Anderson survives big scare to help New Zealand post ODI win over Pakistan

Omnisports

January 31, 2016 2:17 AM

Corey Anderson survived a huge appeal before smashing New Zealand to victory in the third and final one-day international of the series against Pakistan.

___4626801___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___4626801___2016___1___31___13___coreyanderson-cropped_a7q1lmsw8fi31w8m35un8udv5

Corey Anderson survived a huge appeal before smashing New Zealand to victory in the third and final one-day international of their series against Pakistan and ensure the hosts completed a 2-0 sweep.

At a crucial point in the 38th over of the shortened 43-over innings, Rahat Ali sent a beautiful ball down the pitch and collected a big noise off of Anderson's wild swing and through to Sarfraz Ahmed behind the stumps.

However, umpire Billy Bowden was not convinced and Anderson remained at the crease, hitting two sixes off the next two balls to launch New Zealand towards their adjusted target of 263.

Pakistan were bowled for 290 after big knocks from Mohammad Hafeez (76) and Babar Azam (83), but afternoon rain saw play suspended for over 45 minutes, meaning the innings was reduced from 50 overs to 43 and the target adjusted accordingly.

Despite a golden duck for captain Brendon McCullum off a Mohammad Amir (2-39) ball, New Zealand's run chase got off to a good start.

Fellow opener Martin Guptill smashed 82 off 81 balls and formed a strong second-wicket partnership with fellow slogger Kane Williamson, who finished with nine fours and three sixes to post 84 runs off 86 balls.

Both were dismissed by Azhar Ali (2-37) and once Williamson was gone the wickets fell more regularly, as the hosts lost three for just 30 runs.

The dismissal of Grant Elliott (10) by Shoaib Malik (1-19) came as the players were forced off the field by the rain, and when Luke Ronchi came out to join Anderson in the middle, the hosts needed 53 off 43 balls to win.

Anderson survived his scare and posted 35, before being caught by Azam at deep midwicket, leaving it to Mitchell Santner (10 not out) to score the winning runs, which he did in style by knocking two fours.

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat but things got off to an ordinary start for the visitors, who were eventually bowled for 290.

Openers Ali and Ahmed Shehzad were dismissed for 15 runs between them after lasting barely five overs, but first drop and number four batsman Hafeez and Azam were more than up to the task of rebuilding the innings.

Azam entered the fray with the score at 20-2, but by the time his strike partner Hafeez left, it was a much more respectable total of 154-3.

Hafeez knocked five fours and five sixes on the way to an impressive 76, which Azam bested as he struck 10 fours and one six to build a crucial 83.

Azam survived Hafeez's replacement, Malik - who chipped in with a handy 32 - before being claimed by a Matt Henry ball which he slammed down Guptill's throat for an easy catch.

Henry had a decent day with the ball, taking 2-44 from his 10 overs, while Trent Boult also claimed the scalps of Shahzad and Malik to finish 2-60.

Milne took 3-49, including the tail of Amir and Ali, after he claimed Sarfraz Ahmed's (41) wicket.

Omnisports