PAK vs NZ scorecard, 2nd T20I highlights: Pakistan take 1-0 lead with thumping win
Published - 20 Apr 2024, 10:54 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:10 AM
Pakistan, on Saturday (April 20), thrashed New Zealand by seven wickets in the second T20I to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Set a target of just 91 runs, Pakistan chased down the modest total inside 13 overs by losing three wickets.
The Men in Green started their chase on a poor note as opener Saim Ayub was out for just four runs in the very first over. Ben Lister sent him back to give the Black Caps a much-needed early breakthrough. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, however, did not let Pakistan capitalise on the early breakthrough.
The duo steadied the ship with a 37-run stand for the second wicket. Captain Michael Bracewell broke the stand by dismissing his Pakistan counterpart in the fifth over. Babar departed after scoring 14 runs off 13 balls. Usman Khan could not do much with the bat in his maiden innings for Pakistan and was out for just 7 as the hosts were reduced to 56 for 3.
Rizwan and Irfan Khan then shared an unbeaten stand of 36 runs to take Pakistan home. Rizwan remained unbeaten on 45 off 34 balls with the help of five fours and a six. Irfan, on the other hand, scored run-a-ball 18.
PAK vs NZ: NZ innings
Earlier in the game, Pakistan bowled out New Zealand for a paltry total of 90 runs. Babar Azam's decision to bowl first was completely justified by his bowlers as Pakistan never really gave New Zealand the opportunity to lay the foundation for a good total.
Shaheen Afridi gave Pakistan a flying start by dismissing Tim Seifert for 12 runs in the third over before Mohammad Amir sent back Tim Robinson for 4 to reduce New Zealand to 22 for 2 in the fourth over. The Black Caps lost another wicket before the end of the powerplay as Amir dismissed Dean Foxcroft for just 13 runs in the sixth over.
Even the experienced players such as Mark Chapman (19) and James Neesham (1) could not bail New Zealand out of trouble as the visitors found themselves reeling at 50 for 5 in the ninth over. The tourists kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bowled out for 90 runs in the 19th over.
Chapman's 19 runs were the best effort with the bat from the New Zealand side as none of the players could touch the 20-run mark. For Pakistan, their former captain Afridi starred with the ball, taking 3 for 13 while Amir, Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan claimed two wickets apiece.
Pakistan vs New Zealand scorecard:
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