In the second Twenty20 International of the five-match series, New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 21 runs on Sunday, overcoming the loss of its skipper in an innings that failed late. The Black Caps, batting first, were 111 for one after 10 overs, but they were unable to capitalize on the momentum of the first half of their innings, finishing 194 for eight.
The batting collapse came after skipper Kane Williamson had to leave the game with a stiff hamstring after 10 overs. Pakistan likewise slipped in the second part of their innings and was knocked out for 173 in the 20th over.
Highlights of the second T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand
Around the 11th and 16th overs, New Zealand lost three wickets for 35, signaling the end of the innings. At 137 for two, Allen was out, and the innings started to decline rapidly. Daryl Mitchell was out at 147, and Mark Chapman was out at 157. With seven wickets down for fifty-five runs, New Zealand lost their final seven wickets despite Mitchell Santner’s brilliant twenty-five.
“It was a good surface which we’ve come to expect here at Seddon Park and the way Finn Allen and the boys at the top set it up was very pleasing,” New Zealand’s stand-in captain Tim Southee said. “However, Pakistan managed to recover well, and the two innings resembled each other somewhat.”
Relief swept over New Zealand. A two-half innings was also produced by Pakistan. When Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman combined for 87 runs for the third wicket, it appeared as though they might even the series. With three fours and five sixes in his half-century from 23 balls, Fakhar was destined to follow Allen in providing the catalyst for a significant innings.
However, he was eliminated at that point, and Babar was once again left to lead Pakistan home. In Friday’s first international in Auckland, he amassed 57 runs and was the focal point of Pakistan’s innings, which included a valiant run chase that saw the tourists fall 46 runs short.
PAK vs. NZ: Babar Azam’s fifty has gone in vain
The fifty years of Babar Azam were in vain, But Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi won the toss and asked to bat first. First-round picks Allen and Devon Conway gave their team a fantastic start, with both hitters putting on a show right away.
After a stand of 59 runs between the opening duo, Aamer Jamal removed Conway in the sixth over. But before the captain of New Zealand withdrew injured, Allen carried on his rampage and forged another 52-run combination, this time with Kane Williamson.
Williamson decided to quit the game after experiencing hamstring stiffness. But Allen went on to get his fifty-score until Usama Mir got rid of him in the thirteenth over. By then, though, the damage had already been done as the opener hammered 74 runs off of 41 balls, smashing five sixes and seven boundaries.
With contributions of 17 and 25 runs apiece, Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner helped his team reach 194 for 8 in the opening inning. Pakistan’s best bowler was Haris Rauf, who took three wickets in four overs despite giving up 38 runs.
