-hitting Mark Chapman and James Neesham proved too good for the Pakistan bowling attack which was just not equal to the task right through the Kiwi chase.
Earlier, Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan cracked a brilliant century (103 retd., 94b, 9x4, 2x6).
Captain Babar Azam showed his class with a neatly-compiled 80 (84b, 8x4, 2x6) and southpaw Saud Shakeel (75, 53b, 5x4, 4x6) revelled with some extravagant strokes.
For the Kiwis, Santner (2/39) was the pick of the bowlers.
The scores: Pakistan 345/5 in 50 overs (Babar Azam 80, Mohammad Rizwan 103 retd., Saud Shakeel 75) lost to lost to New Zealand 346/5 in 43.4 overs (Rachin Ravindra 97, Kane Williamson 54 retd., Daryl Mitchell 59 retd., Mark Chapman 65 n.o).
