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Babar Azam-led Pakistan are a team on a mission. Pakistan were able to channel their aggression over Kiwi’s last-minute decision to abandon the tour and registered a convincing win over New Zealand to continue their emphatic run in the tournament after a massive 10-wicket win over India in their first match of T20 World Cup 2021. The 39-year-old Shoaib Malik turned out to be their saviour in a match that appeared to be slipping away from Pakistan’s grasp. Malik’s experienced innings was complimented by a fiery cameo from Asif Ali to help Pakistan chase down 135 with eight bowlers to spare and win the match by six wickets.
Ali blows Kiwis away
Asif Ali played the perfect role of finisher. Batting at no.7, Ali took on New Zealand’s experienced pacer Tim Southee in the 17th over to bring the required run rate under control. In the death overs, he did not let Kiwis make a comeback and hit Trent Boult for another six to seal the win. He shared a match-winning 48-run partnership for the sixth wicket and boosted Pakistan's net run rate by finishing the run chase early.
Experienced Malik to rescue
Shoaib Malik came in to bat after Mohammad Hafeez’s wicket, who played a cameo of six-ball 11. In the next over, the wicket of Mohammad Rizwan put more pressure on Pakistan. Malik took his time and in his typical fashion tried to keep the scoreboard running. After Imad Wasim’s wicket, Malik decided to take matters into his own hands. The veteran batter took on Kiwi spinners Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner to release pressure. The veteran of seven T20 World Cups was not a part of the initial Pakistan squad and was criticised after his last-minute inclusion. His 26-run knock off 20 deliveries brought calm to the crease and justified his selection in the team, especially to the criticism of former New Zealand cricket Simon Doull.
Rauf roars
In the first match, it was Shaheen Shah Afridi. Against the Kiwis, Haris Rauf went on a wicket-taking streak. Rauf opened his account with the wicket of New Zealand opener Martin Guptill. Rauf returned in the death overs to prevent Kiwis from finishing on a high. In 18th over, he got the wicket of Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell. Conway was looking dangerous and was looking to get the Kiwis close to 150. In the last over, he got the wicket of Mitchell Santner as well and finished with four wickets for 22 runs in his four overs.
