In a decisive display of cricket prowess, Pakistan surged ahead in the five-match T20i series against New Zealand, securing a 1-0 lead with a commanding victory at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
After the opening match was washed out, the hosts left no doubts about their form in the series by dominating New Zealand, winning the second T20i by seven wickets and with an impressive 47 balls to spare.
The day began with Pakistan winning the toss and opting to field first, a decision that quickly paid dividends. New Zealand’s batters struggled to cope with Pakistan’s aggressive bowling attack, crumbling to 90 all out in just 18.1 overs. Despite a modest resistance from Mark Chapman, who topped the scoreboard with 19 runs, and contributions from Cole McConchie and Dean Foxcroft who added 15 and 13 runs respectively, the Kiwis were unable to forge a competitive total.
Pakistan’s bowlers were relentless in their pursuit, with Shaheen Afridi stealing the show. Afridi ripped through New Zealand’s top order, claiming an impressive three wickets for just 13 runs. Mohammad Amir and Shadab Khan supported well, taking two wickets each and contributing to the early collapse of the New Zealand innings.
The chase, though short, was efficiently handled by Pakistan. Mohammad Rizwan led from the front with an unbeaten 45 off 34 balls, stabilizing the innings after a couple of early wobbles. Irfan Khan and Babar Azam played handy knocks of 18 and 14 respectively to help steer Pakistan to a comfortable win. New Zealand’s bowlers, Ben Lister, Ish Sodhi, and Michael Bracewell managed one wicket each, but they lacked the incisiveness to defend such a modest target.
Shaheen Afridi’s stellar performance earned him the Player of the Match award. His extraordinary spell not only destroyed New Zealand’s batting lineup but also set the tone for Pakistan’s dominant chase. The home crowd was visibly elated as their team wrapped up the game efficiently, reasserting their dominance in the shortest format of the game.
This win puts Pakistan in a favorable position in the series, with three games left and all to play for. New Zealand, on the other hand, will need to regroup and reassess their strategies if they are to counter Pakistan’s bowling attack and come back stronger in the next match. The series promises more thrilling action as both teams look to assert their dominance.
The third T20i, scheduled to take place at the same venue, will be a critical juncture for New Zealand to bounce back and level the series. Pakistan, buoyed by their current form, will look to extend their lead and take a more decisive step towards clinching the series. As the teams prepare for the upcoming confrontation, fans can anticipate another gripping cricket encounter in Rawalpindi.
