In an exhilarating display of T20 cricket, New Zealand triumphed over Pakistan by 7 wickets in the third T20 International at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, drawing the five-match series to 1-1.
The match witnessed some high-quality performances with the visitors chasing down a challenging target with confidence and finesse.
Electing to bowl first after winning the toss, the Kiwi bowlers were tasked with containing Pakistan’s deep batting lineup. Pakistan, batting first, posted a competitive total of 178/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Shadab Khan, coming in at a crucial juncture, top-scored with a brisk 41 off just 20 deliveries, his innings peppered with four boundaries and two maximums. The Pakistan skipper, Babar Azam, played a steady hand with a 29-ball 37, contributing significantly to setting up a solid platform. Young talent Saim Ayub also made valuable contributions with a quickfire 32 from 22 balls, helping Pakistan to set a challenging target.
The New Zealand bowling attack, led by leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, managed to keep the run-flow in check at key moments. Sodhi, with his variations and guile, returned impressive figures of 2-25 from his four overs. Jacob Duffy and Michael Bracewell supported well by each taking a wicket, though the latter proved somewhat expensive in his spell.
In response, New Zealand approached the chase with an aggressive mindset right from the start. The star of the show was Mark Chapman, who played a scintillating knock of 87 not out off just 42 balls. Chapman’s innings, laden with eight fours and five sixes, was both aggressive and intelligent, exploiting gaps in the field and using the pace of the ball to his advantage. His partnership with Dean Foxcroft, who scored a solid 31, was instrumental in setting up the chase. Tim Robinson’s quick 28 further bolstered the innings, ensuring that the momentum stayed with the visiting team.
Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to find the right lengths and were punished for their inconsistency. Abbas Afridi, the young fast bowler, was the pick of the Pakistani bowlers, managing to claim 2 wickets for 27 runs in his three overs. However, the usually reliable Naseem Shah found it tough going, conceding 44 runs in his three-over spell and managing only a single wicket.
Chasing the target, New Zealand showed both restraint and aggression. They paced their innings beautifully, accelerating when needed and consolidating at other times. The Kiwis reached the target with ten balls to spare, finishing at 179/3, a testament to their batting depth and strategic acumen.
This victory not only levels the series but also sets up an exciting scenario for the remaining two matches. Both teams have displayed plenty of skill and determination, and as they move forward, maintaining consistency and composure will be key to seizing the series.
The series continues to promise thrilling cricket as both teams look evenly matched and hungry for victory. Fans can look forward to more high-octane cricket in the upcoming games as New Zealand and Pakistan vie for the series win.
