After electing to field, Pakistan did not start well with the ball against New Zealand. Kane Williamson was at it straightaway in his comeback match, anchoring the New Zealand innings with a 79-ball 95 that included 10 fours and two sixes. Rachin Ravindra, meanwhile, continued his rich vein of form, scoring his third hundred of the 2023 World Cup – 108 off 94 balls.

Pakistan’s choice of going with an all-seam attack of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, and Mohammad Wasim Jnr did not pay off as they ended up conceding 401 in their 50 overs.

With New Zealand sitting fourth on the points table and Pakistan sixth with eight and six points respectively, a victory for Pakistan will help them level New Zealand’s points tally while a defeat will knock them out of the World Cup.

However, New Zealand have a much superior net run rate of +0.484 while Pakistan’s net run rate is in the negative (-0.024). This is what they need to do in order to overtake New Zealand’s net run rate today.

How soon do Pakistan need to chase the target to overtake New Zealand’s net run rate?

New Zealand have set Pakistan 402. Simplistically put, they will have to score 402 runs within 35.3 overs if they are to overtake New Zealand’s net run rate after this match. However, there are certain caveats to it, as there always are with net run rate calculations.

Pakistan can afford to take a few extra deliveries if they score more than the exact target, that is, if they score more than 402.

Here are the maximum number of overs Pakistan can afford to take for each particular score they can achieve equal to or beyond the target against New Zealand in Bengaluru today:

402 – 35.3 overs
403 – 35.4 overs
404 – 35.5 overs
405 – 36 overs
406 – 36.1 overs
407 – 36.2 overs

Basically, Pakistan can afford to equal New Zealand’s score of 401 and hit a six by the second ball of the 37th over and still overtake them on net run rate to jump to fourth on the points table.

It might be a tough task, but stranger things have happened on a cricket field.

What are the revised NRR requirements after the rain delay?

A rain interruption in the 22nd over of the run-chase meant that the game was shortened to a 41-over shootout, with Pakistan’s revised target being reduced to 342.

Along with the target, the net run rate calculations have also undergone a revision. Following are the maximum number of overs Pakistan can take to reach or cross the revised target if they are to overtake New Zealand’s net run rate after this game:

342 – 26.3
343 – 26.4
344 – 26.5
345 – 27
346 – 27.1
347 – 27.2