Powerful Pakistan spin bowling avert a whitewash by winning the “very important” fourth Twenty20I of the five-match series against New Zealand. Skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi feels relieved. He claimed the series was meant to develop into the June T20 World Cup, but losing five from five would have been disappointing. Our game today was crucial. So we may advance as a unit “Shaheen added.
“In the previous four games, our fielding and batting units collapsed, but today we played as a team and needed the win. Pakistan spin bowling defeated the Black Caps for 92 after they were favored to chase the tourists’ 134-8. Home team defeated by 42 runs.
Powerful Pakistan spin bowling defeated the Black Caps for 92
Pakistan lost the five-match series 4-1, but Shaheen was thrilled to finish his first captaincy with a win after being outplayed in the previous four games. Getting here is difficult for any squad. We’re probably thinking about the World Cup. We’re assessing every player’s spot and giving youth chances.” Part-time off-spinner Iftikhar Ahmed made his series debut and recorded a career-best 3-24 against a weaker New Zealand batting order, who registered their second-lowest T20 total at home. Pakistan took the last eight wickets for 39 runs, with opener Finn Allen (22) and Glenn Phillips (26) passing 20. Shaheen scored 2-20 and left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz (2-18) was efficient with the new ball.
Kiwi hitters Kane Williamson (knee injury), Devon Conway (Covid-19), and Daryl Mitchell (rest) were out. Poor chase exposed chinks, said Captain Mitchell Santner. “We’ve looked pretty good batting first and defending but, looking at today, we may need a bit of work chasing,” remarked. In a chase like that, we speak about going deep, but we didn’t. “A good series overall. You want various individuals to step up at different times, and there were positive indicators.” The home team appeared to have done enough for a clean sweep after another disciplined bowling showing.
Spinner Ish Sodhi, seamers Tim Southee, Matt Henry, and Lockie Ferguson all took two wickets. Haseebullah Khan was bowled in the first maiden over by veteran Southee (2-19), who returned in the 13th over to dismiss dangerous Fakhar Zaman, who had raced to 33 off 16 balls. Soon after, top scorer Mohammad Rizwan left for 38 off 38. Pakistan’s next international match is five T20s at home to New Zealand in April, while New Zealand plays two Tests at home against South Africa.
