RAWALPINDI – Pakistan’s pace attack wreaked havoc as they defeated New Zealand by seven wickets in the second T-20 International at the Rawalpindi Stadium on Saturday.
Pakistan’s bowling remained on point as the Green Shirts bowled out New Zealand for just 90 runs.
Muhammad Rizwan was the top scorer with 45 runs. Pakistan faced an early setback as Saim Ayub and captain Babar Azam returned with 4 and 14 runs respectively.
Usman Khan failed to score big as he was reduced to 7, courtesy of Ish Sodhi.
In the first half of the game, Bracewll-led squad Caps never found their footing as they struggled against Pakistan’s pace attack. Fast bowler Shaheen Afridi sent Tim Seifert back to the pavilion for 12 runs in the third over.
Muhammad Amir, who returned to the national team after four years, got the wicket of Tim Robinson by conceding just four runs in his first over. He continued to trouble the Kiwi batting line-up, dismissing Dan Foxcroft in his second over with a simple catch by skipper Babar Azam.
Mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed struck twice in the ninth over, dismissing Mark Chapman and James Neesham for 19 and one run respectively.
Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah also added to the woes for the team, with only four New Zealand batsmen reaching double figures.
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Afridi took three wickets while Amir, Abrar and Shadab took two wickets each. Naseem managed to get a wicket, as Pakistan dominated the ball throughout the match.
Earlier on Saturday, Pakistan won the toss and decided to bowl first in the second T20 against New Zealand.
There was no change in the Pakistani squad while the visitors made a change in which Cole McConchie was included in place of Josh Clarkson, which was eliminated due to rain from the first game.
Pakistan squad for 2nd T20 against NZ
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
NZ squad
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