Category: PAK vs NZ

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan all-format skipper Babar Azam is just one win away from breaking another headline record as a team captain when his side meets New Zealand in the fourth PAK vs NZ T20I, here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday. 

Babar has the opportunity to etch his name as the captain with the most number of wins in the shortest format of the game during the upcoming encounter against the visitors.

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So far, he is the joint-holder of this record with Afghanistan’s Asghar Afghan and England’s Eoin Morgan after 42 wins.

The 28-year-old has captained the Green Shirts in 69 T20 international matches. It will be a double delight for Babar if he secures a victory in his 70th T20I match as a skipper. He can wrap up the five-game series along with becoming the captain with the most number of wins in the format with 43 victories.

It is pertinent to mention here that Babar has captained the Pakistan T20I side more than any other captain in history. He was given the reins back in 2019 following the ouster of former all-format captain Sarfaraz Ahmed.

Under his captaincy, Pakistan reached the semifinals of two successive T20 World Cups -2021 and 2022 – and finished as runner-ups in the latter.

It must be noted here that the ongoing five-game series took an interesting turn on Monday after New Zealand won their maiden T20I against Pakistan on the latter’s home soil last night and reduced the hosts’ advantage to 2-1.

In the third PAK v NZ T20I, Pakistan failed just four runs short of victory while chasing 164 as the home side could raise 159 before bundling out on the final delivery despite Iftikhar’s quickfire 60.

The Rawalpindi pitch, known for delivering high-scoring contests because of its batting-friendly nature, will host the last two matches of PAK vs NZ T20I series on April 20 and 24, respectively.

READ: PAK vs NZ: Run-fest expected on batting-friendly Pindi pitches

After an exhilarating three T20Is, the ongoing five-match series PAK vs NZ T20I series approaches a key stage as the action shifts to Rawalpindi, known for delivering high-scoring contests on batting-friendly surfaces.

The ongoing PAK vs NZ T20I series is turning out to be a cracker, dominated by the home side until the touring side finally tasted triumph after a final-over thriller in the third fixture.

The three-match stint entertained Lahore fans to the fullest and they acknowledged it by filling up Gaddafi Stadium in each contest.

Meanwhile, the action now shifts to Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, which hosted astonishingly high-scoring clashes amid the recently-concluded eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Considered a nightmare for bowlers and paradise for the batters, the highest total in the history of the PSL was also recorded on the same surface.

Things will be no different this time around, primarily in the last two Pakistan vs New Zealand T20Is as the head curator of the Pindi Cricket Stadium Sarfraz Ahmad revealed there will be batting-friendly pitches.

“We have prepared different pitches for the four matches scheduled to be played at the Pindi Stadium during the next 12 days,” said Ahmad while talking to a local publication.

“The pitches during the T20I matches will be more or less the same that was available during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches in March.

“Keeping in view the interest of cricket fans, T20 wickets should be more inclined toward the batter. The surfaces are being curated keeping in mind that aspect.

It must be noted here that New Zealand won their maiden T20I against Pakistan on the latter’s home soil last night and reduced the hosts’ advantage to 2-1 in the five-game series.

Set to chase 164, Pakistan failed just five short of victory as the home side could raise 159 before bundling out on the final delivery despite Iftikhar’s quickfire 60.

READ: You are not chacha: Afridi calls Iftikhar ‘boom boom’ after NZ T20I blitz

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi heaped praises on Iftikhar Ahmed after he played a blistering knock against New Zealand in the third PAK vs NZ T20I on Monday in Lahore. 

Afridi, dubbed as ‘Boom Boom’ back then for his aggressive batting style,  has awarded that label to the right-hander for his quickfire 60 in just 24 balls, smashing three fours and six maximums.

Taking to Twitter, legendary all-rounder Afridi lauded Iftikhar’s powerful knock which eventually went in vain since New Zealand edged the Green Shiirts by four runs to stay alive in the series.

“You are not chacha (uncle) for me @IftiAhmed221 you are boom boom but I wish that you had finished the match and make yourselves a memorable inning. Overall well played, it was good cricket over all, the fans enjoyed.” tweeted Afridi

You are not chacha for me @IftiAhmed221 you are boom boom but I wish that you had finished the match and make yourselves a memorable inning. Overall well played, it was good cricket over all, the fans enjoyed. Well done @TheRealPCB and thank you for coming @BLACKCAPS to 🇵🇰

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) April 17, 2023

Furthermore, he expressed gratitude to Blackcaps for their historic visit to the country and also lauded Pakistan Cricket Board.

“Well done @TheRealPCB and thank you for coming @BLACKCAPS to Pakistan,” he added.

It must be noted here that New Zealand won their maiden T20I against Pakistan on the latter’s home soil last night and reduced the hosts’ advantage to 2-1 in the five-game series.

Set to chase 164, Pakistan failed just five short of victory as the home side could raise 159 before bundling out on the final delivery despite Iftikhar’s quickfire 60.

Both teams now travel to Rawalpindi for the fourth and fifth T20I on April 20 and 24 at Pindi Cricket Stadium.

READ: PAK vs NZ Live: Iftikhar blitz in vain as New Zealand edge Pakistan

LAHORE: Disciplined New Zealand came out roaring to breeze past nervy Pakistan in the third PAK vs NZ T20I and stayed alive in the ongoing five-match series.

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The third T20I of the five-match series between Pakistan and New Zealand was played here at the Gaddafi Stadium.

New Zealand captain Tom Latham opted to bat first after the coin flipped in his favour and his men justified his decision by posting a decent total on the scoreboard with Latham himself leading the charge with a brilliant half-century while Daryl Mitchell scored a vital 33.

The target set by the Blackcaps eventually proved to be too much for the home side as they failed to complete the series triumph in the third T20I.

The two sides will lock horns in the fourth T20I on Thursday (April 20th) with Babar-led Pakistan eyeing the series triumph.

LAHORE: Iftikhar Ahmed’s quickfire 60 failed to trump Tom Latham’s half-century as New Zealand edged Pakistan by four runs in the third PAK vs NZ T20I and stayed alive in the five-match series, led by Pakistan 2-1.

Watch Live Match New Zealand Tour of Pakistan at ARY ZAP

Set to chase 164, Pakistan failed just five short of victory as the home side could raise 159 before bundling out on the final delivery despite Iftikhar’s quickfire 60.

Earlier, the green shirts got off to a dismal start as the side lost their in-form captain Babar Azam early, who perished after scoring just one.

The home side then rocked with another major blow as wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan (6) perished in the fourth over; courtesy of a direct hit by Chad Bowes.

Pakistan’s middle order once again failed to chip in and the disciplined New Zealand bowling attack restricted them to 88/7 in the 15th over.

Following the slump, Iftikhar stitched a gritty eighth-wicket partnership with Faheem Ashraf and kept their side in the hunt.

The pair raised 61 runs in just 26 deliveries before Matt Henry got rid of Faheem in the 19th over. He scored a 14-ball 27, smashing two boundaries and as many sixes.

With Pakistan needing 15 off the final over, Latham brought Neesham to bowl with ruthless Iftikhar on strike.

The right-arm pacer held his nerves intact to bar Pakistan from running away with the series win as he picked up the remaining two wickets including the prized scalp of Iftikhar and leaked away just 10 runs.

Iftikhar top-scored for Pakistan with a brisk 60 in just 24, laced up with three boundaries and six sixes but his belligerent knock eventually, turned out insufficient to steer Pakistan home.

Neesham led the bowling attack for New Zealand with 3/38 while Adam Milne and Rachin Ravindra bagged two each.

Opting to bat first, New Zealand managed to accumulate 163/5 in their quota of 20 overs, thanks to a magnificent half-century by their skipper Latham.

Earlier, the touring side failed to script a solid start to their innings as Shaheen Shah Afridi, dented New Zealand’s flying start as he castled Chad Bowes (7) in the third over.

Following an early setback, New Zealand skipper Latham and Will Young started the recovery by putting on an anchoring 36-run partnership for the second wicket before Shadab Khan broke the budding partnership by dismissing the latter.

Young could score 17 off 15 deliveries, laced up with two boundaries and a six.

Daryl Mitchell then joined his skipper Latham in the middle and turned things around for their side as they bolstered the scoring rate by stitching a vital 65-run partnership in just 43 deliveries before Shaheen drew curtains on Mitchell’s brisk knock.

He scored 33 off 26 deliveries, hitting two boundaries and a six.

New Zealand then endured a major setback in the 17th over when Haris Rauf outclassed the Blackcaps skipper with a ferocious bouncer, which marked the end of his brilliant 64-run knock.

He faced 49 deliveries and smashed seven boundaries and two sixes amid his brilliant knock, which saw him top-scoring for the touring side.

After Latham’s departure, crucial cameos from James Neesham 10 and Mark Chapman 16* took New Zealand to a decent total in the allotted overs.

Haris and Shaheen led the bowling charge for Pakistan with two wickets each while Shadab Khan made one scalp.

LAHORE: Iftikhar Ahmed’s quickfire 60 failed to trump Tom Latham’s half-century as New Zealand edged Pakistan by four runs in the third PAK vs NZ T20I and stayed alive in the five-match series, led by Pakistan 2-1.

PAK 159 (20 Overs)

Neesham to bowl the final over

PAK 149/8 (19 Overs)

Henry to bowl the 19th

PAK 141/7 (18 Overs)

Milne replaces Neesham

PAK 118/7 (17 Overs)

Henry comes back, replaces Milne

PAK 108/7 (16 Overs)

Neesham replaces Ravindra

PAK 92/7 (15 Overs)

Milne comes back

PAK 88/6 (14 Overs)

Ravindra replaces Sodhi

PAK 73/6 (13 Overs)

Neesham comes back

PAK 65/6 (12 Overs)

11.5: Flipper out of the front of the hand again from Sodhi, Shaheen moves across and looks to club it away into the on-side. It sneaks under his bat and thuds into his back leg.

Sodhi continues

PAK 61/5 (11 Overs)

10.2: Tossed up on off, Imad advances down the track and smashes this in the hands of James Neesham at long off.

Ravindra continues

PAK 54/4 (10 Overs)

Sodhi replaces Neesham

PAK 50/4 (9 Overs)

8.3: Fakhar heaves wildly across the line and fails to connect as the ball dips and sneaks through his bat and pad. Latham does exceptionally well to gather this cleanly and affect the stumping.

Ravindra replaces Sodhi

PAK 43/3 (8 Overs)

7.1: Gentle-paced delivery from Neesham, Saim jumps down the track to get to the pitch but he’s not quite there, prods at it and gets a thin edge through to the keeper.

James Neesham comes on

PAK 39/2 (7 Overs)

Latham introduces spin as Ish Sodhi comes into the attack

PAK 35/2 (6 Overs)

Lister replaces Henry

PAK 29/2 (5 Overs)

Milne replaces Lister

PAK 19/2 (4 Overs)

3.4: Fakhar works it gently into the off-side and sets off for a single. Bowes is very quick to lunge forward from backward point and he nails down a perfect hit, Rizwan is miles out.

Henry replaces Milne

PAK 13/1 (3 Overs)

Ben Lister comes on

PAK 6/1 (2 Overs)

1.5: Full and wide outside off from Milne, Babar throws his bat, it takes the outside edge and flies down to third-man. Ravindra runs in from the boundary and takes a superb diving catch.

Adam Milne bowls from the other end

PAK 5/0 (1 Over)

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan come out to open for Pakistan. Matt Henry to bowl the first over.

PAKISTAN vs NEW ZEALAND (2nd INNINGS)

LAHORE: New Zealand skipper Tom Latham struck a magnificent half-century and powered his side to a decent total of 163/5 against Pakistan in the third PAK vs NZ T20I of the five-match series here at Gaddafi Stadium.

NZ 163/5 (20 Overs)

Shaheen to bowl the final over

NZ 154/5 (19 Overs)

18.4: Follows up his off-cutter with a ferocious bouncer. Neesham is very late on his pull shot and skies it into the leg-side. Fakhar Zaman runs in from deep midwicket to take a simple catch.

Haris to bowl the 19th

NZ 144/4 (18 Overs)

Naseem replaces Shaheen

NZ 130/4 (17 Overs)

Haris replaces Naseem

NZ 123/3 (16 Overs)

15.4: Slower delivery outside off, Mitchell stands tall and looks to tonk it down the ground, gets deceived by the lack of pace and it skies it all the way down Fakhar Zaman’s throat at cow corner.

Shaheen comes back

NZ 112/2 (15 Overs)

Naseem comes back

NZ 107/2 (14 Overs)

Haris comes back

NZ 102/2 (13 Overs)

Shadab comes to bowl his last

NZ 86/2 (12 Overs)

Imad continues

NZ 71/2 (11 Overs)

Shadab comes again

NZ 64/2 (10 Overs)

More spin as Imad Wasim comes on

NZ 57/2 (9 Overs)

8.3: Leg-break, well outside the channel, Young tries to drag it into the leg-side but ends up skying it off the bottom half of his bat. Fakhar Zaman gobbles it up at long-on.

Shadab continues

NZ 56/1 (8 Overs)

Faheem comes back

NZ 45/1 (7 Overs)

Spin challenge for New Zealand as Shadab Khan comes on

NZ 35/1 (6 Overs)

Haris Rauf comes into the attack

NZ 26/1 (5 Overs)

Naseem replaces Shaheen

NZ 21/1 (4 Overs)

Will Young comes out to bat for New Zealand. Faheem Ashraf to bowl his first

NZ 20/1 (3 Overs)

2.6: Shaheen bowls fuller on the stumps, Bowes tries to swipe it across the line and completely misses it as it sneaks through and disturbs the timberwork behind.

Shaheen continues

NZ 17/0 (2 Overs)

Naseem Shah to bowl from the other end

NZ 11/0 (1 Over)

Tom Latham and Chad Bowes come out to open for New Zealand. Shaheen Shah Afridi to bowl the first over.

PAKISTAN vs NEW ZEALAND (1st INNINGS)

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PAK VS NZ T20I: New Zealand have won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan in the third T20I of the five-match series here at Gaddafi Stadium.

PLAYING XIs

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah.

New Zealand: Tom Latham (c & wk), Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, James Neesham. Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Ben Lister.

HEAD TO HEAD (T20Is)

Matches 31, Pakistan 20, New Zealand 11

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) medical board on Monday, deemed wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan fit for the third PAK vs NZ T20I of the five-match series.

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Rizwan, who played an anchoring 50-run knock in Pakistan’s dominating triumph over New Zealand in the second T20I, walked off the field in the second innings due to a back injury.

He did not keep wickets in the second innings of the aforementioned fixture and Mohammad Haris replaced him for the rest of the match.

Meanwhile, the PCB medical board has cleared the air on Rizwan’s fitness and confirmed that the wicketkeeper batter is available for selection for tonight’s fixture.

It is pertinent to mention that New Zealand have opted to bat first in the third T20I of the series, led by Pakistan 2-0.

READ: Wuhan to play host as world snooker returns to China 

LAHORE: New Zealand have won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan in the third PAK vs NZ T20I of the five-match series here at Gaddafi Stadium.

Click to Watch Live PAK vs NZ T20I in HD Streaming at ARY ZAP

PLAYING XIs

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah.

New Zealand: Tom Latham (c & wk), Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, James Neesham. Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Ben Lister.

HEAD TO HEAD (T20Is)

Matches 31, Pakistan 20, New Zealand 11

PAK VS NZ T20I: Pakistan, riding high on their recent successes, will aim for a third consecutive victory to establish an insurmountable 3-0 advantage in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. The upcoming match is scheduled to take place at the Gaddafi Stadium tonight.

Click to Watch Live PAK vs NZ 3rd T20I at ARY ZAP

PAK VS NZ T20I Series

Pakistan has secured back-to-back wins against New Zealand, triumphing by 88 runs and 38 runs in the first and second T20Is, respectively. Despite losing both matches convincingly, New Zealand displayed promise in the second game with an improved performance.

They exhibited a fighting spirit and will likely strive to make a comeback in the upcoming match to narrow the lead established by Pakistan.

As the visitors find themselves trailing 0-2 in the five-match series, they face an uphill task of staging a comeback in the remaining three games.

However, New Zealand still has a chance to salvage the series, but it will require them to win all the remaining three T20 matches of PAK vs NZ five-match series. They will need to bring their best game to the table to turn the tide in their favor and avoid a series defeat.

1st T20I:

In pursuit of a target of 183, the New Zealand batting lineup faltered, collapsing for a paltry 94 runs in the 15th over, resulting in a resounding victory for Pakistan.

The pacers from Pakistan made a remarkable start, taking three quick wickets during the batting powerplay, leaving the visiting side reeling at just 29 runs.

After the early slump, New Zealand skipper Tom Latham and Mark Chapman attempted to stabilize the innings, stitching together a gritty 27-run partnership. However, the budding partnership was broken by Haris Rauf, who dismissed Latham for 20 runs off 24 deliveries.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan had a shaky start with their reliable opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan departing cheaply, leaving them at 30/2 in the fifth over. However, Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub turned the tide with a resilient 79-run partnership that anchored the innings.

Saim Ayub played the role of the aggressor in the partnership, while Fakhar Zaman held his ground firmly. However, Saim’s innings came to an end just three runs short of a half-century, as he was dismissed by a direct hit from Chad Bowes.

Saim scored 47 runs off just 28 deliveries, including four boundaries and two sixes, before departing. In the end, Pakistan managed to accumulate a competitive total of 182, thanks to the anchoring innings by Fakhar Zaman and the quickfire knock by Saim Ayub.

The victory was eventually sealed by Pakistan’s impressive bowling performance, which dismantled New Zealand’s batting lineup and secured a second continues commanding win in the New Zealand Tour of Pakistan.

2nd T20I:

In the second T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday, Pakistan captain Babar Azam played a scintillating innings, scoring an unbeaten century, while Haris Rauf’s four-wicket haul led the hosts to a commanding 38-run victory.

Chasing a target of 193, New Zealand could only manage 154/7 in their allotted 20 overs, despite a half-century by Mark Chapman.

The visiting team got off to a cautious start with openers Tom Latham and Chad Bowes adding 44 runs before Pakistan’s spinners, led by Shadab Khan, made breakthroughs.

Shadab Khan trapped Latham (19) leg before wicket in the seventh over, drawing the first success for Pakistan, while Imad Wasim dismissed Bowes (26) in the following over, further denting New Zealand’s progress.

Chapman tried to hold the innings together and formed a fighting 33-run partnership with Will Young, but Haris Rauf joined the party and dismissed Young for just nine runs.

Despite Chapman’s valiant half-century and his efforts to steady the innings, New Zealand kept losing wickets at regular intervals. However, Chapman carried his bat all the way through the innings.

In the end, the hosts managed to restrict New Zealand to 154/7, securing a comfortable 38-run victory in the 2nd T20I of PAK vs NZ.

Overall, Babar Azam’s century and Haris Rauf’s four-wicket haul were the key contributions for Pakistan, as they clinched a dominant win in the second T20I against New Zealand.

Read More: Babar reveals reason behind his lively century celebration

LAHORE: In a befitting response, Pakistan captain Babar Azam has answered the unnecessary criticism aimed at him regarding his strike rate in the T20 format, first with his actions followed by his words. 

Babar smashed a phenomenal ton during Pakistan’s 38-run victory in the second T20 international against New Zealand on Saturday in Lahore.

He scored 101 runs from 58 balls, marking his third century in the shortest format, to help his side take a 2-0 lead in the five-game series.

Pakistan’s captain reached the three-digit mark on the final delivery of Pakistan’s inning and after reaching his century he celebrated the feat in a passionate manner.

In a post-match interview, Babar was asked by the presenter Zainab Abbas whether his animated celebration was aimed at the ‘strike-rate brigade’ who unnecessarily criticise him.

“You can say so,” quipped Babar with a hearty laugh on his face.

“But I don’t keep these types of things in my mind. I play according to the situation and build my innings according to the team’s requirement,” he added.

Pakistan skipper reiterated that for him, winning matches for the country was far more important than personal milestones.

“I’m not too worried about personal milestones. I’m focused on performing in a way that I can help my team win. The team comes first and then milestones,” he said.

“But from an individual perspective, you can say this was a special hundred.”

It may be noted here that the right-hander smacked 11 boundaries and three sixes during his blistering knock to steer Pakistan to a massive 192-run total.

New Zealand in reply, could only amass 154/7 in their quota of 20 overs thanks to Haris Rauf’s consecutive four-for in two matches.

The Green Shirts next play the tourists on April 17 at the same venue before the final two matches in Rawalpindi on April 20 and 24.

READ: PAK v NZ: Imad rates Babar’s knock ‘top of the line’