Pakistan and New Zealand clashed with each other in the second T20I at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday. The hosts completely dominated the contest and defeated the Black Caps to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir sizzle with brilliant bowling
Opting to bowl first, Pakistan’s bowlers were on fire from the get-go. Shaheen Afridi (3/13) led the charge with a fiery spell, ably supported by Mohammad Amir (2/13) and Abrar Ahmed (2/15). The New Zealand batters struggled to find momentum, with only Mark Chapman (19) and Cole McConchie (15) managing to reach double figures. The entire Kiwi batting lineup was dismissed for a meagre 90 runs in 18.1 overs.
Pakistan complete easy chase
Chasing a modest target, Pakistan openers Mohammad Rizwan (45) and Babar Azam (14) got their team off to a steady start. Though Rizwan anchored the chase with a composed knock, wickets fell at regular intervals at the other end. However, a crucial innings of 18 runs from Irfan Khan ensured Pakistan crossed the finish line comfortably in the 13th over, losing only 3 wickets.
Also READ: PAK vs NZ 2024, 3rd T20I – Match Prediction, Dream11 Team, Fantasy Tips & Pitch Report | Pakistan vs New Zealand
Here is how Twitter reacted:
An easy win for Pakistan in the 2nd T20I 👊#PAKvNZ #cricket
Scorecard: https://t.co/fKg6DoqiID #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/1WbqGY2ojS
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) April 20, 2024
Babar Azam now has 79 wins as captain of Pakistan in international cricket, the second-most after Imran Khan (89). #PakvNZ
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) April 20, 2024
The hosts take an early lead in the series at Pindi Cricket Stadium. Scorecard | https://t.co/XuCNOq5pHN #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/9wVeCjqNpZ
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 20, 2024
Fastest to 3000 T20I runs
By innings
79 – Mohammad Rizwan🇵🇰 (reaches today)
81 – Virat Kohli🇮🇳
81 – Babar Azam🇵🇰#PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/UKXxEhunD2
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) April 20, 2024
Pakistan go 1️⃣ up in the series with a thumping seven-wicket win in Rawalpindi 👏#PAKvNZ | #AaTenuMatchDikhawan pic.twitter.com/05DMYDE3F8
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 20, 2024
Rizwan woke up and chose to break KOHLI’s record, fastest 3000 runs in just 79 innings..🔥#PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/dXlmPPA7cu
— King Babar Azam Army (@babarazamking_) April 20, 2024
Abrar Ahmed varying his pace well today and looking to book that spot for the T20 WC. #PakvNz pic.twitter.com/Ac5DANRIcs
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) April 20, 2024
That’s Reality 😳#SRHvDC #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/q9O4db5qTD
— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) April 20, 2024
A Dream come true 🥹🫶#PAKvNZ #BabarAzam𓃵 pic.twitter.com/V8KuDQ3gUC
— زینب حسین (@jahanzay_12) April 20, 2024
Shaheen Shah Afridi is the Man of the Match. The Eagle is back.🦅🔥#PAKvsNZ | #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/jCF7obRhy4
— 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐟 ⁵⁶ (@SalmanAsif2007) April 20, 2024
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