Fourth T20I between Pakistan Men’s Cricket Team and New Zealand Men’s Cricket Team has just finished in Christchurch with New Zealand winning by 7 wickets with 11 balls remaining and leading the five match series by 4-0.
Pakistan was asked to bat first as New Zealand won the toss and choose to ball first. Pakistan loses first wicket of Saim Ayub in the second over. Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan lead the scores until Babar Azam fell to Adam Milne in 7th Over. Pakistan again had an issue with the middle overs. The run rate got slower in the middle and the middle order batsmen for Pakistan again couldn’t make it through. Muhammad Rizwan was the highest run scorer for Pakistan scoring 90* off 63 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes. Muhammad Nawaz also contributed with his 21* off 9 balls. Matt Henry for for sure the bowler for the evening for the New Zealand taking 2 wickets and finishing with the economy of 5.50. 2 wickets for Lockie Ferguson and a wicket for Adam Milne. Pakistan finished with 158/5; giving the target of 159.
Pakistan started with the good run and took 3 wickets in the first 3 overs. Captain Shaheen leading from front took 3 wickets early but they couldn’t make it through the middle overs. Many dropped catches and poor fielding cost them the match. Daryll Mitchell and Glenn Philips made it for New Zealand scoring 72* off 44 balls and 70* off 52 balls respectively. Daryll Mitchell was warded the player of the match for his 72* off 44 balls. Shaheen finished with 3/34 while no other bowler from Pakistan was able to take wickets that cost them the match.
New Zealand register a comprehensive victory after a stutter early on, as Shaheen Afridi snapped up three wickets in his opening burst. However, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips carried out great rebuilding work, navigating their way through choppy waters to emerge on top once again. Pakistan continues to struggle, facing the threat of a clean sweep. Mohammad Nawaz couldn’t match the quality of Mitchell Santner in the middle overs and a crucial chance was put down as well. There were far too many loose balls that released pressure at pivotal moments. Once again, Pakistan didn’t get any substantial contributions from the middle order, and Mohammad Rizwan was the lone ranger who got Pakistan to a somewhat respectable score on this double-paced surface
The two teams will now face each other on Sunday on the same venue for their last T20I of the series.