PAK vs NZ: Pakistan beats New Zealand in T20 World Cup

Pakistan has defeated New Zealand by 5 wickets with 13 balls remaining as the two teams clash in the T20 World Cup match (PAK vs NZ) in Dubai. Pakistan had earlier won the toss and elected to field first against New Zealand and restricted them to just 134 runs.

“We are going to bowl first,” said skipper Babar Azam at the toss. “We will take early wickets and put pressure on them.” It bears mentioning that it was New Zealand’s first match in the ICC T20 World Cup.

The black hats started their innings with caution, but ended up losing four wickets to Pakistan. New Zealand’s Martin Guptill managed to score just 17 runs before being dismissed by Haris Rauf while opener Daryl Mitchell added 27 runs to the total but ended up being sent back to the pavilion by Imad Wasim. Meanwhile, James Neesham scored just 1 run before being dismissed by Mohammad Hafeez.

New Zealand’s Kane Williamson added 25 runs from 26 balls before his sent back to the pavilion by Hassan Ali, while Tim Seifert scored 8 runs and dismissed by Shaheen Shah Afridi. Haris Rauf also took 3 other wickets of Devon Conway, Glenn Philips and Mitchell Santner.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan started Pakistan’s innings, however, their partnership was short lived as Babar Azam was dismissed by Tim Southee with just 9 runs scored. Mohammad Rizwan on the other hand scored 33 runs off 34 balls while Fakhar Zaman, who replaced Babar Azam, added 11 runs off 17 balls before being dismissed by Ish Sodhi.

Mohammad Hafeez scored 11 runs before being dismissed by Mitchell Santner, while Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali turned the match towards Pakistan’s favor by scoring 26 and 27 much needed runs from just 20 and 27 balls, while Imad Wasim scored 11 runs before being sent back to the pavilion by Trent Boult.

Haris Rauf was named Player of the Match (Man of the Match) after his impressive bowling performance and taking 4 wickets. After this victory in the PAK vs NZ match, Pakistan is placed third in the T20 World Cup team ranking.

Read more: PAK vs INDIA T20 World Cup Match: Pakistan Beats India.

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