Lahore: New Zealand set a target of 183 runs in the first T20 once morest Pakistan. Fakhar Zaman (47) and Saim Ayub (47) helped Pakistan win the toss and bat at the Lahore Gaddafi Stadium. All were out in 19.5 overs. Surprisingly, not a single half-century was scored in Pakistan’s innings. Matt Henty took three wickets for New Zealand. Adam Milne and Ben Lister have two wickets each. The Kiwis started batting in reply and lost three wickets. Only 29 runs are on the scoreboard in five overs.
Pakistan got off to a bad start. With just 30 runs on the scoreboard, they lost the wickets of Mohammad Rizwan (8) and Babar Azam (9). Both were returned by Adam Milne. But the combination of Fakhar and Ayub saved Pakistan from collapse in the fourth wicket. Both added 79 runs. But the partnership fell apart when Ayub was run out. Fakhar was dismissed by Ish Sodhi, Shadab Khan (5) and Iftikhar Ahmed (0) by Henty, and Pakistan were reduced to 131 for six.
Later, the innings of Imad Wasim (16) and Faheem Ashraf (22) led Pakistan to a respectable score. Harris Rauff’s (11 off five balls) innings also helped in the final overs. Shaheen Afridi (1) is the other player out. Zaman Khan (0) not out.
Abdul Razak vs New Zealand
Former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq expressed doubts regarding the quality of the New Zealand team that arrived for the T20 series once morest Pakistan. Some of the Kiwis have left for the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Some were out due to injuries. Razaq said that a cricketer’s first priority should be the national team and it was surprising how some of the players had obtained a No-Objection Certificate (NOC).
New Zealand should have sent their best team. Some players went to IPL. Some are injured. I don’t think they have much interest in this series. New Zealand had their best team for the Test series. Some exciting matches were also held. But now they seem to have sent a team as per the situation, he added.
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Last Updated Apr 14, 2023, 11:58 PM IST
