Babar Azam and Haris Rauf starred as Pakistan comfortably defeated New Zealand in the 2nd match of the T20I Tri-series in New Zealand. This was a big boost for Pakistan as they are playing away from home in conditions alien to them and yet managed to get a comfortable victory.
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Toss Update: New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first.
Having opted to bat first, New Zealand scored 147 runs on the board losing 8 wickets in 20 overs. In the absence of in-form Daryl Mitchell, things did not go well with the bat for the home team. Three of their batters got into the 30s but none went on to score big and they could only manage a par total on the board.
Just when New Zealand were going to hit the next gear, Haris Rauf picked up 3 wickets in the 19th over dismissing 3 good hitters in the Kiwis' line-up. That completely shifted the balance in Pakistan's favor. Mohammad Wasim too bowled well bagging 2 wickets conceding just 20 runs from his 4 overs.
Pakistan, chasing 148 runs to win, managed to score 149 runs losing just 4 wickets in 18.2 overs. Babar Azam (79* off 53 balls) remained unbeaten and scored most of the runs as his team got over the line with 10 balls to spare. Shadab Khan (34 off 22) who was promoted to no. 4 in this game also made a notable contribution with the bat.
For the record, Babar Azam was dropped by Glenn Phillips early on in the innings and that drop did cost the home team very dearly in the end!
Match result: Pakistan defeated New Zealand by a margin of 6 wickets.
Babar Azam has been adjudged as the Player of the Match for his crucial contribution of 79* not out off 53 deliveries with 11 fours.
Brief Scores: Pakistan: 149-4 in 18.2 overs (Babar Azam - 79*, Blair Tickner - 2-42) defeated New Zealand: 147-8 in 20 overs (Devon Conway - 36, Haris Rauf - 3-28) by a margin of 6 wickets
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