PAK vs NZ: Shahid Afridi takes a dig at Babar Azam after Pakistan's humiliating loss to New Zealand

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi took a dig at Babar Azam following the Men in Green's disappointing performance in the third T20I against New Zealand. Shahid Afridi urged Pakistan batters to prioritize strike rate according to modern cricket demands in the T20 format.

The Babar Azam-led side suffered a crushing seven-wicket loss in the third T20I at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, April 21. The visiting team leveled the five-match series at 1-1, with two more games remaining. The series opener between the two teams was abandoned due to rain.

The Score Should Have Been Around 220 - Shahid Afridi

Shahid Afridi expressed concerns about the team's batting performance in the recent match. Afridi stated that Pakistan should have scored around 220 on an "excellent batting surface." He said that Pakistan batters should learn from Mark Chapman.

“On an excellent batting surface we didn’t make enough runs. The score should have been around 220. Well played Shadab, the rest of the batters should aim for better strike rates in these conditions and pitches. Good luck with the remaining games. Great inns by Chapman, a great lesson on how to finish a match!” Afridi wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

On an excellent batting surface we didn't make enough runs. The score should have been around 220. Well played Shadab, the rest of the batters should aim for better strike rates in these conditions and pitches. Goodluck for the remaining games. Great inns by Chapman, a great… https://t.co/Ep5lp1wkXy

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) April 22, 2024

As the T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, the Pakistan cricket team needs to focus on enhancing their shot selection and innovating their batting strategies to perform better in the tournament.

Mark Chapman Awarded Player of the Match for Exceptional Batting Display

New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell elected to bowl first. The Pakistan team posted a decent total of 178/4 in 20 overs. Shadab Khan, Irfan Khan, Babar Azam, and Saim Ayub contributed with the bat. Kiwi spinner Ish Sodhi picked up two wickets for 25 runs in his four-over quota.

Babar Azam (37 runs off 29 balls) and Mohammad Rizwan (22 runs off 21 balls) struggled to maintain a strike rate above 130. However, all-rounder Shadab Khan played a remarkable knock of 41 runs off just 20 balls, including four boundaries and two maximums, at a strike rate of 205.

New Zealand got off to a solid start in the run chase, with openers Tim Robinson (28) and Tim Seifert (21) putting up 42 runs for the first wicket. However, the home team made a comeback in the match as Naseem Shah and Abbas Afridi removed the New Zealand opening batters.

Mark Chapman and Dean Foxcroft added a 117-run partnership for the third wicket. Chapman secured his eighth fifty in the format. He scored an unbeaten 87 runs, including nine fours and four sixes. Foxcroft contributed 31 runs off 29 balls, with the help of one four and one six.

Chapman's stellar performance earned him the Man of the Match award as New Zealand leveled the series at 1-1. The Michael Bracewell-led team lost the second T20I by 7 wickets. The remaining two matches of the series will be held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on April 25 and April 27.

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