In the 2nd ODI match against Pakistan at Pindi Cricket Stadium, New Zealand lost the toss and were set to bat by the hosts, who chose to bowl first after winning the first match. Despite playing on away turf, the Kiwis made a decent start, but a funny incident caused a brief stop in play, causing amusement for rival fans and perhaps embarrassment for home team supporters.
During the start of the match, the 30-yard circle – a crucial element in field restrictions – was incorrectly measured, leading the umpires to halt the game until the mistake was corrected. It was a rare sight in cricket and became a popular topic on social media, even competing with the ongoing IPL match between Gujarat Titans and Kolkata Knight Riders. Nonetheless, Pakistan continued to assert their dominance at home.
The Kiwis are in a must-win situation in this 5-match ODI series, as falling behind by a 2-0 margin would be difficult to overcome. Despite missing some key players, they cannot make excuses and need to perform at their best.
With the upcoming 50-over World Cup in India, this series holds significant importance for both sides. Whether Pakistan will participate in the tournament remains to be seen. Regardless, both teams will be focused on securing a victory in this game, as it could have a significant impact on the series.
If the hosts emerge victorious, they could potentially wrap up the series in the 3rd ODI, but if the visitors prevail, a tough fight is expected to ensue. We’ll have to wait and see what happens!
