HAMILTON: New Zealand came close to winning the series after beating Pakistan by 21 runs in the second T20I at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday.
The visitors struggled from the start in chasing the 195-run target, losing both their openers, Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub, in the first overs for just 10 runs.
After two early exits, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman brought the Green Shirts back into the game by putting on a formidable 87-run partnership that saw them complete a well-deserved half-century in 24 balls with the help of five sixes and three fours. .
However, once Fakhar departed and fell victim to Adam Milne, the wickets began to fall and the visitors soon found themselves 125-6 in 14.3 overs.
Iftikhar Ahmed (4 off 8), Azam Khan (2 off 3) and Aamer Jamal (9 off 8) did not stay and help their side fight.
Again like in the first match, Babar Azam top scored for the Men in Green as he scored 66 runs off 43 runs with nine boundaries but his efforts went in vain.
Milne bagged four wickets followed by Ben Sears and Ish Sodhi who picked two each.
Earlier in the first innings, Finn Allen took New Zealand to a total of 194 runs as the right-hander played a quick-fire innings of 74 runs off just 41 balls, courtesy of seven fours and five sixes.
Allen’s brilliant start made it look like the home side could score a lot, but things started to fall apart once Usama Miro’s googly was removed in the 13th over.
The home side were 137-2 in 13 overs when Allen returned to the pavilion, but could only score 57 runs in the remaining seven overs after his departure.
Also read: Mohammad Rizwan becomes leading six-hitter of Pakistan in T20I
The Pakistani bowlers staged an excellent comeback in the match and managed to restrict the in-form Kiwis to 194 runs, a total they can chase.
Haris Rauf took three wickets in the 19th over to become Pakistan’s top scorer of the match. All the visiting bowlers, except captain Shaheen Afridi, picked up wickets.
Playing XI
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Aamer Jamal, Usama Mir, Shaheen Afridi (c), Abbas Afridi, Haris Rauf
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway (wk), Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Adam Milne, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears
