PAK WON
T20
PAK beat NZ by 4 wickets
Man of the Match - Mohammad Rizwan
NZ
173-7
20.0/20 Ovrs
 
177-6
19.4/20 Ovrs
PAK
Pakistan in New Zealand, 3 T20I Series, 2020/21 |3rd T20I |12/22/2020
McLean Park, Napier
Commentary
  • Right then! Pakistan finally have something to cheer on this tour as New Zealand take the T20I series 2-1. That ends the limited overs leg on this tour. There is more on this tour as New Zealand and Pakistan clash in the two-match Test series. The first of which begins on the Boxing Day, 26th December 2020. That game begins at 1100 Local (2200 GMT, Previous Day). Till then take care, Cheers, Merry Chistmas in advance.
  • Kane Williamson, New Zealand skipper, starts by praising the opposition. Feels that they had a pretty good score on the board but mentions that Pakistan did well. Tells that Pakistan executed their plans really well. Reckons with dew it was really difficult for their bowlers. Tells that he is not sure about the injuries of Guptill and Sodhi but hopes they recover soon as they are important players for the team. Thanks the Pakistani team for coming over to the country for the series.
  • Shadab Khan, Pakistan skipper, says that he is happy to win but tells that they failed to perform better in the Powerplay in the first two matches and that costed them the series. Praises Rizwan and Hafeez for their performance and says that they need players like them. Says that he has learned a lot as a skipper of this young team. Feels that they didn't do too good in the field and they need to do better in that aspect. Says the win will boost the Test team as well.
  • Tim Seifert is named Player of the Series! He starts by saying that he is happy to win the series. Credits the opposition for performing well in this game. Feels that the conditions change with dew coming in and it was difficult for their bowlers. Hopes that the players who are playing the Test series will take the momentum from this series.
  • Mohammad Rizwan is named Player of the Match for his superb knock of 89. He tells that the win is a big one. Says they lost the series but going into the Test series, they wanted to take the momentum with a win. On him captaining the team in Test, Rizwan says that he cannot explain how happy and proud he is. On the knock here, Rizwan says that the management backed him and he is happy to perform. On the fans, Rizwan says that he is thankful to the crowd for supporting them here.
  • Earlier in the game, contributions from Seifert, Phillips and Conway saw the Kiwis post 173. It was Conway who provided the push towards the end and scored a fine half-ton. Pakistan were not too bad but they failed to execute their plans towards the end overs. Faheem Ashraf was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors as he took a 3-fer and gave just 20. Rauf and Afridi were hit all over the park in their 8-over combined spell and gave 87. Shadab was economical in his 4 overs and eventually, the score that they stopped the Kiwis, was scaled down by their batters. Stay tuned for the presentations as we get to know who the Man of the Match and also hear it from the two skippers...
  • New Zealand's bowling though had to face the challenge of the dew. They failed to get their deliveries right and allowed Pakistan to get away with the game. Boult was a bit on the expensive side as he failed to get any wickets. So was Scott Kuggeleijn but he though managed to get a couple to his name. James Neesham to was not spared as he got a wicket at the expense of 37 runs. Ish Sodhi walking off the field after pulling up his hamstring did not do any good to New Zealand as they were a bowler short and that cost them the game. Though Daryl Mitchell, the substitute fielder on for Martin Guptill was the pick of the fielders as he took 3 catches which also included a stunner to send back, Haider Ali
  • Rizwan though went past his maiden T20I fifty in the process as Hafeez fell for 41. Neesham later cut Khushdil Shah's stay in the middle as Faheem Ashraf too followed him back. Rizwan though continued his good work. Though a couple of wickets in the 19th over looked to derail Pakistan's march to the victory as Rizwan too went just when Pakistan were in touching distance of a victory but Iftikhar Ahmed kept his cool and saw the visitors home.
  • Chasing anything over 165 runs in T20s need a proper innings placement and approach and today was the day Pakistan displayed it. They started with Mohammad Rizwan and Haider Ali as the duo made their intentions clear with a well-composed 40-run stand. Though Haider Ali departed, Rizwan in the company of the experienced Hafeez continued Pakistan's ship sailing towards the target. The duo in just 51 deliveries added 72 for the second wicket.
  • Finally! Pakistan comes good with the bat on this tour. Brilliant placement of innings from them. It should give them a bit of hope going into the Test series.
  • 19.4
    6
    Kyle Jamieson to Iftikhar Ahmed, SIX! Where's that going? It has gone out of here! What a blow to win the game. A length from Jamieson and Iftikhar sends it out of the park over deep mid-wicket. Stunning shot to seal the game for. Pakistan win by 4 wickets.
  • 19.3
    0
    Kyle Jamieson to Iftikhar Ahmed, Short and wide outside off, Iftikhar slashes it hard but finds point. A dot. 3 from 3 needed now.
  • Hussain Talat comes out with the bat now.
  • 19.2
    W
    Kyle Jamieson to Mohammad Rizwan, OUT! TAKEN! Twist in the game? You never know! Rizwan departs after playing a superb innings though. He would've loved to see his side home but that won't be the case. A slower bouncer. Rizwan looks to pull but gets a top edge. It goes high in the air but goes as far as mid-wicket. Conway settles under it and takes the skier.
  • 19.1
    1
    Kyle Jamieson to Iftikhar Ahmed, Full and wide outside off, Iftikhar strokes it to sweeper cover for one.
  • END OF OVER 19 | 7 Runs & 1 Wkt | PAK 170/5
  • 18.6
    1
    Tim Southee to Iftikhar Ahmed, Short and outisde off, Iftikhar goes for the pull but this time it hits the upper part of his willow. A single on the last ball. Pakistan need 4 to win.
  • 18.5
    2
    Tim Southee to Iftikhar Ahmed, A couple now as Iftikhar pulls it wide of the man at fine leg.
  • 18.4
    4
    Tim Southee to Iftikhar Ahmed, FOUR! This should release the pressure off Pakistan. A length ball outside off, Iftikhar reaches out and hits it wide of the man at mid on who gives it a chase but comes second. Pakistan batting coach Younis Khan signals the boundary in the dressing room.
  • 18.3
    0
    Tim Southee to Iftikhar Ahmed, No hat-trick! A length ball around off, experienced Iftikhar  keeps it out.
  • Iftikhar Ahmed with the bat now. He will face the Hat-Trick ball from Southee.
  • 18.2
    W
    Tim Southee to Shadab Khan, OUT! TAKEN! Two-in-two for Southee! Shadab, the Pakistani skipper departs for a first-ball duck. Good length and just outside off, Shadab looks to cut but gets an outside edge to the keeper. Seifert is not going to miss out. Southee on a hat-trick here.
  • Shadab Khan with the bat now.
  • 18.1
    W
    Tim Southee to Faheem Ashraf, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! This game is not over as yet says Southee. He runs in and bangs it short and wide, Faheem looks to carve it on the off side but ends up getting a tickle behind. Seifert makes no mistake.
  • END OF OVER 18 | 13 Runs & 1 Wkt | PAK 163/3