RAWALPINDI – Pakistani pace attack wreaked havoc as they thrashed New Zealand by seven wickets in the second T20 International at the Rawalpindi Stadium on Saturday.
Pakistan’s bowling remains on point as Green Shirts dismissed the entire New Zealand squad for just 90 runs in second T20I at Pindi Cricket Stadium.
Prolific batter Mohammad Rizwan was the top scorer with 45 runs. Pakistan faced early blow Saim Ayub and captain Babar Azam returned on 4 and 14 respectively.
Debutant Usman Khan failed to score big as he returned on 7 scores, courtesy of Ish Sodhi.
In first half of the game, Bracewll led squad Caps never found their footing, struggling against Pakistan’s pace attack. Ace Pacer Shaheen Afridi sent Tim Seifert back to the pavilion at 12 runs in the third over.
Mohammad Amir, who returned to national squad after four years, got wicket of Tim Robinson for only four runs in his first over. He continued to trouble the Kiwi batting lineup, getting Dean Foxcroft out with a simple catch by skipper Babar Azam in his second over.
Mystry spinner Abrar Ahmed struck twice in the ninth over, dismissing Mark Chapman and James Neesham for 19 and one run, respectively.
Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah also added more troubles for the team, with only four New Zealand batters reaching double digits.
Afridi took three wickets, while Amir, Abrar, and Shadab each took two. Naseem managed to get one wicket, as Pakistan dominated with the ball throughout the match.
Pakistan earlier won the toss and decided to bowl first in the second T20I against New Zealand on Saturday.
There was no change in the Pakistani squad while visitors made one change with Cole McConchie replacing Josh Clarkson from the first game that was washed off due to widespread rain.
Squads
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed
New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (c), Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, James Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi
Both sides are playing Saturday’s game with slight chance of rain over the weekend.
After first three matches in Rawalpindi, both teams will travel to Lahore for the remaining two T20Is on 25th and 27th April.
Pakistan vs New Zealand T20
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| April 18 | 1st T20I | Rawalpindi |
| April 20 | 2nd T20I | Rawalpindi |
| April 21 | 3rd T20I | Rawalpindi |
| April 25 | 4th T20I | Lahore |
| April 27 | 5th T20I | Lahore |
