BENGALURU, India (AP) — Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson took on Pakistan’s four-pronged pace attack led by the expensive Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, and also didn’t spare the two part-time spinners.
Afridi, who recently rose to No. 1 in the ODI rankings, recorded Pakistan’s worst-ever bowling figures of 0-90 in a World Cup. Rauf was not far behind, ending up with 1-85. Hasan Ali (1-82), who came into the side in place of leg-spinner Usama Mir, also went for plenty.
Ravindra combined with Williamson for a 180-run partnership off 142 balls.
Both batters fell in successive overs, looking for big hits, but New Zealand’s middle-order kept on pushing with Glenn Phillips (41), Mark Chapman (39) and Daryl Mitchell (29) scoring at a rapid pace before Mitchell Santner’s 17-ball 26 not out led the team past 400.
“Quite hard to get our heads around this after getting that total,” said Williamson, back leading the side after fracturing his thumb against Bangladesh. “They (Pakistan) played exceptionally well, gave themselves every chance and got over the line … Zaman played beautifully (and) they deserved that result today.”
In the later game at Ahmedabad, Australia made 286 all out against England. Marnus Labuschagne hit 71 off 83 balls while Cameron Green (47) and Steve Smith (44) made useful contributions.
Chris Woakes, who picked up the wickets of Travis Head and David Warner inside the batting powerplay, took 4-54. Mark Wood (2-70) again finished with expensive figures.