Tag: New Zealand Tri-series

CHRISTCHURCH: New Zealand thrashed Bangladesh by 48 runs after an outstanding all-round performance to set up the tri-series final against Pakistan on Friday. 

The crushing defeat eliminated Bangladesh from the ongoing T20 tri-series as they remained winless throughout the campaign with a game still left.

Opener Devon Conway raised a brilliant half-century before Glenn Phillips smacked Bangladesh bowlers to cleaners as he scored a blistering 60 off 24 balls to help New Zealand post a mammoth 209-run target after they were put to bat.

Blackcaps bowlers, on the other hand, stormed through the batting line, despite brave resistance from skipper Shakib Al Hasan who scored 70 off 40 while Bangladesh were restricted to 160/7.

Bangladesh went for a robust attack during the chase as the team cruised to 90/2 in 9.5,  overs before they started to lose wickets at regular intervals.

Shakib and Soumya Sarkar anchored Bangladesh’s inning as the two built a defiant 43-run partnership for the third wicket before the latter was removed by Adam Milne on 23 off 17.

Following the dismissal, Bangladesh lost the track of their chase as the next three batters Afif Hossain (4), Nurul Hasan (2) and Yasir Ali (6) fell cheaply between the 11th and 16th overs.

For New Zealand, Milne returned the impressive bowling figures of 3/24 while Michael Bracewell and Tim Southee bagged two wickets each.

Earlier, New Zealand batters whipped the opposition’s bowling attack and raised 66 runs in the last five overs to take the scoreboard to 208/5 in the allotted 20 overs.

Blackcaps had an impressive start after as the opening pair of Conway and Finn Allen hoisted 45 runs in mere 25 balls before the latter fell prey to Shoriful Islam. Allen walked back after scoring 32 off 19 including three four and two sixes.

Martin Guptil, who batted at No 3 in Williamson’s place, looked impressive in his first outing in the ongoing Tri-series as he hit three fours and a six during his 34-run knock and anchored the Blackcaps innings with a valiant second-wicket partnership of 87 runs along with Conway.

Conway, on the other, left the crease in the 17th after playing a magnificent knock of 64 off 40 while No 4 batter Phillips smashed five sixes and two fours to take his team to the commanding position in the game.

For Bangladesh, Mohammad Saifuddin and Ebadot Hussain bagged two wickets each while Shoriful had a scalp to his credit.

 

CHRISTCHURCH: New Zealand spinners stormed through the Pakistan batting line before openers Fin Allen and Devon Conway pounded the bowlers to clinch a comprehensive nine-wicket win for the Blackcaps in the ongoing tri-series, here on Tuesday. 

With the dominating win, Kiwis avenged the earlier defeat by six wickets in their first encounter against Pakistan on Saturday.

Set to chase a paltry 131, Allen smashed half a dozen sixes during his blistering knock of 65 off 42 while Conway contributed with an unbeaten 49 off 46, propelling their side to achieve the target with 23 balls to spare.

The pair raised a phenomenal opening partnership of 117 runs before Shadab Khan struck with the lone wicket for the bowling side as he stumped out Allen.

Earlier, Pakistan went through a dismal day with the bat and failed to hit a single six during the whole innings after they opted to bat first.

Michael Bracewell and Mitchel Santner dismissed two wickets each while Ish Sodhi struck one to jitter the Green Shirts’ batting line before Iftikhar Ahmed and Asif Ali put up a slight resistance as they built a 51-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

The steady partnership between the two was only broken in the last over by veteran pacer Tim Southee who bowled an impressive final over, striking two wickets and conceding just two runs, to restrict Pakistan to 130/7 in the allotted 20 overs.

Iftikhar top-scored for Pakistan with 27 off 27 balls while Asif scored an unbeaten 25 off 20.

On the other hand, Mohammad Rizwan (16), Shan Masood (14), Babar Azam (21), Shadab Khan (8) and Haider Ali (8) failed to impress.

Bracewell had the first breakthrough for New Zealand when he dismissed Rizwan in the 5th over after he faced 17 balls.

Santner joined the attack and ceased Shan Masood’s brief stay on the crease in the 8th over to set off the alarm bells for Pakistan.

No.4 batter Shadab fell cheaply by the left-arm spinner before the skipper Babar, who was looking in fine touch, was sent back to the pavilion by Bracewell in the 11th over.

Blackcaps forced Pakistan to be on the back foot throughout the game as they were reduced to 77/5 in the 14th over when Ish Sodhi dismissed Haider cheaply on 8.

New Zealand will now lock horns against Bangladesh on Wednesday (Tomorrow) while Pakistan faces the latter on Thursday in their final encounter before the final on Friday between the top two teams.

CHRISTCHURCH: Pakistan captain Babar Azam disclosed that the national team would play the tri-nation series in New Zealand with their best combination, saying they tested the bench strength during the home series against England but now only those players who are expected for the World Cup would be included in the playing XI. 

Pakistan are set to face Bangladesh tomorrow in the opening game of the Triangular series.

Babar stated that the tri-series was a great opportunity for the team ahead of the ICC men’s T20 World Cup 2022 as conditions in New Zealand were similar to that of Australia, where the mega event will be hosted.

“This series is very important before the World Cup since the weather and conditions are similar. The weather is cold here just like in Australia. The wickets are bouncy here and we’ll get a bounce in Australia too.” he said at a media talk in Christchurch.

“So it’s a great opportunity to prepare ourselves for the World Cup,” he added.

Speaking of the opposing sides in the triangular series, Pakistan’s captain asserted that no team in the T20I format could be labelled as an easy opponent, especially New Zealand, who were a strong side in their home conditions.

“Black Caps have experience on their side. They have fast bowlers like Southee and Boult and then they have Kane Williamson. So, I think they have a very good combination” he said.

Moreover, Babar said the Pakistan team checked various combinations during the recently concluded T20I series against England but now they would only be playing those players in the team who were the most expected for the World Cup.

“During our last series against England we tried different combinations in batting as well in bowling and checked our bench strength but now we will be going with only those players who are part of our World Cup combination or most expected to play” he maintained.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan will be playing the tri-nation series against Bangladesh and the hosts New Zealand from October 7 to 14. The same squad will then leave for Australia to play the World Cup.

Pakistan will start their World Cup campaign on October 23 with the blockbuster clash against the arch-rivals India at the iconic MCG stadium.

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CHRISTCHURCH: The glittering trophy for the T20I tri-series between Pakistan, Bangladesh and the hosts New Zealand was unveiled here on Wednesday as the three teams will roll into action from October 7 to 14. 

The trophy of the triangular series was revealed by the captains of the participating teams as Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson and Nurul Hasan of Bangladesh posed with the trophy.

The pictures of the trophy unveiling were also shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board on its official Twitter account.

Trophy unveiled 🏆

The series kicks off on Friday with the match between Pakistan and Bangladesh 🏏#NZTriSeries | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/Jggf4F88ge

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 5, 2022

The opening game of the tri-series will be played between Pakistan and Bangladesh on Friday. All the matches of the series will be played at Hagley Oval.

Earlier, the national team reached Christchurch on Tuesday, two days after concluding the seven-match T20I home series against England which Pakistan lost by 4-3.

The tri-nation series is expected to give the participating teams much-needed confidence before the mega-event, ICC men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia, starting from October 16.

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