Pakistan’s decision to field first after winning the toss raised eyebrows on a flat wicket, suggesting they had as much of an eye on improving their net run rate as they did putting points on the board. But as soon as New Zealand’s innings started, both prospects began to look like distant improbabilities. Devon Conway and Ravindra had started brightly, and Pakistan, who had somewhat curiously gone without either of their two legspinners or Mohammad Nawaz, found themselves turning to Iftikhar Ahmed’s spin in the sixth over.

New Zealand went after him too, and it was Haris Rauf who drew first blood with a short delivery that kissed Conway’s bat on the way through to Mohammad Rizwan. It brought Williamson out for just his second game this tournament, but he started like he’d never been away. The duo, on opposite ends of the spectrum in experience, were united in the comfort with which they negotiated a Pakistan attack that looked desperately toothless, with Babar Azam ringing the changes and struggling for respite from any corner.

They had long brought up their half-centuries, and were speeding towards three figures, turbocharged by a Hasan Ali over that saw 18 come off it as both approached the 90s. But there was to be no slowdown from either; with New Zealand hovering around 240 for 1, there was little need to stall momentum in pursuit of a milestone. If anything Williamson’s risk-taking increased to reckless levels; he nearly ran himself out three times while within touch of his century. Ravindra, meanwhile, smeared Wasim through the onside to get to 99, before a single brought up his third World Cup hundred in the city of his parents’ birth.

Brief Scores:
New Zealand 401/6 in 50 overs (Devon Conway 35, Rachin Ravindra 108, Kane Williamson 95, Daryl Mitchelle 29, Mark Chapman 39, Glenn Phillips 41, Mitchelle Santner 26*; Mohammed Wasim Jnr 3-60) lost to Pakistan 200/1 in 25.3 overs (Fakhar Zaman 126*, Babar Azam 66*; Tim Southee 1-27) by 21 runs (DLS method)

(Cricinfo)