New Zealand canter to victory in 2nd ODI despite record 9th wicket Zimbabwean partnership

Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza plays a cut shot during the 2nd ODI against New Zealand

The visiting New Zealand side won the 2nd ODI against Zimbabwe to level the 3-match series, courtesy a confident chase by openers Martin Guptill (116 off 138 balls) and Tom Latham (110 off 116 balls). Latham brought up his maiden ODI ton and Guptill his 8th one, as the two accomplished the record opening stand for the Kiwis against Zimbabwe.

New Zealand chased down the target of 236 in 42.2 overs, without the loss of a single wicket.

This is the highest target successfully chased with 10 wickets in hand in ODI cricket – the previously standing record was when 230 was chased by Sri Lanka vs England at Colombo in 2011. This is the 7th time in ODI cricket history both openers have scored centuries while chasing, the last occasion also being in the 2011 match.

Earlier, Sikandar Raza's 3rd ODI ton made the bulk of the Zimbabwe innings, as the Pakistani-born batsman ran out of partners throughout. Raza arrived at the crease with Zimbabwe struggling at 68/5, and hit 100 not out from 95 balls to guide the hosts to 235/9.

He became just the 13th man in ODI history and the first from Zimbabwe to score a century batting No.7 or lower in the order. MS Dhoni is the only batsman to score 2 such 100s.

The stand of 89 of 79 balls between Sikander Raza and seamer Tineshe Panyangara, which carried Zimbabwe to a respectable total, was the highest 9th wicket partnership in Zimbabwe's history, and the 12th highest in ODI cricket history.

Ish Sodhi’s 3/38 off 10 overs was the best bowling figures of the day.

Important statistics

Record 9th wicket partnership for Zimbabwe – The stand of 89 of 79 balls between Sikander Raza and seamer Tineshe Panyangara carried Zimbabwe to a respectable total, with Panyangara run out off the final ball for his highest ODI score of 33.

This was the highest 9th wicket partnership in Zimbabwe's history, and the 12th highest in ODI cricket history. Raza and Panyangara's partnership overtakes the 55-run stand between Kevin Curran and Peter Rawson against West Indies way back in World Cup 1983, breaking a 22-year-old record.

The highest 9th wicket ODI partnership (132) is held by Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga. Interestingly, the 2nd highest 9th wicket partnership (126*) in ODIs was between Kapil Dev and Syed Kirmani, accomplished in a must-win match against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup.

Fastest Zimbabwean to 1000 ODI runs – Craig Ervine (31 innings) became the 2nd fastest Zimbabwe player after Neil Johnson (28 innings) to reach 1000 ODI runs.The 3rd fastest Zimbabwean to the landmark figure happens to the centurion on the day, Sikandar Raza (33 innings).

Fastest Kiwi to 4000 ODI runs – Martin Guptill became the fastest New Zealand batsman (112 innings) to complete 4000 ODI runs, becoming only the 10th batsman in the country's history to reach the figure. He edges Nathan Astle, who took 120 innings to reach this landmark.

That's it. NZ effect a ten wicket win to level the series at 1-1. Series decider next on Friday. #ZimTurnUp

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) August 4, 2015

This is the highest opening partnership at Harare with the previous record being 228. New Zealand win by 10 wickets. #ZIMvNZ

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) August 4, 2015