Nawaz & Haider Ali starred with the bat as Pakistan defeated New Zealand

Haider Ali and Mohammad Nawaz’s blitzkrieg innings helped Pakistan to win the tri-series title in Christchurch. The 56-run stand for the fourth wicket between Haider Ali and Mohammad Nawaz proved to be a significant difference.

Pakistan’s team has lost just one of their five games in the series and is peaking at the right time as the T20 World Cup is approaching.

Skipper Kane Williamson’s knock of 59 propels New Zealand to 163/7

Skipper Kane Williamson played a knock of 59 as New Zealand posted 163/7 in 20 overs against Pakistan in the final of the ongoing tri-series. Earlier, the 50-run stand between Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips ended in the 12th over.

New Zealand managed only 33 for 4 in their last five overs, with Harif Rauf showcasing his death bowling skills to restrict New Zealand.

Mohammad Nawaz, Haider Ali’s cameos clinch tri-series for Pakistan

Pakistan was 74 for 3 in the 12th over when Nawaz and Haider stitched together a match-changing partnership. Haider the first ball he faced from Ish Sodhi for six and then along with Nawaz scored 25 runs off Sodhi in the 15th over.

Babar Azam says the tri-series win is a confidence booster ahead of T20WC

Babar Azam: “The way our team played deserves all the credit. The bowlers were brilliant at the death. The way the middle order played was outstanding. Haider and Nawaz are outstanding, so we need to step up and perform. (On the wicket slowing down) It didn’t make me change my thoughts about the toss. The wicket played the same too. Going to Australia, we have good confidence.”

We are looking forward to the World Cup now: Mohammad Nawaz

Mohammad Nawaz, POTM: I just backed myself in both days. Tried to display what I’d practiced in the nets with a clear mind. Batting in the middle order has helped a lot, backing myself and going with the plan was key. (On the 15th over vs Sodhi) Haider helped with a couple of boundaries in the previous over. We used the wind and got the boundaries against him. The weather has been very cold, was tough to adapt from Pakistan and Sri Lanka. We are looking forward to the World Cup now.

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