Pakistan’s left-arm bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Amir took five wickets together to dismiss New Zealand for only 90 runs. Then, Mohammad Rizwan helped Pakistan chase the target to win the second Twenty20 match in Rawalpindi.
Shaheen took 3 wickets for 13 runs, and Amir, making a comeback after four years, took 2 wickets for 13 runs. New Zealand couldn’t play well and got all out in 18.1 overs.
Rizwan scored an unbeaten 45 runs off 34 balls to lead Pakistan to victory. They reached the target in just 12.1 overs, winning by 7 wickets and taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
In the first match, it was raining, so it got canceled after only two deliveries.
New Zealand tried to fight back by taking wickets of Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, and Usman Khan, but Muhammad Irfan Khan supported Rizwan to secure victory.
Azam praised his bowlers for their excellent performance, while New Zealand’s captain Michael Bracewell admitted their batting was not good enough.
Amir, who returned to international cricket after a long break, played well in the opening overs and troubled the New Zealand batsmen. Spinners Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan also bowled well, putting pressure on New Zealand.
New Zealand’s total was their second-lowest against Pakistan in T20 cricket. Mark Chapman, Cole McConchie, Dean Foxcroft, and Tim Seifert were the only batsmen to reach double figures.
The series is important for both teams as they prepare for the Twenty20 World Cup in June. New Zealand is missing some key players due to their involvement in the Indian Premier League and injuries.
The next matches will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore on April 25 and 27.