On this day in 2016: New Zealand chase down 171 in a T20I with 10 wickets in hand
On 17th January 2016, Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson took the Pakistan bowling attack to the cleaners and helped the Kiwis thrash their opponents with all 10 wickets in the kitty. Let us delve deep into this game to know more about this scintillating partnership between two behemoths of New Zealand cricket.
Pakistan batted first and posted a total of 168/7 on the board. Umar Akmal played a superb knock for the Pakistan outfit and scored 56* at a strike rate in excess of 200. Apart from Akmal, veteran batter Shoaib Malik chipped in with a handy 30-ball 39 as well.
Left-arm pacer Mitchell McClenaghan was the pick of the bowlers for the Black Caps, and scalped 2 wickets in his 4-over spell and leaked only 23 runs in the process as well.
In reply, New Zealand absolutely pounded the Pakistan bowling attack. All it took for New Zealand to overhaul the target set by the Pakistan side was just 17.4 overs. Legendary batters Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson sent the Pakistan bowlers on a leather hunt as they toyed with the bowling.
While Guptill plundered a murderous 58-ball 87*, Williamson helped himself to 72* off just 48 balls. Each and every Pakistan bowler who rolled his arm over was taken to the cleaners and none of the Pakistan bowlers leaked runs at an economy rate of less than 7.50 runs per over.
Mohammad Amir was absolutely walloped by the New Zealand openers and leaked 34 runs in the 3 overs that he bowled. Martin Guptill won the Player of the Match award for his resplendent knock that helped the Kiwis coast past the finish line with ease. Yes, 5 years have passed since this beatdown, but the New Zealand fans will surely remember this match with a sense of fondness and nostalgia.
