Tag: New Zealand

LAHORE: New Zealand have won the toss and elected to bowl first against Pakistan in the fifth T20I of the five-match series here at Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

PLAYING XIs

New Zealand

Michael Bracewell (c), Tom Blundell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Zak Foulkes, Cole McConchie, James Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi.

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Pakistan

Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 43, Pakistan 22, New Zealand 19, NR 2

READ: ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy reaches Lahore

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has opened up about the importance of strike rate in modern-day cricket following the national team’s loss against New Zealand in the third T20I.

Pakistan suffered a seven-wicket against New Zealand in the third T20I here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

While talking to the media in Lahore ahead of the fourth T20I, Shadab stated that Pakistan batters should improve their strike rate in order to tackle stronger teams in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

“Strike rate is very important and we are trying [to improve it]. We have to play with a good strike rate against big teams,” said Shadab Khan.

“I believe that the team that scores more boundaries in a match has a better chance to win.”

Meanwhile, he also appreciated New Zealand for playing good cricket in their victory against Pakistan.

“There are no surprises in international cricket, nor there is any B or C team, we can say that a team has less experience, but that’s it,” the all-rounder said.

“New Zealand played excellent cricket in the third T20I. We cannot put the blame on anyone, we didn’t play well as a team.”

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Notably, Shadab Khan took Pakistan to their eventual total of 178 in the third T20I after he came in to bat at sixth position. He put together a sensational partnership with Muhammad Irfan Khan Niazi, bolstering the team’s total.

The duo added 62 off 34 deliveries before Shadab perished in the penultimate over. He remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with a quickfire 41 off 20 deliveries which featured four boundaries and two sixes.

However, New Zealand batter Mark Chapman played a swashbuckling unbeaten knock of 87 off 42 deliveries to hand Pakistan a seven-wicket defeat.

Moreover, Shadab Khan expressed optimism about Pakistan’s chances in the T20 World Cup despite the recent loss, however, he stressed the importance of finding the right combination.

“I believe we have the team that can win the T20 World Cup and we should make the combination that could play with continuity. There are nine more matches [before the World Cup], we should find the right combination in those games,” he stated.

With the five-match series squared off at 1-1, Pakistan and New Zealand will square off in the fourth T20I in Lahore on April 25, followed by the fifth match on 27 April at the same venue.

READ: Former Indian batter named as Uganda’s head coach ahead of T20 World Cup

RAWALPINDI: A combined bowling effort by Pakistan bowlers, followed by Mohammad Rizwan’s composed innings crushed New Zealand by seven wickets in the second T20I of the five-match series here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

PAK 92/3 (12.1 Overs)

Cole McConchie replaces Sears

PAK 88/3 (12 Overs)

Sodhi to bowl his third

PAK 85/3 (11 Overs)

Sear continues

PAK 79/3 (10 Overs)

Sodhi continues

PAK 68/3 (9 Overs)

Sears returns to the attack

PAK 60/3 (8 Overs)

7.1: Sodhi lures Usman with the bait and he bites it. Usman was looking to go downtown and got beaten by the searing wrong’un.

Ish Sodhi replaces Duffy

PAK 56/2 (7 Overs)

Bracewell continues to bowl

PAK 48/2 (6 Overs)

Jacob Duffy returns

PAK 41/2 (5 Overs)

4.5: Babar skips down the track and plays down the wrong line, gets stumped. It was a half-tracker outside off at a quicker pace. Babar Azam premeditated and was adamant on coming down to plonk him in the V but got beaten comprehensively.

Michael Bracewell replaces Lister

PAK 30/1 (4 Overs)

Ben Sears comes onto the bowl

PAK 13/1 (3 Overs)

Lister continues

PAK 12/1 (2 Overs)

Jacob Duffy to bowl the second over

PAK 8/1 (1 Over)

0.2: Back of a length awkward zone straightening at the middle, Saim tries to clip it away off his hip and ends up getting a leading edge to Lister who takes a well-judged diving catch

Saim Ayub and Babar Azam came out to open the innings for Pakistan. Ben Lister to bowl the first over.

PAKISTAN vs NEW ZEALAND (2nd Innings)

A combined bowling effort by Pakistan bowlers bundled a helpless New Zealand side for a meagre 90 in the second T20I of the five-match series here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

NZ 90 (18.1 Overs)

18.1: Shaheen Afridi wrecked the stumps! Round the wicket angle, spears in a magnificent yorker, angled in lulling him into a false sense of security before moving it away and demolishing him with a searing yorker.

NZ 90/9 (18 Overs)

17.4: Good length on sixth stump line, tries to go up and over mid-off but Ben Sears can’t control his bat swing and mistimed it to Babar who pockets with tremendous ease.

Naseem Shah to bowl his last over

NZ 84/8 (17 Overs)

Amir returns

NZ 79/8 (16 Overs)

15.6: Shadab saw Sodhi advancing and pulled his length further back. The ball hits his thigh pad and misses it completely. No spike on the ultraedge as the ball passes the bat, pitching in line, impact in line and hitting low at middle.

Shadab Khan changes end

NZ 76/7 (15 Overs)

14.5: That’s a stunning yorker and a difficult angle to negotiate with. The seam was upright and landed in that blockhole, with brilliant accuracy.

Shaheen Afridi returns

NZ 73/6 (14 Overs)

Naseem Shah returns to the attack

NZ 65/6 (13 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed to bowl his last

NZ 65/6 (12 Overs)

Shadab Khan flummoxes Bracewell with a quicker one on a short length at the middle, he inverses his stance and looks to clear short third but finds Naseem Shah who lunged forward to take a fabulous catch.

Shadab Khan continues

NZ 59/5 (11 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed to bowl his third

NZ 56/5 (10 Overs)

Shadab Khan into the attack

NZ 50/5 (9 Overs)

8.3: 73 km/h and Neesham couldn’t resist the temptation, went hard at it and found Shadab Khan at short midwicket who gobbled it down his throat.

8.1: Chapman goes full on middle, slogged away insolently but it goes straight into the hands of Saim Ayub at deep square who pouches it gleefully.

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 49/3 (8 Overs)

Iftikhar Ahmed replaces Amir

NZ 42/3 (7 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed to bowl his first over

NZ 35/3 (6 Overs)

5.4: Foxcroft tries to break the shackles but ends up losing his wicket, the bat is turned in his hand and Babar Azam takes a few steps back and reverses cupping it calmly into his hands.

Amir continues

NZ 29/2 (5 Overs)

Naseem Shah replaces Afridi

NZ 23/2 (4 Overs)

3.2: Pace-off length ball outside off and Robinson looks strained at the off-stump, pushing at it with minimal timing, came off the toe-end and it’s a regulation catch for Iftikhar Ahmed at short cover.

Mohammad Amir introduced to attack

NZ 21/1 (3 Overs)

2.1: Pitched on a length on an awkward off-stump line, Seifert hurriedly pushed at it and the ball popped up, Shadab hunted it down in a jiffy.

Shaheen Afridi continues

NZ 16/0 (2 Overs)

Naseem Shah to bowl the second over

NZ 5/0 (1 Over)

Tim Seifert and Tim Robinson came out to open the innings for New Zealand. Shaheen Afridi to bowl the first over.

PAKISTAN vs NEW ZEALAND (1st Innings)

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bowl first against New Zealand in the second T20I of the five-match series here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

PLAYING XIs

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.

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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

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 40, Pakistan 21, New Zealand 17, NR 2

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RAWALPINDI: The New Zealand cricket team’s training session ahead of the second T20I against Pakistan was cancelled due to weather conditions in the city.

The second match of the five-match T20I series is scheduled for tomorrow, April 20th, however, the weather forecast predicts that rain may disrupt the game.

The first T20I of the five-match series between Pakistan and New Zealand was called off yesterday as adamant rainfall continued to downpour at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

Only a two-ball action was possible at the picturesque Pindi Cricket Stadium as the rain returned after Shaheen Shah Afridi cleaned up Tim Robinson with a perfectly crafted in-swinger.

As soon as it started raining again, the on-field umpires shook hands with the players and decided to call off the match.

The toss of the anticipated fixture between Pakistan and New Zealand was also delayed for about half an hour. New Zealand’s captain Michael Bracewell then won the coin toss and elected to bat first.

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Soon after, players from both teams gathered for the national anthems but the rain returned, causing the action to be delayed further.

The second spell of rain was heavier and it seemed likely that the match would be abandoned without a ball bowled.

A tireless effort from the ground staff went in vain as the rain returned again to sweep the possibility of a five-over match between Pakistan and New Zealand.

Pakistan squad

Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan

Reserves: Haseebullah, Mohammad Ali, Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Wasim Jr.

New Zealand squad

Michael Bracewell (c), Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (WK), Ish Sodhi, Tom Blundell, Zak Foulkes.

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Pakistan’s wicketkeeper batter Azam Khan is doubtful for the T20I series against New Zealand owing to discomfort in his right knee and right calf muscle.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued an update on Azam Khan’s injury ahead of the first T20I against New Zealand today.

“During Wednesday’s training session, Azam Khan experienced discomfort in his right knee and right calf muscle while batting in the nets. He promptly received medical attention and treatment,” the PCB said in a statement.

“Azam is currently under the care of the medical team, and a decision regarding his participation in the upcoming matches against New Zealand will be made pending the results of radiology reports.

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“The PCB will provide further updates in due course.”

It is worth mentioning here that Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Stadium will host the opening three T20Is between Pakistan and New Zealand on 18, 20 and 21 April before action shifts to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium where the last two matches will be played on 25 and 27 April.

Pakistan squad

Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan

Reserves: Haseebullah, Mohammad Ali, Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Wasim Jr.

New Zealand squad

Michael Bracewell (c), Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (WK), Ish Sodhi, Tom Blundell, Zak Foulkes.

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Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam is on the verge of breaking multiple records in T20I cricket during the upcoming home series against New Zealand.

The five-match T20I series will kick off on April 18 at Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Stadium, marking Babar Azam’s return as Pakistan captain.

The star batter has scored 3,698 runs in T20I cricket and is third among the highest run-scorers in the format.

Indian star batter Virat Kohli tops the list with 4,037, followed by his teammate Rohit Sharma, who has amassed 3,974 runs.

Azam needs 340 runs in five games to become the highest-scorer as well as the second batter to surpass the 4000-run mark in T20I cricket.

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The right-handed batsman has captained Pakistan in 71 T20I matches, leading them to 42 victories. He is only three wins short of the record for the most wins as a T20I captain.

The record is currently held by Uganda’s Brian Masaba, who led his team to 44 victories.

Moreover, former Australian batter Aaron Finch holds the record for scoring the most runs (2236) as captain in T20I cricket.

He is closely followed by Azam, who has accumulated 2195 runs and is all set to surpass the record tally.

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ISLAMABAD: The New Zealand cricket team has reached here in the wee hours of Sunday morning to play a five-match T20I series against Pakistan, commencing at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on April 18.

This is New Zealand’s third trip to the country in more than a year time as Kiwis have also played Test and ODI series.

The team members will have a complete rest on Sunday and are expected to start training from Monday evening onward at the Islamabad Club Cricket Ground and later at the Pindi Stadium.

Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Stadium will host the opening three T20Is between Pakistan and New Zealand on 18, 20 and 21 April before action shifts to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium where the last two matches will be played on 25 and 27 April.

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All five matches of the T20I series will begin at 7 pm PKT. Ticket prices for the series will be set at affordable rates for the fans to watch their favourite players in action.

New Zealand squad:

Michael Bracewell (c), Tom Blundell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Zak Foulkes, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (WK), Ish Sodhi.

Pakistan Squad:

Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan

Reserves: Haseebullah, Mohammad Ali, Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Wasim Jr.

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New Zealand’s inexperienced squad for the five-match away T20I series against Pakistan got weakened as hard-hitting opener Finn Allen and speedster Adam Milne have been ruled out of the series.

According to New Zealand Cricket (NZC), Allen and Milne suffered injuries in the team’s training session that concluded just hours before their departure for Pakistan.

Adam Milne felt discomfort in his ankle while Finn Allen sustained an injury to his back and were subsequently left out of New Zealand’s already depleted squad.

“We feel for both Finn and Adam, suffering injuries so close to the start of the tour. They have been strong performers for us in the T20 format since the last World Cup,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said.

“Our support staff and medical networks will be working closely with both players over the next few weeks to complete plans for their treatment and subsequent return to cricket.”

As a result, wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Blundell and all-rounder Zak Foulkes replaced Allen and Milne respectively.

Blundell has previously visited Pakistan while uncapped Foulkes will likely be making his debut for New Zealand.

“Zak has had an impressive season for Canterbury including being their leading wicket-taker in all three competitions,” Stead said.

“He has displayed impressive skills with the ball, particularly in T20 cricket for the Kings. We also know he has skills with the bat and it will be an excellent opportunity for him to be part of the group.”

New Zealand squad:

Michael Bracewell (c), Tom Blundell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Zak Foulkes, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (WK), Ish Sodhi.

Pakistan Squad:

Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan

Reserves: Haseebullah, Mohammad Ali, Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Wasim Jr.

New Zealand are slated to reach Pakistan on April 14, two days after Pakistan’s squad announcement, for the crucial series, leading to the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup.

Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Stadium will host the first three T20Is between Pakistan and New Zealand on 18, 20 and 21 April.

The two sides will then travel to Lahore to lock horns in the remaining two T20Is on 25 and 27 April, respectively.

READ: Selection committee explains Azam Khan’s inclusion in Pakistan squad

LAHORE: Uncapped batter Usman Khan as well as returning Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim are selected in the Pakistan squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand on Tuesday.

The national selection committee members Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq, Bilal Afzal, Mohammad Yousuf and Wahab Riaz announced the 17-member Pakistan squad for the five-match T20I series.

Amir and Wasim recently came out of international retirement and made themselves available for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and the series leading up to the mega-event.

Amir last played for Pakistan in 2020, while Wasim played during New Zealand’s last tour of Pakistan in 2023.

Usman Khan, who played the previous two editions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as an overseas player from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), impressed the selection committee with his consistent batting exploits.

He was then approached by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to consider representing his homeland and was subsequently selected for the fitness camp held in Kakul.

The top-order batter scored 430 runs in seven outings during PSL 9 last month, including two centuries.

Uncapped right-handed batter Irfan Khan Niazi also earned his maiden call-up on the back of his impressive performance in the PSL, scoring 171 runs in eight outings at a brilliant strike rate of 140.16.

Pace bowler Naseem Shah, who had been out of action since the Asia Cup in 2019, made his comeback in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

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Subsequently, he found his way back into the national team for the series against New Zealand.

Allrounder Mohammad Nawaz was dropped due to his bad form, while Haris Rauf is out with a shoulder injury, suffered during the PSL 9 game between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings.

Notably, this will be Babar Azam’s first assignment after his reinstatement as the white-ball captain of Pakistan.

New Zealand are slated to reach Pakistan on April 14 for the crucial series, leading to the ICC Men’s T20I World Cup.

Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Stadium will host the first three T20Is between Pakistan and New Zealand on 18, 20 and 21 April.

The two sides will then travel to Lahore to lock horns in the remaining two T20Is on 25 and 27 April, respectively.

Pakistan squad for T20I series against New Zealand

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan, Zaman Khan, Usama Mir

Non-travelling reserve: Sahibzada Farhan, Haseebullah Khan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Ali, Salman Ali Agha

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