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Pakistan lacked power in their powerplay game as they were handed a five-wicket defeat by hosts New Zealand in a rain-curtailed 15 overs per side game. With the ball, Pakistan pacers conceded eight sixes in first five overs. Earlier, their opening batters were dismissed cheaply as well putting pressure on middle-order batters. Following the second defeat of the series, captain Salman Agha has called for a better show from his teammates in the powerplay overs.
"After Powerplay we bowled really well. I think spinners bowled well, and then Harris came, and he bowled really well. I think we bowled well in patches, and at the same time, we didn't bowl well in the Powerplay. We need to be a bit better in Powerplay and we need to be a bit more consistent. I think as a batting unit, we need to have a better Power play as well, so probably something we need to improve," Salman said in the post-match presentation.
Pakistan openers disappoint again
Pakistan were put to bat first by captain Michael Bracewell. Hasan Nawaz went for an uncontrolled aggressive shot and was caught by Mark Chapman off Jacob Duffy's bowling. This was Nawaz's second consecutive duck. He is yet to score his first run in international cricket. Mohammad Haris managed to hit two boundaries but he was not in control of his shots either. On the first ball of the fourth over, Haris slashed and was caught at third man by Duffy. He departed after scoring 11 runs from 10 balls.
After five overs, Pakistan were 36/2. Salman pushed the scoring rate in the middle overs. He departed after scoring 46 runs from 28 balls. Cameos from Shadab Khan (14-ball 26) and Shaheen Afridi (14-ball 22 not out) helped Pakistan post 135/9.
Pakistan pacers taken to cleaners
After the cameo, Afridi was full of confidence. He started the defense with a maiden over against Tim Seifert. But, it went downhill from there. Finn Allen hit Mohammad Ali for three sixes in his first over. In Afridi's next over, Seifert hit him for four sixes. After Khushdil Shah's over, Ali was given another over. He got Seifert's wicket but conceded 16 runs. New Zealand were 66/1 after five overs. Despite wickets in middle overs, New Zealand chased down the target with five wickets in hand and 11 balls to spare.
Salman points out positives
After getting bowled out for 91 in the first T20I, Salman feels the new-look Pakistan team played better. He lauded the fiellding but asked his teammates to be more consistent.
"It was freezing (out there), but it was a good game. It was a better game than the last game, a lot of positives, but obviously, a few work to do. I think we've batted a bit better within this game, but it would still need to be a better finish as well, fielding was outstanding, and bowling in patches was good, but we need to be a bit more consistent," he said.
Pakistan will have a chance to stay alive in the five-T20I series at Eden Park, Auckland on March 21.
