In a thrilling encounter during the 2011 Cricket World Cup, Pakistan faced off against New Zealand at Pallekele. This match witnessed one of the most remarkable turnarounds in a batting innings, with New Zealand stunningly amassing 92 runs in the last four overs, all credit to Ross Taylor who tore apart Pakistan bowling attack.
Yes, you read that correctly, a jaw-dropping 92 runs in the final four overs. From a seemingly modest 210/6 in the 46th over, New Zealand surged to a formidable total of 302 runs in their allotted 50 overs, all while contending with formidable bowlers like Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, and Shoaib Akhtar.
This contest vividly illustrated the immense damage a well-set batter can inflict in the last 10 overs when they find their groove. New Zealand, batting first at Pallekele, didn’t get the ideal start they were hoping for against Pakistan. Umar Gul bowled admirably, and he was the sole bowler spared from the mayhem, having completed his quota of overs before the onslaught began.
As New Zealand batted first, they found themselves in early trouble, slumping to 113/4 in 29.1 overs. At this critical juncture, Ross Taylor stood as the lone sentinel, surrounded by all-rounders who contributed valiantly. Martin Guptill fell victim to Shahid Afridi in the 29th over.
On a pitch where the bounce was scarce and playing shots through the line proved challenging, Taylor exhibited cautious resilience, responding to the situation’s demands. His first 50 runs were a grind, reaching a score of 69 from 106 balls.
A vital 50-run partnership between Ross Taylor and Scott Styris propelled New Zealand beyond the 150-run mark in the 36th over. While Pakistan maintained control over the game, the silver lining for New Zealand was that a well-set batter Ross Taylor was finding his rhythm, a promising sign for a batting team entering the crucial last 10 overs.
After Styris departed in the 42nd over, Taylor took matters into his own hands. Transitioning from 69 runs off 106 balls, Taylor blazed his way to a century in 117 balls. The Rawalpindi Express, Shoaib Akhtar, bore the brunt of Taylor’s assault as the New Zealander plundered 36 runs in just 16 balls, including three colossal sixes, all dispatched to the square-leg to mid-wicket region. Targeting the pads, Taylor swung his bat ferociously.
Taylor continued his onslaught against Abdul Razzaq, pummeling 36 runs off 15 balls, including three sixes, all aimed at the mid-wicket region. It was sheer mayhem from Taylor, as he concluded with a majestic 131 off 124 balls, with his final 62 runs coming in a mere 18 balls. His efforts were ably supported by Nathan McCullum (19 off 10 balls) and Jacob Oram (25 off 9 balls).
Remarkably, Ross Taylor became the first batter in history to celebrate his birthday by scoring a century in a World Cup match. On the day he turned 27, he crafted a magnificent century against Pakistan in a World Cup encounter.
