New Zealand had won the toss and decided to bat first while New Zealand scored 147-8 after the 20 overs and Pakistan chased down the target very easily with 10 balls to spare and 6 wickets in hand.
In the second game of the tri-series, New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first. Black Caps batters were struggling with the bat and couldn’t find enough partnerships to put some high runs on the board.
Devon Conway and Kane Williamson made a 61-run partnership off 52 balls. The pacers cramped New Zealand for room during the fielding restrictions, while Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz kept things tight during the middle.
A one-over blip, during which Mark Chapman hammered Nawaz for 22, threatened to see New Zealand claw back some ground they had lost, only for the visitors to hit back and ensure there would be no further shift in momentum.
The last three overs saw 17 runs scored with five wickets lost, by which stage New Zealand was dragging.
Aside from that 22-run over, not once did New Zealand score 12 runs or more in any over, making it difficult to catch up to what the par score might have been.
Rauf, Dahani, Wasim, and Shadab’s 15 combined overs went for just 91, while even the one over Iftikhar bowled cost Pakistan only five. There was simply no place to hide.
A day after Bangladesh had been given short shrift, another near-flawless bowling performance against a rusty, stilted New Zealand batting lineup saw the hosts restricted to 147 with Haris Rauf yet again the star
Everything seemed to fall into place after Rizwan and Masood both fell toward the end of the powerplay. It prompted the Shadab Khan first-ever promotion to No.4 with Pakistan, and in the absence of the high pace of Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne, it was a very fruitful match-up.
Tickner was slashed through the point first ball he faced, before Ish Sodhi’s first ball was hammered over cow corner and out of the stadium.
In all, Shadab scored 34 off 22 balls to ease any pressure in a fairly small chase, allowing his teammates to cruise along at a much more sedate pace.
The option he gives Pakistan would appear to add another dimension to their batting, though how frequently they deem fit to utilize it is very much an open question.
Babar Azam steered Pakistan’s chase with an effortless, unbeaten 53-ball 79. Quickfire cameos from Shdab Khan and Haider Ali helped Pakistan seal the win with 10 balls to spare.
“We started well with the bat. Rizwan and I wanted to utilize the first six overs. We have a plan to utilize Shadab the order to use his skills. He applied himself very well. I told him I’ll go all the way and Shadab would take the chances. When we settled down to see the wicket and conditions, I planned to play till the end. (Surface?) A little bit different due to dew, maybe a little bit spinners are finding it hard due to the dew”
says Babar Azam.
“Certainly wasn’t polished. Bit scrappy. We came up against quality opposition. Pakistan was clinical and it was hard to get a rhythm. If we got two big overs there, the total would’ve been competitive. (Toss decision) We didn’t think it would be this wet, since temperatures were close. (Lack of fluency in the batting?) It was not a surface you could get the easy rhythm. Chapman came in and took the match-ups on, it was an outstanding inning. It was tough to time, even in the second innings. At the same time, Pakistan was outstanding. (Uncharacteristic fielding performance) We pride ourselves in that area. Need to just switch on and hopefully, a few learnings going into tomorrow night. The guys are feeling good, and we know it’s a tough match tomorrow. The same surface, looking forward to tomorrow”
said Kane Williamson.