An experienced and lethal Pakistan bowling lineup dominated a second-string New Zealand in the second T20I of the five-T20I series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. After a clinical bowling display to bowl the visitors out for 90, Mohammad Rizwan’s unbeaten 45 helped Pakistan chase down the total with seven wickets in hand and 47 balls to spare.
Poor start
Babar Azam won the toss and opted to field first. Shaheen Afridi drew first blood. Tim Seifert departed for a 10-ball 12 as he failed to pick the slower ball. Mohammad Amir in his first over got rid of Tim Robinson as he handed a simple catch to extra cover. Dean Foxcroft scored 13 runs from 14 balls before Amir got his second wicket. New Zealand are 35/3 after powerplay overs. Abrar Ahmed in his first over struck twice to dismiss Mark Chapman and Jimmy Neesham. At the halfway stage, NZ were 56/5.
Pakistan pacers wrap it up
Shadab Khan joined the party too and got skipper Michael Bracewell's wicket with a loosener of a delivery. He scored just four runs from 11 balls. As boundaries dried up, Cole McConchie struggled and got bowled by Afridi in the 15th over. He scored 15 runs from 18 balls. In the next over, Shadab got Ish Sodhi out lbw. Naseem returned and dismissed Ben Sears. Afridi wrapped up the innings in the 19th over. New Zealand got bowled out for 90 with 11 balls left in the innings. This was New Zealand’s lowest T20I total on Pakistan soil.
Rizwan leads the run chase
Pakistan's run chase did not get off to a desired start. Saim Ayub got out caught and bowled by Ben Lister on second ball. In the fourth over, Sears went for 16 runs as Mohammad Rizwan hit a six followed by a four. In the fifth over, Babar got out stumped off Bracewell's bowling. He scored 14 runs from 13 balls. Ish Sodhi in his first over dismissed Usman Khan. Irfan Khan in his debut innings contributed with a run-a-ball 18. Rizwan finished the run chase with a boundary on the first ball of the 13th over. Rizwan remained unbeaten for 45 off 34 balls including four fours and a six.
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