PAK VS NZ T20I: Pakistan, riding high on their recent successes, will aim for a third consecutive victory to establish an insurmountable 3-0 advantage in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. The upcoming match is scheduled to take place at the Gaddafi Stadium tonight.
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PAK VS NZ T20I Series
Pakistan has secured back-to-back wins against New Zealand, triumphing by 88 runs and 38 runs in the first and second T20Is, respectively. Despite losing both matches convincingly, New Zealand displayed promise in the second game with an improved performance.
They exhibited a fighting spirit and will likely strive to make a comeback in the upcoming match to narrow the lead established by Pakistan.
As the visitors find themselves trailing 0-2 in the five-match series, they face an uphill task of staging a comeback in the remaining three games.
However, New Zealand still has a chance to salvage the series, but it will require them to win all the remaining three T20 matches of PAK vs NZ five-match series. They will need to bring their best game to the table to turn the tide in their favor and avoid a series defeat.
1st T20I:
In pursuit of a target of 183, the New Zealand batting lineup faltered, collapsing for a paltry 94 runs in the 15th over, resulting in a resounding victory for Pakistan.
The pacers from Pakistan made a remarkable start, taking three quick wickets during the batting powerplay, leaving the visiting side reeling at just 29 runs.
After the early slump, New Zealand skipper Tom Latham and Mark Chapman attempted to stabilize the innings, stitching together a gritty 27-run partnership. However, the budding partnership was broken by Haris Rauf, who dismissed Latham for 20 runs off 24 deliveries.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan had a shaky start with their reliable opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan departing cheaply, leaving them at 30/2 in the fifth over. However, Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub turned the tide with a resilient 79-run partnership that anchored the innings.
Saim Ayub played the role of the aggressor in the partnership, while Fakhar Zaman held his ground firmly. However, Saim’s innings came to an end just three runs short of a half-century, as he was dismissed by a direct hit from Chad Bowes.
Saim scored 47 runs off just 28 deliveries, including four boundaries and two sixes, before departing. In the end, Pakistan managed to accumulate a competitive total of 182, thanks to the anchoring innings by Fakhar Zaman and the quickfire knock by Saim Ayub.
The victory was eventually sealed by Pakistan’s impressive bowling performance, which dismantled New Zealand’s batting lineup and secured a second continues commanding win in the New Zealand Tour of Pakistan.
2nd T20I:
In the second T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, Pakistan captain Babar Azam played a scintillating innings, scoring an unbeaten century, while Haris Rauf’s four-wicket haul led the hosts to a commanding 38-run victory.
Chasing a target of 193, New Zealand could only manage 154/7 in their allotted 20 overs, despite a half-century by Mark Chapman.
The visiting team got off to a cautious start with openers Tom Latham and Chad Bowes adding 44 runs before Pakistan’s spinners, led by Shadab Khan, made breakthroughs.
Shadab Khan trapped Latham (19) leg before wicket in the seventh over, drawing the first success for Pakistan, while Imad Wasim dismissed Bowes (26) in the following over, further denting New Zealand’s progress.
Chapman tried to hold the innings together and formed a fighting 33-run partnership with Will Young, but Haris Rauf joined the party and dismissed Young for just nine runs.
Despite Chapman’s valiant half-century and his efforts to steady the innings, New Zealand kept losing wickets at regular intervals. However, Chapman carried his bat all the way through the innings.
In the end, the hosts managed to restrict New Zealand to 154/7, securing a comfortable 38-run victory in the 2nd T20I of PAK vs NZ.
Overall, Babar Azam’s century and Haris Rauf’s four-wicket haul were the key contributions for Pakistan, as they clinched a dominant win in the second T20I against New Zealand.
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