The 79-run win over Pakistan in the second ODI here on Wednesday put New Zealand at the top of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League standings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand's win takes them to the top of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League with 140 points, leapfrogging both Pakistan (130) and India (139) courtesy of their win.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Kiwis also managed to bounce back from the six-wicket defeat from the first ODI and level the series 1-1. The series decider will now be played at the National Stadium in Karachi on Friday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Apart from the bragging rights of winning the series, the decider also has CWCSL implications. Pakistan could go past India and stand second in the Super League table with a win while New Zealand could extend their lead at the top, as per ICC.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
As a result of the loss, Pakistan (108 rating) dropped a spot in the ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings, falling to fifth behind India (109) with a point separating the Asian neighbours. New Zealand, on the other hand, continue their stay at the top of the table with a rating of 115.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Opting to bat first, New Zealand posted a solid total of 261. They had the second-wicket pair of Devon Conway and Kane Williamson to thank for it, who stitched a 181-run stand. Conway took the attack to the Pakistan bowling attack en route to his second ODI ton (101) while Williamson (85) was happy to play second fiddle.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The visitors collapsed thereafter, courtesy of Mohammad Nawaz's sublime spell of 4\/34. Mitchell Santner stuck around with a crucial knock of 37 to set Pakistan a target of 262.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In response, Babar Azam top-scored for Pakistan with 79 but was far from his sublime best during his 114-ball stay at the crease. New Zealand's decision to play three spinners paid off as they kept a leash on scoring.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With wickets falling consistently at regular intervals, the hosts failed to keep up with the scoring rate and eventually perished to the pressure of it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Brief scores: New Zealand 261 in 49.5 overs (Devon Conway 101, Kane Williamson 85; Mohammad Nawaz 4-38, Naseem Shah 3-58) beat Pakistan 182 in 43 overs (Babar Azam 79, Mohammad Rizwan 28; Tim Southee 2-33, Ish Sodhi 2-38) by 79 runs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With wickets falling consistently at regular intervals, the hosts failed to keep up with the scoring rate and eventually perished to the pressure of it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n