World Cup 2023: Pakistan lose first warm-up match to New Zealand

New Zealand made a stunning start to their World Cup 2023 preparations as they defeated Pakistan in the first warm-up match of the mega tournament, set to start next week in India.  

Despite a splendid display by the Pakistani batters that helped the side to post a total of 345 runs on the scoreboard, the Kiwis chased down the target with a loss of just five wickets in Hyderabad. 

Earlier, skipper Babar Azam won the toss Friday and put Tom Latham-led New Zealand to bowl first.

Mohammad Rizwan top-scored for his side by scoring an astounding knock of 103 runs off 93 which included 11 boundaries in the first innings.

Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, was the second top-scorer as he scored 80 off 84 and with 10 boundaries.

Left-handed middle-order batter Saud Shakeel impressed everyone with a solid display with the bat. The 28-year-old contributed to 75 runs with nine boundaries at an impressive strike rate of 141.51.

Like in past ICC Cricket World Cup tournaments, the warm-up matches will consist of 50 overs per side.

However, these matches won't have ODI status because teams will have the flexibility to include all 15 members of their squad in the playing XI.

Squads

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young.

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, M Wasim Jnr, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha.