DUNEDIN: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha acknowledged his team’s improvement in the second T20I against New Zealand but admitted that key areas still need work following a five-wicket defeat at University Oval here on Tuesday.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Agha noted that despite falling 2-0 behind in the series, there were positives to take from the game, particularly in the batting and fielding departments.
“It was freezing. But compared to the last game, this was a much better performance. We batted well, and our fielding was outstanding. The bowling had its moments too, but we need to adjust to the different bounce here,” Agha remarked.
Pakistan’s bowling struggled early on, as New Zealand’s openers ran riot during the powerplay. However, the skipper credited Haris Rauf and the rest of the attack for pulling things back later in the innings.
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“After the powerplay, we bowled well, and Haris was exceptional. But as a unit, we need to be better in the powerplay—both while bowling and batting,” he added.
After a crushing nine-wicket loss in the first T20I, Pakistan failed to defend 135 runs in the rain-affected second match, which was reduced to 15 overs per side. With the series now slipping away, Salman Ali Agha and his men have a lot to address before the third T20I.
It’s worth noting that the third T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand will be played in Auckland on March 21, while the final two matches are scheduled in Mount Maunganui and Wellington on March 23 and 26, respectively.
Following the conclusion of the T20I series, the two sides will face off in a three-match ODI series. The first ODI is set for March 29 in Napier, followed by the second on April 2 in Hamilton, while Mount Maunganui will host the third and final match on April 5.