Worcestershire Rapids 2023 Vitality Blast overseas signing, Mitchell Santner, made essential contributions with bat and ball as New Zealand overcame Pakistan by 79 runs in the second ODI in Karachi.
Santner, who will be returning to New Road for a third spell, held the latter stages of the Black Caps’ innings together, after a major collapse, with a composed 37.
It helped New Zealand to reach 261 all out in 49.1 overs.
The left-arm spinner then made a crucial breakthrough with the ball, dismissing Mohammad Rizwan to end a third-wicket stand of 55 with Pakistan captain Babar Azam.
He ended with excellent figures of 10-0-34-1, and the Rapids’ other Blast overseas signing, Michael Bracewell, continued his fine form with 10-0-29-1.
Pakistan were dismissed for 182 in 43 overs, and the series is now level at 1-1 heading into the final game, also in Karachi, on Friday.
Dean Conway (101) and Kane Williamson (85) put on 181 for NewZealand’ss second wicket, but they had collapsed to 206-6 when Santner came to the crease.
He batted with great responsibility in ensuring New Zealand posed a competitive total, trying to hold onto the strike as much as possible in the latter stages.
Santner struck Naseem Shah for a massive 91 metres six over long on, and his 40-ball knock only ended when he was run out attempting a second run off the penultimate ball of the innings.
When Pakistan batted, they recovered from 9-2 thanks to Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
But Santner broke the stand with a superb delivery which hit Rizwan’s off stump after he had pushed forward.
He and Bracewell gave little away, bowling in tandem for a spell during the early part of the innings.
Bracewell accounted for Mohammad Nawaz, who was bowled after attempting a sweep, and the dismissal of Babar Azam for 79 ended Pakistan’s hopes.
