Rawalpindi (Web Desk/Agencies): Pakistan bowlers produced a stunning performance to dismantle New Zealand batting, helping their side to register a comfortable seven-wicket win in the second T20 International at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on late Saturday.
Set to chase a below-par 91 runs, Pakistan achieved the target in just 12.1 overs, led by Mohammad Rizwan’s unbeaten 45 off 34 balls.Pakistan suffered an early setback as Saim Ayub departed on the second ball of first over after hitting boundary on the first ball.
But Rizwan and captain Babar Azam rallied to add 37 runs for the second wicket. Following Babar’s departure for 14, Rizwan and Irfan Khan remained unbeaten, with their partnership of 36 runs sealing the victory with 47 balls remaining.
Earlier, the Black Caps struggled to build momentum after being asked to bat first. Shaheen Shah Afridi dispatched opener Tim Seifert in first over to set the tone for the innings. In total, he took 3 wickets.
Mohammad Amir’s, who was playing his first international T20 after four years was at his best as he claimed two crucial wickets. The spin combination of Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan shared four wickets to limit New Zealand to a below-par total of 90.
Naseem Shah grabbed one wicket.
Mark Chapman was the top scorer for New Zealand, managing just 19 runs as seven of their batters failed to reach double figures.
