PAK vs NZ: Babar Azam’s fabulous ton propels Pakistan to second T20I win
The second T20I of the five-match series between Pakistan and New Zealand took place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday, April 15, and the game saw the hosts tighten their grip on the series after the Black Caps suffered yet another defeat on foreign soil.
After winning the first game of the series by 88 runs, the Men in Green looked to register yet another win in the second game. Winning the toss, Babar Azam elected to bat first, and Pakistan got off to a sensational start in the first innings. Mohammad Rizwan scored a brilliant half-century, amassing 50 runs in 34 deliveries. On the other hand, skipper Babar Azam played a captain’s knock and led from the front.
The 28-year-old scored a magnificent ton with an unbeaten knock of 101 runs in just 58 deliveries to mount a huge total for the Black Caps to chase. After both openers’ blitzkriegs, Iftikhar Ahmed’s late push of 33* runs propelled Pakistan to a total of 192 runs after 20 overs.
Matt Henry put in a decent performance with the ball. The 31-year-old pacer struck twice, dismissing Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman, conceding 29 runs in the process. Apart from Henry, only Rachin Ravindra and James Neesham managed to take wickets with one wicket each under their belt.
Haris Rauf’s masterclass dismantles New Zealand’s batting attack
Coming in to chase the target in the second innings, the visitors got off to a subpar start. Skipper Tom Latham was sent back to the pavilion after scoring just 19 runs in 20 deliveries. On the other hand, Chad Bowes failed to make an impact, as he only managed to add 26 runs in 24 balls to the board as well.
After a sensational performance in the first T20I, pacer Haris Rauf put in a masterclass once again as the 29-year-old dismantled the Black Caps’ batting lineup, taking four wickets and conceding 27 runs in the four overs he bowled.
As the visitors crumbled under pressure, Mark Chapman’s late push of 65* runs in 40 deliveries gave some hope to the side. However, it was all in vain as Pakistan won the second T20I by 38 runs, thus maintaining a strong grip on the five-match series.
