Pak vs NZ: Records tumble as New Zealand batters thrash Pakistani pacers

BENGALURU: Many records were broken Saturday as Pakistan bowlers were thrashed by the Kiwis who scored a towering total of 401 in the 35th match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

The Babar Azam-led side won the toss and chose to bowl first against the Black Caps on Saturday in an important match that would decide the winning team's position in the semi-final.  

Highest target by Kiwis

The Black Caps, who were put to bat first, registered a massive target of 402 runs with the loss of six wickets in 50 overs against the Men in Green — their highest total in ODI World Cup history.

Highest total against Pakistan

On October 10, Sri Lanka scored 344 to record the highest World Cup total by any team against Pakistan but, 10 days later, Australia broke that record by scoring 367 runs, and now, after two weeks New Zealand surpassed Australia's score to post the highest total against Green Shirts.

Most expensive spell

Pakistan's star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, 10-0-90-0, bowled the most expensive spell in World Cup history as he conceded 90 runs in 10 overs. 

Haris Rauf had also conceded 85 runs in just 10 overs during the same match. However, Shaheen broke his record.

Most runs conceded by a Pakistani bowler

Haris Rauf has also conceded the most runs ever by a Pakistani bowler in a single World Cup. He has so far given away 469 runs in eight matches, breaking Wahab Riaz's record when he conceded 400 runs in the previous tournament.  

Wicketless Shaheen Afridi 

Also, this is the first time that the world's no 1 bowler failed to take a wicket in an ODI after 23 outings.

46 fours in an innings 

Pakistan conceded 46 fours in today's match which is the most they have in an innings in their ODI history.

New Zealand are currently fourth in the 10-team table with eight points after their opening four wins were followed by three defeats.

Pakistan, with six points, need to win to stay in contention for a semi-final place.