New Zealand's Mitchell Hay Achieves A Rare ODI Feat

Mitchell Hay becomes the first New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter to remain unbeaten on 99 in One-Day Internationals (ODI). Overall, he is just the third wicketkeeper in the world to achieve this and the first in over a decade. He achieved this feat in the second ODI against Pakistan at Seddon Park, Hamilton, on April 2 (Wednesday).

Wicketkeeper-batters to remain unbeaten on 99 in ODIs:

Andy Flower (ZIM) vs Australia, Harare, 1999

Swapnil Patil (UAE) vs Scotland, Lincoln, 2014

Mitchell Hay (NZ) vs Pakistan, Hamilton, 2025

In fact, Hay is just the second batter from New Zealand after Bruce Edgar (vs India in 1981) to remain unbeaten on 99 in the 50-over format. Playing his sixth ODI, this was also Hay's first half-century at the international level, beating his previous best of 49 against Sri Lanka in Pallekele last year.

Coming in to bat at seven, Hay smashed 99* off just 78 deliveries, which included seven fours and as many sixes. He put on 77 off 80 with Muhammad Abbas (41) and then was involved in quickfire stands with Nathan Smith, Bean Sears and Jacob Duffy to take New Zealand to a formidable 292/8.

Hay was on 77 off 72 heading into the final over of the innings. He went 2,0,6,6,4,4 to finish on 99*. 

"It was pretty tough at the start. It was a hard first 20-30 balls, but we worked hard and put pressure on them. Starting against spin wasn't easy," Hay said after his innings. 

"Our communication was clearly good [on his partnership with Mohammad Abbas]. Mo was specific about the targets, and I think spin was a good match-up for him, not for me, though. The score on the board is nice, exciting for the bowlers to go up there in defence of the total. Was nice to get a couple off the middle, Seddon park is usually generous in terms of distance and was nice to clear a few of them over the ropes."

New Zealand have a firm grip on the series, having taken a 1-0 lead thanks to their 73-run victory in the first ODI in Napier. New Zealand and Pakistan still have one more ODI to play - in Mount Maunganui - on April 5 (Saturday). Ahead of the ODIs, the hosts completed a 4-1 T20 International (T20I) series win as well.