Babar, Rauf Crush New Zealand in the Tri-Series:
In the second game of the ongoing Tri-nation series, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam played an outstanding unbeaten knock of 79 in the run chase, leading his team to a comprehensive six-wicket victory over New Zealand.Pakistan, who were supposed to chase 147, easily won in the 19th over with six wickets remaining.Pakistan got off to an unfavourable start when they lost their star batter, Mohammad Rizwan, early. Rizwan only managed to make 4 runs off 12 deliveries.Shan Masood, was unsuccessful in the effort to score runs as well. Shadab Khan was promoted to No.4 today and he played well. With two boundaries and the same number of sixes, he scored 34 off just 22.
Babar led his team in scoring with an outstanding 79 not out with 11 boundaries off just 53 deliveries. He won the player of the match for his amazing knock. Haider scored 10 runs off only 2 deliveries.Tim Southee and Trent Boult both struck out one batter, while Tickner, who had two wickets was New Zealand’s star bowler.New Zealand, after winning the toss and deciding to bat first, got off to a bad start as they lost opener Finn Allen (13) for a combined total of 16 in the third over.
After that, Devon Conway and captain Kane Williamson partnered up to secure the innings.Williamson and Conway continued to be too slow in losing their second wicket, giving up 52 balls in the process.Conway was struck by Mohammad Nawaz in the 11th over. With the help of two boundaries and sixes, the left-handed hitter led the team in scoring with 36 off 35 deliveries.
The left-arm spinner Nawaz then bowled Williamson in his subsequent over, dropping New Zealand to 88/3 after 13 overs. Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman led their team out of the rut and quickly scored 42 runs to lift the home team to a respectable total before Shahnawaz Dahani struck in the 18th over to dismiss Phillips for 18. When Haris took three wickets in his outstanding 19th over, including Chapman, who had just struck a rapid 32, the hosts started to lose wickets at an alarming rate. His 16-ball innings featured two sixes and three boundaries. In addition to Haris, Mohammad Nawaz and Mohammad Wasim Jr. both claimed two wickets, and Dahani claimed one wicket.