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New Zealand beats Pakistan by 5 wickets to take a 2-0 lead in the T20 international cricket series

Sport

New Zealand beats Pakistan by 5 wickets to take a 2-0 lead in the T20 international cricket series
Sport

Sport

New Zealand beats Pakistan by 5 wickets to take a 2-0 lead in the T20 international cricket series

2025-03-18 13:58 Last Updated At:14:11

DUNEDIN, New Zealand (AP) — Tim Seifert blasted 45 from 22 balls and Finn Allen hit 38 from 16 as New Zealand cruised to a five-wicket win over Pakistan Tuesday in a rain-shortened second Twenty20 cricket international.

Captain Salman Ali Agha made 46 as Pakistan reached 135-9 in a match reduced to 15 overs per innings after a delay for a wet outfield.

Shaheen Shan Afridi then bowled a maiden to start New Zealand’s innings. But Seifert and Allen hit seven of the next 12 balls for sixes as New Zealand launched an assault which helped them clinch the match and a 2-0 series lead with 11 balls remaining.

Seifert and Allen hit five sixes apiece as New Zealand sped towards its target. After the scoreless opening over Allen cleared the boundary on the first, third and sixth balls of the second over, then Seifert struck sixes from the first two and the last two deliveries of the next over as New Zealand raced to 44-0.

New Zealand began its innings needing 136 runs from 90 balls. By the end of the five-over power play that target had been reduced to 70 runs from 60 balls. New Zealand was 87-2 when Allen followed Seifert to the pavilion in the seventh over.

“There’s not too much conversation out there to be fair,” Seifert said. “It’s just about backing our skills and putting pressure on the bowlers when we can.”

Mitchell Hay made an unbeaten 21 to steer New Zealand home and Bracewell hit a four off Jahandad Khan for the winning runs.

New Zealand won the toss and was eager to bowl first on a pitch at the University Oval which had been covered and looked fresh with patches of grass.

Jacob Duffy, who took 4-14 in the series-opener which New Zealand won by nine wickets on Sunday, removed Hasan Nawaz with the fourth ball of the match.

The New Zealand bowlers were too full at first and Pakistan reached 19-1 before Ben Sears came on in the fourth over and dismissed Mohammad Haris with his first delivery.

Sears, who missed the Champions Trophy with injury, used bounce effectively and Haris sliced his first delivery to Duffy at third man.

Pakistan was 36-2 after the five-over power play.

Salman took 12 runs including a 75-meter (yard) six from the sixth over bowled by Jimmy Neesham, lifting Pakistan to 48-2.

But spinner Ish Sodhi dismissed Irfan Khan (11) and Khushdil Shar (2) with the fourth and sixth balls of the seventh over as Pakistan slipped to 52-4.

Salman stepped up the pace, taking 10 from the eighth over bowled by Sears and 13 from the ninth bowled by Sodhi which lifted Pakistan to 76-4. But he fell in the next over, caught by Mark Chapman at deep mid-wicket off Sears.

Shadab (26) took up the attack, hitting Sears for six in the 10th over while 14 came from the 11th over bowled by Bracewell. He hit a six and a four from Duffy in the 12th before holing out to cow corner.

Shaheen Shah Afridi made 22 from 14 balls as Pakistan added 25 runs from the last three overs.

“It was a better game than last game,” Agha said. “We batted better but we still need to be better finishers.”

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

New Zealand's Michael Bracewell reacts in the field during the ICC Champions Trophy final cricket match between India and New Zealand at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

New Zealand's Michael Bracewell reacts in the field during the ICC Champions Trophy final cricket match between India and New Zealand at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

CORAL GABLES, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 29, 2025--

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., (NYSE: FDP) one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, is proud to announce that its Rubyglow® pineapple—the latest in its extensive lineup of pineapple innovations—was awarded Best Food Innovation by the prestigious World Food Innovation Awards 2025.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250429145381/en/

Hosted by FoodBev Media, the World Food Innovation Awards celebrate breakthrough achievements in food and beverage, recognizing products that exemplify innovation, sustainability, and consumer appeal. Selected by a panel of industry experts, Fresh Del Monte’s Rubyglow® pineapple was honored as this year’s standout winner.

A registered U.S. plant patent, the Rubyglow® pineapple is the most exclusive pineapple Fresh Del Monte has ever brought to market. It’s a cross between a traditional pineapple and the deep red–skinned Morada variety, which is typically inedible. The result: a visually stunning fruit with a deep red outer shell and citrine-yellow flesh that offers a smooth, tropical flavor with low acidity. Retailing at $395, it represents the pinnacle of luxury in fresh produce.

“The exclusive Rubyglow® pineapple underscores our global leadership in the pineapple category,” said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fresh Del Monte. “We continuously strive to push the boundaries of agricultural innovation, and the Rubyglow® pineapple is a shining example of that commitment. We’re incredibly proud of this achievement.”

Rubyglow® pineapple joins a distinguished lineup of Fresh Del Monte pineapple innovations, including the vibrant Pinkglow® pineapple, the ultra-sweet Honeyglow® pineapple, and the climate-smart Del Monte Zero® pineapple—each developed to meet evolving consumer tastes while advancing sustainability and flavor. Together, these varieties showcase the company’s continued investment in high-value, premium fruit offerings.

The Rubyglow® pineapple took more than 15 years of R&D to develop and requires nearly two years to grow. Grown using traditional crossbreeding methods, it demands precision at every stage of cultivation. A limited seed supply and lengthy growth cycle contribute to its rarity and premium status. Since its initial launch in China—where it sold out almost instantly—the fruit has expanded into North America and Europe. Today, global demand continues to outpace supply, with waitlists forming worldwide.

Marketing Director of FoodBev Media and host of the ceremony, Daniel Bunt, emphasized the significance of this year’s awards: “This year’s World Food Innovation Awards has seen an incredible plethora of products and brands from across the international food and beverage industry. The turnout at this year’s Winners’ Ceremony is a clear indication of the industry's hunger for innovation, providing entrants into our awards with a dedicated platform to promote themselves at IFE, with an increase in engagement both online and in person.”

Fresh Del Monte invites fruit lovers, retailers, and industry partners to experience the award-winning Rubyglow® pineapple and explore how it’s redefining the luxury fruit market. For more information, please visit freshdelmonte.com/. To join the global waiting list, visit https://freshdelmonte.com/rubyglow/.

ABOUT FRESH DEL MONTE

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, as well as a leading producer and distributor of prepared food in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. markets its products worldwide under the DEL MONTE ® brand (under license from Del Monte Foods, Inc.), a symbol of product innovation, quality, freshness, and reliability for over 135 years. The company also markets its products under the MANN ® brand and other related trademarks. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Del Monte Foods, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Limited, Del Monte Canada, or Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is the first global marketer of fruits and vegetables to commit to the “Science Based Targets” initiative. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, Fresh Del Monte Produce was ranked as one of “America’s Most Trusted Companies” by Newsweek based on an independent survey rating companies on three different touchpoints, including customer trust, investor trust, and employee trust. The company was also named a Humankind 100 Company for two consecutive years by Humankind Investments, which recognizes companies that substantially impact areas such as access to food and clean water, healthcare, and digital services. Fresh Del Monte has also been awarded the SEAL Business Sustainability Awards four times in the last five years (2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025). Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is traded on the NYSE under the symbol FDP.

Fresh Del Monte’s Rubyglow® Pineapple Named Best Food Innovation at World Food Innovation Awards 2025

Fresh Del Monte’s Rubyglow® Pineapple Named Best Food Innovation at World Food Innovation Awards 2025

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