Pakistan beats New Zealand with six-wickets in the ongoing tri-nation series in New Zealand. Skipper Babar Azam’s unbeaten 78 runs helped Pakistan chase the target of 148 runs.
New Zealand had won the toss and elected to bat first. Pakistani pacers restricted New Zealand to 148 runs. Haris Rauf and Muhammad Wasim Jr had been phenomenal with the ball. Babar Azam anchored the chase with his unbeatable 78 runs after Muhammad Rizwan lost an early wicket.
Shan Masood lost his wicket without scoring a run. The team management had promoted Shadab Khan to play at fourth number. Promoted up in the batting order, Shadab Khan scored 34 runs. After Shadab Khan, Muhammad Nawaz batting along with Babar Azam, cruised Pakistan to a comfortable victory. Haider Ali came in and hit consecutive boundaries.
No. 4 is good for Shadab Khan #BabarAzam𓃵 Haider Ali also did good pic.twitter.com/nYU0Mswc7u
— Shahzan⁵⁶ (@imshahzan56) October 8, 2022
Cricket fans appreciated the decision of the team management to change the middle order. Others said that it is a clear message to the underperforming middle order to take up responsibility before the T20 World Cup 2022 starts in the last week of October.
Read more: Middle order of Pakistan ‘out of order’ ahead of T20 World Cup
Babar Azam was declared man of the match in the game. Regarding the game, Babar said: “Definitely, we have a plan to send Shadab up to charge the bowlers, to utilize his skills,” Babar said.
“He played very well. We planned that I would go all the way and Shadab would take a chance.”
Star performers ⭐⭐#NZvPAK | #NZTriSeries pic.twitter.com/TDH5yutIPp
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 8, 2022
Yet another reminder that Pakistan run-chases are not recommended for those with a weak heart or those of a nervous disposition #NZvsPAK #Cricket
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) October 8, 2022
The 19th over of T20 cricket should be renamed the Rauf over #NZvsPAK
— Andrew McLean (@McleanOnCricket) October 8, 2022
Haris Rauf is one of the most improved cricketers in the world. Now added consistency to his pace and wicket-taking ability. This year in T20Is:
Overs 55.1
Runs conceded 443
Wickets 21
Economy-rate 8.03#NZvsPAK #Cricket— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) October 8, 2022
Pakistan played with the same squad as they played against Bangladesh. Both Naseem Shah and Muhammad Hasnain had been ruled out from today’s match after getting infected by viral infection.
Pakistan had earlier defeated Bangladesh. The tri-nation series will conclude on 14th October, after which the team will depart for Australia for T20 World Cup 2022. Pakistan will play its first match against India on October 23rd, 2022.