New Zealand captain Kane Williamson made a resounding return to his team in their must-win ICC World Cup 2023 match against Pakistan in Bengaluru.
Batting at number three and entering the crease in the 11th over of the innings, the experienced batter formed a magnificent 180-run second-wicket partnership with Rachin Ravindra.
Playing in only his second match of the ongoing tournament after a match-winning 78* against Bangladesh, Williamson delivered a dazzling 95-run innings against Pakistan's formidable bowling attack in his comeback game.
Remarkably, the Black Caps skipper achieved a New Zealand record during his innings, surpassing former captain Stephen Fleming.
Williamson made his World Cup debut during the 2011 edition of the tournament. In his fourth World Cup appearance in 2023, the right-hander played his 25th match on the grand stage when facing Pakistan at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Notably, Williamson's latest World Cup performance elevated him above former captain Stephen Fleming, establishing him as New Zealand's all-time leading run-scorer in World Cup matches.
Out of his 6,727 career ODI runs, the 33-year-old has amassed 1,084 of them in World Cup matches, making him New Zealand's highest run-scorer on the grand stage. Fleming, with 1,075 runs from 33 matches, has now moved into second place in the list of highest run-scorers from his country in ODI World Cup events.
Earlier in the tournament, Kane Williamson scored an unbeaten 78 and led New Zealand to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Bangladesh. Due to an untimely injury, the cricketer was sidelined for his side's subsequent four fixtures until he returned to the playing XI for the crucial clash against Pakistan.