NZ vs PAK, ICC World Cup 2019: Neesham, de Grandhomme propel New Zealand to 237/6 against Pakistan

Neesham and de Grandhomme stitched the innings bit by bit when it really mattered for his team to propel New Zealand to a defendable 237/6 from 50 overs at Edgbaston

New Zealand’s Jimmy Neesham finished with a gutsy career-best 97* when it really mattered for his team to propel New Zealand to a defendable 237/6 from 50 overs at Edgbaston . Pakistan speedster Shaheen Afridi yet again proved why he loves playing against the Kiwi’s as he bowled a fiery spell along with Aamir to reduced New Zealand to 83 for five. Afridi rattling the Kiwi batsmen is no surprise as he averages just 10.83 against them with the ball in ODI cricket. After opting to bat, New Zealand were off to a miserable start. Mohammed Amir (1/63) struck with his first delivery. Martin Guptill (5) played that ball on to his stumps. Left-arm Afridi then swung into action, ripping apart the middle order. He began by dismissing Colin Munro (12), who was caught by Haris Sohail in slips, and then returned to send back dangerous Ross Taylor (3). Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed, who was called a pig by a fan, took a one-handed blinder, diving full-stretched on his right to hold an edge from Taylor. New Zealand looked up to skipper Kane Williamson for yet another rescue act but it was Neesham (97 not out) and de Grandhomme (64), who revived the Kiwi innings with their 132-run partnership. De Grandhomme's run out ended the fighting stand but Neeham stayed till the end and finished the innings in style by hitting a six off Wahab Riaz. He missed out on getting his maiden ODI century but his crucial knock, which came off 112 balls with five fours and three sixes, helped New Zealand stay in the game. The combo of Sarafaraz and Afiridi was at it again and this time Tom Latham (1) was consumed. Williamson (41) and Neesham added 37 runs for the fifth wicket before leg-spinner Shadab Khan (1/43) beat the Kiwi skipper and his edge was smartly taken by Sarfaraz. Nothing seem to work for Pakistan after that with Neesham and de Grandhomme building the innings bit by bit. They worked the ball around, stayed patient until it was time to accelerate and finally managed to help their squad put on a defendable total on the board.