Pakistan continued to gain confidence and momentum ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Australia 2022 when they produced a clinical performance against New Zealand to win their second successive match in the tri-series in Christchurch on Saturday by six wickets.
Haris Rauf carried the good performance of the bowlers when he took three wickets in the penultimate over to restrict New Zealand to 147 for eight after they had elected to bat first.
Pakistan captain and world’s third-ranked batter Babar Azam then scored 79 not out with a strike-rate of 149 to help his side cross the line with 10 balls to spare. On Friday, Pakistan had brushed aside Bangladesh by 21 runs. In the second round, Pakistan will play New Zealand on Tuesday and Bangladesh on Thursday.
The change in the conditions and environment seems to be working for Pakistan when they produced another strong all-round performance on Saturday.
All the bowlers came to the party with accurate, intelligent and smart bowling, which was very well backed by the fielders. As a result, New Zealand were able to score 42 for one in the PowerPlay overs, 72 for two between over numbers 7 and 15, and only 33 for five in the last five overs.
In contrast, Babar Azam with the support of Shadab Khan led the run-chase as Pakistan scored 44 for two in the PowerPlay overs, 73 for one between over numbers 7 and 15, before scoring the remaining 32 runs in 20 balls.
Fast bowler Haris Rauf continued to strengthen his credentials as one of the finest bowlers in the shortest format when he picked up three wickets in the 19th over while conceding five runs to finish with figures of 4-0-28-3.
Mohammad Wasim Jnr gave four runs with the bat in the 20th over to finish with figures of two for 20, while Mohammad Nawaz picked up two wickets in the middle over at the cost of 44 runs.
In pursuit of the 148-run target, Pakistan lost Mohammad Rizwan and Shan Masood in a space of four balls to slip to 37 for two. But Babar Azam successfully implemented the strategy when he batted through the innings to take Pakistan home.
Pakistan had needed 24 off the last three overs, but Babar and Haider Ali took Blair Tickner to the cleaners by scoring 21 runs before the Pakistan captain finished the match with his 11th boundary of the innings.
Babar slapped 11 fours in a 53-ball 79 not out, his 28th career half-century, but more importantly, he looked at his brilliant best, cresting boundaries from the middle of the willow and nudging and pushing the balls in gaps for ones and twos.
The team’s decision to promote Shadab Khan to No.4 also proved right when the Pakistan vice-captain followed up his 4-0-21-0 with a 22-ball 34 with two fours and two sixes. Together with his captain, Shadab added 61 runs for the third wicket.
Mohammad Nawaz, pushed to No.5, chipped in with a 19-ball 16 with two fours, before Haider Ali belted a six and a four in the two balls he faced to wrap up a comfortable and convincing victory for Pakistan.
Scores in brief:
Pakistan beat New Zealand by six wickets
New Zealand 147-8, 20 overs (Devon Conway 36, Mark Chapman 32, Kane Williamson 31, Glenn Phillips 18; Haris Rauf 3-28, Mohammad Wasim Jnr 2-20, Mohammad Nawaz 2-44)
Pakistan 149-4, 18.2 overs (Babar Azam 79 not out, Shadab Khan 34, Mohammad Nawaz 16; Blair Tickner 2-42)
Player of the match – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
