ODI World Cup 2023 Twitter Reactions

‘Rain saved Pakistan’ – Fans react as Pakistan beat New Zealand by 21 runs via DLS method to keep their ODI World Cup 2023 hopes alive

Fans take to Twitter as Pakistan beat New Zealand by 21 runs via the DLS method to keep their semi-final hopes alive during the ODI World Cup game in Bengaluru on Saturday

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Sarah Andrew
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Fakhar Zaman (Source-Twitter)

Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, and Bengaluru rain saved Pakistan as they conjured up a huge win over New Zealand. The win in Bengaluru on Saturday meant that Pakistan now has won its fourth game of the ODI World Cup 2023. This massive win also means that the semi-final hopes for Babar Azam and Co are still alive. 

New Zealand on the other hand have stumbled onto their fourth loss in a row. The latest reversal has given a huge dent to the Kiwis' chances as the race for the top four is now going down to the wire.

Babar Azam chose to bowl first after winning the toss and made one change. Usama Mir was replaced by Hasan Ali. The Kiwis made three changes to their team with Kane Williamson, Ish Sodhi, and Mark Chapman coming into the playing XI.

Pakistan secured a massive win over New Zealand – 

Put into bat first, New Zealand managed to score a massive 401 runs in their 50 overs. Devon Conway began well by scoring 35 runs before falling to Hasan Ali. This got Kane Williamson to the wicket at number three.

The Kiwis skipper joined Rachin Ravindra and added 180 runs for the second wicket. Pakistani bowlers looked out of sorts against the rampaging duo. Rachin Ravindra scored his 3rd century of the ODI World Cup 2023 to make a brilliant start to his career. 

Kane Williamson was out for 95 when he was caught by Fakhar Zaman off Iftikhar Ahmed. Glenn Phillips (41), Mark Chapman (39), Daryl Mitchell (290, and Mitchell Santner (26*) helped the Kiwis cross 400. Mohammad Wasim Jr was the best bowler for Pakistan picking 3/60 from his ten overs.

Abdullah Shafique was out early after scoring just 4 runs before he fell to Tim Southee. Babar Azam then joined Fakhar Zaman as the two took the Kiwi bowlers to the cleaners. The pair added unbeaten 194 runs for the second wicket in just 141 balls. ‘

Fakhar Zaman scored the fastest ODI ton for Pakistan which came off just 63 balls. Babar Azam on the other hand began slow but began to show his class as he scored his 4th half-century of the tournament.

The first rain break saw the game halted for a good amount of time. Once the resumption took place Pakistan needed 342 runs from 42 overs. The second time around the rain was heavier and the game was called off with Pakistan 21 runs ahead on the DLS method.

Here’s how the fans reacted –