Kane Williamson shapes to hit out, Pakistan vs New Zealand, ODI tri-series, Karachi, February 14, 2025. — AFP
Because the cricketing world gears up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, New Zealand star batter Kane Williamson shared his fond recollections of taking part in in opposition to Pakistan in an Instagram publish.
The ICC posted a video that includes Williamson reflecting on one among his most memorable moments in opposition to Pakistan — a spectacular catch to dismiss Abdullah Shafique within the 2023 World Cup.
Wanting again in the intervening time, Williamson mentioned, “In the moment, you’re just trying to focus on what’s important, where you need to be and try to get there as quickly as possible and keep your head nice and still and hope that it goes in — and on that occasion, it did.”
The clip featured Williamson watching his unimaginable diving catch from the New Zealand vs Pakistan conflict at Bengaluru through the 2023 World Cup. Operating again, the Kiwi prime order batter pulled off one of many catches of the match to ship Shafique again to the pavilion.
“It was nice to be back on the field. A finger injury felt insignificant compared to the knee injury, which took six months to recover from. Taking that catch, I kind of dug into the ground,” he mentioned.
Reflecting on that recreation, Williamson famous how rain performed a decisive function, with Pakistan pulling off a surprising victory through the DLS methodology.
“An incredible game that actually. Rain-affected, and we ended up getting 400, and then the shortened match, Pakistan chased it down,” he reminisced.
In that high-stakes World Cup encounter, New Zealand posted a mammoth 401 for six, with Rachin Ravindra (105) and Williamson (95) main the cost. Pakistan, in response, rode on a blistering 126 off 81 balls by Fakhar Zaman to stay forward of the DLS goal, securing a 21-run victory that stored their World Cup hopes alive.
The final assembly between the 2 sides was within the Tri-Nation Collection ultimate in Karachi on February 14, the place New Zealand secured a five-wicket victory. Will O’Rourke’s four-wicket haul and half-centuries from Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham led the Blackcaps to a cushty chase of 243 with 28 balls to spare.
Seeking to the long run Williamson mentioned: “Always a great atmosphere playing against Pakistan, and I’m sure that’ll be the same, certainly with them playing at home.”
Pakistan and New Zealand will as soon as once more face off within the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on February 19 in Karachi. The much-anticipated encounter will happen on the Nationwide Financial institution Cricket Stadium, following a brief opening ceremony to mark the beginning of the match.
