The first ODI match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium included an outstanding effort from Naseem Shah.
After the first six ODIs, he now owns the record for the most wickets. He has taken 20 wickets in his first six One Day Internationals, breaking Matt Henry’s previous record of 19 wickets.
Despite the batting-friendly surface, which made it difficult for most bowlers to contain the New Zealand batsmen, Shah was able to restrict the scoring to just 29 runs in his 10 overs while also taking two significant wickets.
As Naseem bowled with pace and accuracy, his control and accuracy were clearly on display, making it difficult for the New Zealand batsmen to score runs easily.
Naseem Shah’s Remarkable Bowling
He kept his length and line tight throughout his entire spell, leaving the batters in suspense and forcing them to take chances.
The pitch’s capacity to generate movement was one of Naseem’s spell’s highlights. The ball swung both ways off his magnificent seam delivery, which was too good for the New Zealand batsmen to handle.
He also bowled a mixture of short and full deliveries, varying his pace and length, which made it tough for the batsmen to settle down.
Naseem Shah was on point in his first spell ????
Unlucky to not get a wicket #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/23HObzHyaL
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) April 27, 2023
Despite bowling brilliantly in his first spell, Naseem was unable to pick up a wicket. But in the last over, when he struck Rachin Ravindra with his second to last delivery of the stint, he was rewarded.
On the final ball of New Zealand’s innings, Naseem clean bowled Adam Milne for his second wicket, which was similarly remarkable.
Double-strike ⚡@iNaseemShah closes out the innings with a bang ????#PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/YfcSKvmDal
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 27, 2023
Given that the majority of the other bowlers had difficulty on the surface, Shah’s performance was all the more impressive. With the exception of Agha Salman (2 overs), he was the only bowler to allow fewer than 30 runs during the game, and his economy rate of 2.90 was the best of all bowlers.
His play was crucial in keeping New Zealand, who briefly appeared poised to score more than 300 runs, to 288-7.
To read our blog on “New World Record set by Naseem Shah in first four ODIs,” click here.
