On Tuesday, in a rain-interrupted game, New Zealand routed Pakistan in the second 5-match series T20I, victoriously winning by 6 wickets. Pakistan batted first, scoring a respectable 135/9 in a 15-over-per-side match, yet New Zealand readily ran it down. Just as in the first T20I, Pakistan bowlers could not rise to meet the Kiwis. The batters of the home tore apart even Shaheen Afridi, the marquee pacer of the visiting team.
Shahen gave 31 runs in three overs against New Zealand, with 24 of those coming in a single over. At the University Oval in Dunedin, New Zealand wicket-keeper batter Tim Seifert blasted mayhem against Shaheen, driving him for 4 sixes including a maximum of 119 metres.
The second game revealed the visitors putting on a far better performance in contrast to Pakistan&’s first T20I performance. Pakistan captain Salman Agha conceded this during the post-match presentation.
Pakistan trailing 0-2 in the 5-match series cannot allow another match to be lost in the series. If they are to get back to winning ways, the skipper has asked his toporder to put on a more improved performance in powerplays.
It was brutally. Compared to the last game, this one was not bad. We hit very well. Fielding was superb. Bowling in increments helped. We need to recognize the rebound is something else. We bowled well following the powerplay. Haris’ bowling was decent. In the powerplay, we need to be improved. We have to improve our powerplay as a group batting. And just as perfect since bowling, he said.
