PAK vs NZ T20I: Babar ton aids Pakistan to thump New Zealand

LAHORE: Pakistan captain Babar Azam smashed an unbeaten century before Haris Rauf’s four-for stormed the hosts to a dominating 38-run victory over New Zealand in the second PAK vs NZ T20I at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

Set to chase 193, New Zealand could only amass 154/7 in their quota of 20 overs despite Mark Chapman’s half-century.

The touring side started off cautiously as their openers Tom Latham and Chad Bowes added 44 runs before spin did the trick for Babar-led Pakistan.

Shadab Khan trapped Latham (19) in his legs in the seventh over to draw first success for Pakistan while Imad struck out Bowes (26) in the next over to further dent New Zealand’s march.

Chapman then looked to soak in the pressure and stitched a fighting 33-run partnership with Will Young before Haris Rauf joined the party and dismissed the latter, who could score a mere nine.

The touring side kept losing wickets at regular intervals while Chapman held his ground firm with a valiant half-century and carried his bat all the way through.

His grit, however, turned out insufficient as the hosts halted New Zealand to 154/7 and thus claimed a comfortable 38-run victory.

He top-scored for New Zealand with a fighting 40-ball 65, which featured four boundaries and four sixes.

Haris was once again sensational with the ball for Pakistan as he bagged 4/27 while Imad, Shadab, Zaman Khan and Faheem Ashraf struck out a batter each.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan managed to accumulate a massive total on the scoreboard at the back of an unbeaten century by their skipper Babar Azam and a brisk half-century by Rizwan.

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Earlier, the opening duo, once again scripted a solid start for the home side; raising 99 runs for the first wicket before Rizwan fell briefly after amassing his half-century in PAK vs NZ second T20I.

Matt Henry, who tested Pakistan openers in the early phase of the innings, finally tested success in his second spell as he outdid Rizwan, who miscued one straight to Daryl Mitchel at mid-off in the 11th over.

He scored 50 off just 34 deliveries, hitting six boundaries and a six.

Rizwan’s dismissal filled New Zealand with momentum as their bowlers made three more quick strikes to produce a brilliant comeback in the middle phase.

However, Babar held his ground firm and stitched a valiant 87-run unbeaten partnership with Iftikhar Ahmed to get his side back on track for a massive total.

Iftikhar supported his skipper with a sensible 19-ball 33 while Babar, switched gears at the death to bring up his third T20I century.

He top-scored for his side with an unbeaten 101 off just 58 deliveries, laced up with 11 boundaries and three sixes.

For New Zealand, Henry led the way with two wickets while Rachin Ravindra and James Neesham made one scalp each.