COMMENT – Shahid Afridi equaled New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum’s record of the fastest half century on New Zealand soil by reaching his fifty off just 19 balls, with two fours and five sixes during his 65-run knock on Saturday. It was joint fifth fastest 50 in ODIs and third fastest by a Pakistani.
Shahid Afridi has scored both the fastest and the second fastest half centuries for Pakistan as well. Earlier, Afridi scored 50 off 18 balls against Sri Lanka at Nairobi on October 4, 1996. Afridi also score 50 off the same number of balls during his unbeaten 55-run knock against Holland at Colombo on September 21,2002.
Hafiz scored his maiden hundred in 61 matches by making 115 off 144 balls with 12 fours and two sixes. It was the 17th century for Pakistan against New Zealand in ODIs and fourth against New Zealand in New Zealand. Mohammed Hafiz’s previous highest was 92 against West Indies at Karachi on Dec 16,2006.
Pakistan recorded their second highest total against NZ in NZ by making 293 for seven in 50 overs. It was Pakistan’s fourth highest against New Zealand in ODIs .Their highest against New Zealand in New Zealand is 303 in 49.3 overs at Wellington on Janaury 17, 2004.
The third match of the six match series against Pakistan on Saturday was New Zealand’s 600th ODI match. India (764 matches), Australia (755 matches), Pakistan (731 matches), West Indies (637 matches), and Sri Lanka (615 matches) are the other teams to have played 600 or more ODIs.
