NZ vs PAK 2018: Ramiz Raja Reveals the Reason Behind Pakistan's Loss
Published - 09 Jan 2018, 09:09 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:10 AM
Former Pakistani cricketer turned commentator Ramiz Raja has revealed the reason for Pakistan losing the second ODI against New Zealand. New Zealand took a 2-0 lead in the five-match ODI series against Pakistan as they won the second rain-affected match by eight wickets with seven balls remaining. Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first. Mohammed Hafeez, Shadab Khan, and Hasan Ali scored well-made half-centuries with Hafeez being the top scorer with 60. Pakistan finished with 246/9 on board.
Lockie Ferguson was the pick of the bowlers, picking up three wickets for 39 runs. New Zealand was 64/2 in 14 overs when rain stopped play. The target was then reduced to 151 in 25 overs which the hosts achieved in 23.5 overs with Martin Guptill scoring 86 off 71 deliveries. Mohammed Amir and Faheem Ashraf picked up one wicket each. Guptill was adjudged the man of the match.
Raja feels that New Zealand’s ‘bouncer strategy’ worked which eventually choked the Pakistani batting line up. Raja also feels that the Kiwi fielding was the bonus point for the hosts which added the pressure on the Pakistani batting.
So NZ squeezed the breath out of Pak batting by executing a bouncer strategy mixed with great fielding and garnishing the act with spin sprinkling!! Too much on the plate for Pakistan to digest..
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) J<!---->a<!---->n<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->1<!---->8
Raja tweeted:
“So NZ squeezed the breath out of Pak batting by executing a bouncer strategy mixed with great fielding and garnishing the act with spin sprinkling!! Too much on the plate for Pakistan to digest..”
Follow more news about Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand 2018 here.
