NZ vs PAK Scorecard, 2nd T20I Highlights: Finn Allen, Adam Milne Guide New Zealand To A 21-Run Victory

New Zealand beat Pakistan by 21 runs in the second T20I of the ongoing five-match series in Hamilton on Sunday, January 14. The Kane Williamson-led New Zealand team successfully defended a total of 194 runs, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the T20I series.

Pakistan skipper Shaheen Afridi won the toss and opted to bowl first in the second match. The visitors retained the same lineup from the previous match, while the hosts made one change. Mitchell Santner returned to the team after missing the first game due to COVID-19.

NZ vs PAK Scorecard, 2nd T20I Highlights: New Zealand Register 21-Run Victory

Young opener Finn Allen played an aggressive knock, guiding the team to a formidable total of 194/8 in the first innings. Allen scored 74 runs off 41 deliveries, including five sixes and seven boundaries. Kane Williamson (26 off 15), Mitchell Santner (25 off 13), and Devon Conway (20 off 15) made notable contributions to the team.

Haris Rauf was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, concluding with impressive figures of 3/38 in four overs. Rauf was expensive with the ball in his first two overs but claimed three wickets and conceded only eight runs in his last two overs. Abbas Afridi bagged two wickets for Pakistan, while Aamer Jamal and Usama Mir each took one.

In response, Pakistan struggled at 11/2 after two overs, losing openers Saim Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan inside two overs. Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman stabilized the run chase by registering half-centuries. However, Milne broke the partnership by dismissing Fakhar, who scored 50 runs off 25 balls, including three fours and five sixes.

The visiting team lost wickets at regular intervals and was bowled out for 173 in 19.3 overs. Babar Azam scored 66 runs off 43 balls, featuring two maximums and seven boundaries. Adam Milne emerged as the key performer with the ball for the Kiwis, claiming figures of 4/33. Tim Southee, Ben Sears, and Ish Sodhi secured two wickets each.

Finn Allen And Kane Williamson Set It Up At The Top – Tim Southee

In the absence of Kane Williamson, Tim Southee took charge as the stand-in captain. Southee praised the team’s performance, acknowledging Finn Allen and Kane’s contributions with the bat. He highlighted the efforts of bowlers like Milne, Sears, and Ish Sodhi.

“A good surface, Finn Allen and Kane set it up at the top. Milne was outstanding, Sears is a young guy showing a lot of character. And Ish shouldn’t be understated, going for 20 in his first over but coming back strong with those wickets to win us the game. He’s always a livewire in the field. The wickets kept flowing in our innings towards the end, but the guys at the top had done enough for a win,” Southee said.

Brief scores: New Zealand 194/8 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 74 (41), Kane Williamson 26(15); Haris Rauf 3-38, Abbas Afridi 2-43) Pakistan 173/10 in 19.3 overs (Babar Azam 66 (43), Fakhar Zaman 50(25); Adam Mile 4-33, Ben Sears 2-28)

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