ICC T20: Pakistan too strong for NZ

Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 5 wickets to win their second match of the T20 World Cup today.

This was the second consecutive win and a tremendous performance by the Pakistan team.

It seems we are seeing a different Pakistan team who are playing like champions in this World cup.

Pakistan beat India in the first game by 10 wickets, it was the first time Pakistan defeated India in the t20 world cup.

Pakistan win toss, Rauf shines

Again, Pakistan started by bowling first and the decision taken by Babar turned out to be pure gold for Pakistan.

Kiwis were invited to bat first and started well but couldn’t be able to convert it into a big score.

All credit goes to Haris Rauf who picked up 4 crucial wickets of New Zealand and put them on the backfoot.

New Zealand would be disappointed with their performance.

New Zealand made 134 runs on 8 wickets in 20 overs.

Kane Williamson (25), Devon Conway (27), and Daryl Mitchell (27) were the highest contributors to the team.

Kiwis experimented with their batting by sending Daryl Mitchell in top order and James Neesham as a finisher in the middle order, but it didn’t work out.

Tim Seifert who has a 37.40 Avg against Pakistan could have been the suitable choice for the top order. 

Pakistan was in the game from the start as they picked wickets in regular intervals.

They didn’t give much time to Black Caps to settle and stopped them below 140.

Shaheen Afridi, hero of the last game was economical today and picked up one wicket and bowled a maiden over.

Kiwis make it tough for Pakistan

Kiwis didn’t make chasing easy for Pakistan as Southee dismissed Babar Azam (9) early in the innings.

Soon after losing Babar’s wicket Fakhar Zaman (11) was leg before by Sodhi.

Hafeez (11) who was looking in good touch caught by Devon superbly on log off.

Mohammad Rizwan (33) was on the other end did some damage but again Sodhi brought New Zealand into the game by sending him off. 

Boult did the rest for Kiwis by picking up the wicket of Imad Wasim.

Pakistan was struggling but the partnership of Shoaib Malik (26) and Asif Ali (27) brought Pakistan out of trouble.

This is where experience comes in handy, Malik took some time as he was aware that the target is not much and changed the game.

Pakistan needed a partnership and Malik guided Asif well under the pressure situation.

Asif Ali hit two sixes in an over off Tim Southee, ending New Zealand’s pressure on Pakistan.

New Zealand could have done better but Pakistan beat them in all areas today.

Haris Rauf who picked up four wickets got the award of Man of the match during the match presentation.

Pakistan will now take on Afghanistan on October 29 and would like to stick to the same winning momentum while New Zealand will take on India in their second match on October 31.