LAHORE: Pakistan secured a thrilling 9-runs victory against New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, leveling the five-match Twenty20 International series. The series ended 2-2, with Pakistan emerging victorious in the second and fifth T20Is.
Left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi starred with the ball once again, turning the game in Pakistan’s favor with a stellar performance in the 15th over. Afridi’s remarkable spell, which included dismissing James Neesham and Zakary Foulkes on consecutive deliveries, earned him figures of 4/30.
Chasing a target of 179 runs, New Zealand faced an early setback as Afridi removed Tom Blundell in the first over. Afridi also achieved a milestone, becoming the first bowler to take 50 wickets in T20 cricket in first over.
Despite a strong response from Tim Seifert, who scored a brisk 52 off 33 balls, Pakistan’s Usama Mir made significant contributions with the ball, claiming two crucial wickets and finishing with figures of 2/21.
In their innings, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 178/5, with captain Babar Azam leading the charge with a composed 69 off 44 balls. Usman Khan provided valuable support with 31 runs, while Fakhar Zaman contributed 43 runs.
Babar’s innings featured his 34th fifty in T20Is, and he also set a new record for the most fours in T20I history. Fakhar Zaman continued his good form from the previous game, while Shadab Khan’s quickfire cameo of 15 runs off just five balls bolstered Pakistan’s total to beyond 170.
