New Zealand maintains composure to defeat unbeatable 2-1
New Zealand maintains composure to defeat unbeatable 2-1
In the fourth game of their five-match T20I series, New Zealand edged hosts Pakistan 2-1 thanks to a thrilling finish that saw them keep their composure in a cliffhanger at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
New Zealand scored a respectable 178 runs. The innings were built up by the openers’ outstanding stand. As soon as he started to move quickly—hitting a 15-ball 28—partner Tim Robinson wasn’t far behind. The pair combined for 56 within the powerplay.
Zaman Khan of Pakistan responded by getting Blundell, ending that dangerous opening stand. However, Robinson had to deal with the combative companionship of Dean Foxcroft. The latter hit three sixes in a fast-paced combination that drove the score higher. Robinson, who had scored 51 to become Abbas Afridi’s first victim, was nearly hit for 150 by his knock.
New Zealand made a late push, but Afridi hit two more in the middle overs to put them behind. With a few boundaries and a 27 from Michael Bracewell, the visitors reached a respectable 178.
Pakistan’s response was likewise off to a rough start as they lost their top three during the powerplay, with captain Babar Azam scoring just one of William O’Rourke’s two strikes. But in the middle overs, they staged a comeback led by Fakhar Zaman, who with a 45-ball 61 held the innings together and created the stage for a successful chase.
With a timely twenty-three runs from Iftikhar Ahmed and a wicket from Zaman, Pakistan was never out of the chase. They encountered another setback, too, as they dropped three balls in a row, including Zaman and Ahmed’s.
However, Imad Wasim entered the game with 28 needed from the last two overs. He left 18 off the last over delivered by James Neesham after hitting two fours off the penultimate over from Jacob Duffy.
Usama Mir hit the first ball of the over for a four by . But Neesham found a yorker to castle him on the following ball. But as soon as Wasim started hitting again, he placed Neesham under strain. It caused him to make a mistake with his first ball and give up a boundary with the penultimate ball. Neesham kept a wide line away from Wasim’s hitting arc with five needed off the last delivery, allowing them to concede just a single to seal a thrilling victory and guarantee the visitors would not lose the series.
Brief Scores: Tim Robinson (51) and Abbas Afridi (3-20) of New Zealand defeated Fakhar Zaman (61; William O’Rourke 3-27) of Pakistan 174/8 by 4 runs.