Pandey fires India A to series win in New Zealand

Mount Maunganui, December 9 

Captain Manish Pandey led from the front with an unbeaten 111 to help India A to a series-clinching victory over New Zealand A in the second unofficial ODI here today. For the second game in a row, India won the toss and opted to field. George Worker (99) and Will Young (102) steered New Zealand A to a competitive 299/8.  

India A, who had comfortably chased down 309 in the series opener, made short work of the 300-run target this time, getting home with five wickets in hand and an over to spare. Besides Pandey, who smashed five fours and three sixes in his knock, Shreyas Iyer (59) and Vijay Shankar (59) also made significant contribution in the victory.

India A openers Shubman Gill (25) and Mayank Agarwal (25) got starts but failed to convert for the second game in a row. Iyer and Pandey then shared a 90-run stand for the third wicket to set the tone for the chase. After Iyer’s fall, Pandey stitched a 123-run stand with Shankar to ensure another convincing victory.  — PTI

Brief scores: New Zealand A 299/8 (Will Young 102, George Worker 99); India A 300/5  (Manish Pandey 111*, Shreyas Iyer 59, Vijay Shankar 59)