At Hamilton’s Seedon Park, New Zealand defeated Pakistan by a margin of 21 runs in the second Twenty20 International of the series.
Both of the visitors’ openers, Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub, were dismissed for just 10 runs in the first overs, making it difficult for them to score more than 195 runs right away.
After early wickets from Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, the latter amassed a healthy 87 runs in partnership, which allowed him to reach a well-earned half-century in 24 balls with three fours and five sixes. This combo allowed the Green Shirts to regain control of the game.
But as soon as Adam Milne replaced Fakhar, wickets began to fall, and after 14.3 overs, the visitors were down to 125-6.
Azam Khan (2 off 3), Aamer Jamal (9 off 8), and Iftikhar Ahmed (4 off 8) were unable to finish the game despite having a big impact on their team.
Similar to the first game, Babar Azam led the Men in Green in scoring with 66 runs off 43 runs and nine boundaries, but his efforts were in vain.
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Milne grabbed four wickets before Ben Sears and Ish Sodhi both claimed two.
Earlier in the first inning, Finn Allen scored 74 runs off just 41 balls, including five sixes and seven fours, to lead New Zealand to a 194-run total.
After Allen’s outstanding start, the home team appeared to be on course for a large total, but things took a turn for the worst when Usama Mir’s googly removed him in the 13th over.
When Allen returned to the pavilion, the home team was 137-2 after 13 overs, but they could only muster 57 runs in the next seven overs.
The form-leading Kiwis were restricted to 194 runs by the remarkable comeback of the Pakistani spinners, a total they may possibly aim for.
Haris Rauf of Pakistan claimed three wickets in the 19th over and continued to take wickets for the remainder of the innings. With the exception of captain Shaheen Afridi, every bowler on the opposing side recorded a wicket.
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