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PAK beat NZ by 2 runs | Pakistan vs New Zealand, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st T20I Match - Commentary
Pakistan and New Zealand in UAE, 3 T20I Series, 2018
Date: Oct 31, 2018 Start Time: 21:30 IST | 16:00 GMT | 20:00 LocalVenue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
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Pakistan vs New Zealand Highlights And Cricket Score 1st Match - T20I Commentary
Now, the target is a tricky one and it won't be easy for New Zealand to chase this down. Also, Pakistan have never lost a game in the UAE when they have scored above 130 batting first. So history is favoring them at the moment. But the visitors do have a batting line-up capable of overhauling the target. Who will hold the edge after the first T20I?
The New Zealand bowlers were exceptionally for most parts of the innings. Adam Milne was the pick as he finished with a two-fer. Sodhi was economical and the rest also did well. Their fielding was even better. A special mention to Glenn Phillips who was a live wire out there.
Pakistan at one staged looked like they would struggle to cross the 140-run mark. Especially when Ahmed and Malik both fell in one over. But 25 runs from the last two overs, courtesy Imad Wasim and Faheem Ashraf has seen them finish two runs short of 150.
A strong finish by Pakistan has seen them finish with a total they would be extremely confident of defending. After electing to bat, they did not have a Powerplay to remember as they were 31 for the loss of 2 wickets. Asif Ali and Hafeez then joined forces and added 67 runs. However, just as the two decided to step on the gas, the latter perished 5 short of a half ton. Ali soon followed him and then the runs dried up.
Tim Southee to Imad Wasim. SIX! You bet they can! A maximum to end the innings. 10 from the last two balls and 14 from the final over. Top shot that by Imad. He goes down on one knee and slog sweeps it over the mid-wicket fence. He was helped by Southee as he bowled a full toss but you still got to put it away and he did. PAKISTAN END WITH 148 ON THE BOARD!
Tim Southee to Imad Wasim. FOUR! And they have got it on the penultimate ball. Short and outside off, Wasim smashes it past the bowler and to the long off fence. One ball to go, can Pakistan end it with a bang?
Tim Southee to Faheem Ashraf. Back of a length on off, Faheem pushes it through covers for a run. Need a boundary here Pakistan.
Tim Southee to Faheem Ashraf. Lovely stuff! A yorker outside off, can't do a lot with that. Ashraf fails to jam it out.
Tim Southee to Imad Wasim. DROPPED! So after three brilliant catches, New Zealand have put down a sitter. Ish Sodhi is the culprit. Imad tries to play the paddle scoop but there is hardly any pace on the ball. It lobs towards Sodhi at short fine leg. He misjudges it and stops as he is tracking back. Then realises the ball is falling behind him so sticks a hand up and tries to take it with one hand but fails to hang on. A run taken.
Tim Southee to Imad Wasim. Slower ball outside off, Imad hits it through covers, not off the middle but enough to get two.
Tim Southee to bowl the last over.
Adam Milne to Faheem Ashraf. SIX! HAMMERED! A short ball outside off, Faheem pulls it over mid-wicket for a massive hit! 11 runs from the over, Milne finishes with 2/28 in 4 overs.
Adam Milne to Faheem Ashraf. A short ball again, but slower in pace, Ashraf looks to pull again but is beaten by the change in pace.
Adam Milne to Faheem Ashraf. A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a couple.
Adam Milne to Faheem Ashraf. WIDE. Full and down the leg side, FA misses out on the flick.
Adam Milne to Faheem Ashraf. Outside off, Ashraf tries to ramp it over the keeper but misses.
Adam Milne to Imad Wasim. Outside off, dabbed to third man for a single.
Adam Milne to Faheem Ashraf. NOT OUT. Waste of the review. Clearly pitching outside leg. No need to check any further. Faheem missed out on the flick shot and was hit on the pads. Adam Milne felt it was out and Williamson went with him. Meanwhile, a leg bye was stolen.
A review for LBW! That seemed to be pitching outside leg to the naked eye. Let's check...
Imad Wasim walks out to the middle. Also, Adam Milne is the new man in.
Ish Sodhi to Faheem Ashraf. OUT! A direct hit and Shoaib Malik has been run out! The last thing Pakistan needed. Now 150 seems a touch farfetched. But once again it is an outstanding fielding effort. Anderson pulls out something brilliant for the second time in the space of three balls. Faheem hits it down to long on and the batsmen take a run. Malik wants a second and he rushes towards the other end. Seeing the fielder get to the ball quickly, Ashraf sends Malik back from the point of no return. He turns and also puts in a dive but the direct hit from the deep ensures he has to take the long walk back.
Ish Sodhi to Shoaib Malik. On the pads, worked around the corner for a run.
Faheem Ashraf is the new man in.
Ish Sodhi to Sarfraz Ahmed. OUT! Another superb catch in the field! This time by Anderson. Sodhi gets his revenge. This is floated up on middle, Ahmed dances down the track and tries to go big. He is not to the pitch of the ball but still goes through with the shot. The ball turns away a touch which makes the shot a little more tougher. It takes the top edge and lobs towards long off. Anderson there makes good ground to his right, dives and holds onto it. So New Zealand are taking wickets at regular intervals, the perfect way to stop the run-flow.
Ish Sodhi to Sarfraz Ahmed. SIX! Much, much-needed! Sarfraz brings out the slog sweep, connects well and it sails over the square leg stand for a biggie.
Ish Sodhi to Shoaib Malik. Flatter and outside off, Malik cuts it to point for another single.
Ish Sodhi to Sarfraz Ahmed. A single to start the 18th. New Zealand won't mind that. Short and on middle, it is pulled to deep mid-wicket for a run.
Tim Southee to Shoaib Malik. A dot to end! Short and wide outside off, Malik misses the cut shot. So despite a boundary in the over, it only costs 7.
Tim Southee to Shoaib Malik. A run out opportunity goes abegging. A reprieve there for Sarfraz. It was short and on middle, again it was the seam up ball. Malik mistimes his pull towards mid-wicket. Ahmed is off for a single but Malik is not interested. Sarfraz tries to get back but is too late. However, to his fortune, Southee fails to collect the throw by the fielder and breaks the stumps with his hands. Sarfraz makes it in safely.
Tim Southee to Sarfraz Ahmed. The seam up ball now, Ahmed was not expecting it. He is late onto the shot and it goes towards covers for a run.
Tim Southee to Sarfraz Ahmed. A couple now but this is poor from Southee. Can't give so much width with third man up. Outside off, Ahmed plays it square on the off side for a couple.
Tim Southee to Sarfraz Ahmed. FOUR! With third man up, any sort of an edge will go to a boundary. Short and slower ball outside off, Ahmed tries to cut but gets an outside edge, past short third man for a boundary.
Tim Southee to Sarfraz Ahmed. Another dot! Short and outside off, Ahmed tries to guide it down to third man but is beaten.
Tim Southee back on.
Ish Sodhi to Sarfraz Ahmed. Yes, only a run as Sarfraz guides it down to short third man for a single. 5 from the 16th.
Ish Sodhi to Shoaib Malik. Flatter and on middle, Malik works it through mid-wicket for a run. Can he end this over well?
Ish Sodhi to Sarfraz Ahmed. Just a single! A brilliant over till now. Short and outside off, Ahmed chops it to point for a single.
Ish Sodhi to Sarfraz Ahmed. Makes room and smashes it to covers. A dot, gold at this stage.
Ish Sodhi to Sarfraz Ahmed. Another tossed up ball, Ahmed hits it hard down towards long on. The fielder runs to his left and keeps it to two.
Ish Sodhi to Sarfraz Ahmed. Tosses it up on middle, kept out.
Ish Sodhi is back on.
Colin de Grandhomme to Sarfraz Ahmed. Fullish and on off, Ahmed times it down to long off for a run. 9 runs from the over but the wicket of the power-hitter as well.
Colin de Grandhomme to Shoaib Malik. Does the smart thing now, he taps it towards covers and takes a run. Follows the boundary with a single.
Colin de Grandhomme to Shoaib Malik. FOUR! EDGY AGAIN! Pakistan won't care though. Full and outside off, Malik plays inside the line, the ball takes the outside edge and races to the third man fence.
Colin de Grandhomme to Sarfraz Ahmed. Back of a length outside off, Ahmed guides it through point for a single.
Colin de Grandhomme to Sarfraz Ahmed. WIDE! Way down the leg side, Ahmed lets it be.
Shoaib Malik is the new man in.
Colin de Grandhomme to Asif Ali. OUT! In the air...taken! Another ripper of a catch. Glenn Phillips is the man this time. He has been outstanding in the field today. It is once again the slower ball on middle, Ali swings but the ball goes off the inner half towards deep mid-wicket. It is dipping on the fielder. He makes good ground forward, then dives and takes it inches above the surface. Another huge wicket as Asif Ali can be very dangerous at the death. Both the set batsmen now in the hut. Just what New Zealand wanted, especially with only 5 overs to go after this one.
Colin de Grandhomme to Sarfraz Ahmed. Slower ball on the pads, Sarfraz works it to short fine leg for a run.
Ajaz Patel to Sarfraz Ahmed. A single to finish! So a good comeback by him after going for a boundary. He again fires it very full outside off, Ahmed hits it to sweeper cover for a run. Also, that is the end of his spell. 4-0-27-1 is how his figures reads. Good job by the left-arm spinner.
Ajaz Patel to Sarfraz Ahmed. Makes room but Patel fires a yorker. He jams it out. Two dots in a row.
Ajaz Patel to Sarfraz Ahmed. Flatter and outside off, Ahmed guides it to point.
Ajaz Patel to Asif Ali. Works it with the angle through mid-wicket for a run.
Ajaz Patel to Sarfraz Ahmed. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. One run added to the total.
Ajaz Patel to Sarfraz Ahmed. FOUR! Ideal start to the over! That has been swept brilliantly. Down the leg side, Ahmed sweeps it through backward square leg and the ball races away.
Ajaz Patel to bowl out. 3-0-20-1 so far.
Colin de Grandhomme to Sarfraz Ahmed. 7 from the over, a decent one from Colin. Sarfraz eases it down to long off for a run.
Colin de Grandhomme to Sarfraz Ahmed. FOUR! DEFT! Sarfraz clears his front leg to go over the leg side. The ball though is bowled outside off, Ahmed guides it through backward point for a boundary.
Colin de Grandhomme to Sarfraz Ahmed. On the pads, the batsman fails to flick it and is hit on the pads.
Colin de Grandhomme to Asif Ali. Fullish and on off, Ali hits it down to long off for a run.
Colin de Grandhomme to Sarfraz Ahmed. Once again it is flicked off his pads for a run.
Colin de Grandhomme to Sarfraz Ahmed. On middle, worked to mid-wicket.
Colin de Grandhomme is back on.
Adam Milne to Asif Ali. Slower ball outside off, Ali tries to cut but is way too early into the shot. A dot to end a successful over.
Adam Milne to Sarfraz Ahmed. Outside off, guided down to third man for a run. Ahmed is off the mark.
Sarfraz Ahmed walks out to the middle. He has promoted himself up the order.
Adam Milne to Mohammad Hafeez. OUT! WHAT A CATCH! Tim Southee, you beauty! A much-needed breakthrough for New Zealand and it had to be something special to separate the two. It is short and wide outside off, Hafeez cuts it hard to the left of point. When he hit it, he would have thought there were runs on offer but it was not to be. Southee dives full stretch and takes a blinder. Not easy for the tall man to go down so quickly and grab it. Hafeez' superb knock is over but his partnership with Ali has steadied the ship.
Adam Milne to Mohammad Hafeez. Good comeback by the bowler. Fast and on the stumps, kept out.
Adam Milne to Mohammad Hafeez. EDGY FOUR! Pakistan now getting a move on. Shorter and outside off, Hafeez hops and tries to cut but gets a top edge and into the third man fence.
Adam Milne to Asif Ali. Slower ball to begin with on the shorter side, Ali mistimes his pull towards mid-wicket for a run.
Adam Milne is back on.
Ajaz Patel to Asif Ali. Ends the over with a single. A good one for Pakistan, 11 from it. It is worked through square leg for a run.
Ajaz Patel to Mohammad Hafeez. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
Ajaz Patel to Mohammad Hafeez. SIX! Clean as a whistle! How delightful was that shot! Hafeez uses his feet and gets to the pitch of the ball. He nonchalantly hits it over the long on fence for a maximum.
Ajaz Patel to Asif Ali. Dances down the track but Patel smartly fires it outside off, Ali hits it towards covers for a run.
Ajaz Patel to Mohammad Hafeez. Quicker and flatter again on the stumps, giving the batsman no room to play with. Hafeez eases it down to long on for a run.
Ajaz Patel to Asif Ali. This is flatter and on middle, it is worked down to long on for a run.
Ajaz Patel is back into the attack.
Ish Sodhi to Mohammad Hafeez. Gets on the front foot in defense.
Ish Sodhi to Asif Ali. SPECTACULAR PHILLIP! A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket. The ball is racing towards the boundary but Glenn Phillips puts in a full-length dive to his left to make a terrific stop.
Ish Sodhi to Asif Ali. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Ish Sodhi to Asif Ali. WIDE. Well outside off, left alone. THE 50-RUN STAND HAS COME UP WITH THAT.
Thehandsomehunk - 'Hey commentator - seems like you missed about Sodhi's birthday...' @thehandsomehunk - Indeed we have. He has turned 26 today.
Ish Sodhi to Mohammad Hafeez. Full on middle, flicked straight to mid-wicket for a single.
Ish Sodhi to Asif Ali. Short and outside off, cut through the covers for a run.
Ish Sodhi to Mohammad Hafeez. A short ball, around off, punched towards long on for a single.
Colin Munro to Asif Ali. SIX! Massive hit! Full and outside off, Asif gets down and mows it over mid-wicket for a biggie!
Colin Munro to Mohammad Hafeez. The batsman has pushed it to the cover region. One run added to the total.
Colin Munro to Asif Ali. Full on middle, pushed through mid-wicket for a run.
Colin Munro to Mohammad Hafeez. Drives it straight down the ground for a single.
Colin Munro to Mohammad Hafeez. FOUR! Neatly done. Short and outside off, Hafeez cuts it behind point for a boundary!
Colin Munro to Mohammad Hafeez. DROPPED! Colin nearly strikes with his first ball. Full and outside off, Hafeez comes forward to drive but is done in by the lack of pace. He gets a thick outside edge behind but Tim Seifert, standing up to the stumps, is unable to take it.
Another bowling change. Colin Munro to bowl now.
Ish Sodhi to Mohammad Hafeez. Another punch through the covers for another single.
Ish Sodhi to Asif Ali. On middle and leg, flicked away for one.
Ish Sodhi to Mohammad Hafeez. Punches this towards long on for a run.
Ish Sodhi to Mohammad Hafeez. Outside off, punched back to the bowler.
Ish Sodhi to Mohammad Hafeez. OUT? Caught behind? Nope. Excellent umpiring by Shozab Raza. Down the leg side, Hafeez misses his flick and there is a noise as the ball goes past. Tim Seifert collects and immediately goes up in an appeal but the umpire calmly shakes his head. Williamson comes running in for the review but he is suggested by his teammates not to take it. Snickometer shows a spike when the ball passed the pad.
Ish Sodhi to Asif Ali. On middle, flicked through mid-wicket for a single. The stand moves to 30 from 24 balls.
First sign of Ish Sodhi.
Colin de Grandhomme to Asif Ali. MISFIELD. By Williamson. A rarity. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover but Kane Williamson misfields and the batsmen take a run.
Colin de Grandhomme to Mohammad Hafeez. Full and outside off, stops on the batsman, MH is early into his push and spoons the ball in the air. Luckily for him, it is in the gap at cover and he gets a single.
Colin de Grandhomme to Mohammad Hafeez. FOUR! FETCH THAT! Short and it is dispatched. Outside off, pulled with absolute disdain through mid-wicket. Glenn Phillips races to his right, flings himself to try and stop the ball, but in vain.
Colin de Grandhomme to Mohammad Hafeez. Gets it wide of the man at short mid-wicket this time and comes back for the second.
Colin de Grandhomme to Mohammad Hafeez. Full on middle, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
Colin de Grandhomme to Mohammad Hafeez. Full and around off, watchfully defended.
Colin de Grandhomme introduced into the attack now.
Tim Southee to Asif Ali. Outside off, played straight to short third man. Wants a single but is sent back. Decent over from Southee, apart from that surprising six. Good Powerplay for New Zealand. Just 31 runs conceded, 2 wickets taken and only 5 boundaries given.
Tim Southee to Mohammad Hafeez. A short ball now, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Tim Southee to Mohammad Hafeez. SIX! Ho ho ho! Hafeez, you beauty! T20 cricket gives no respect to a bowler or a batsman. Southee is a pace bowler but the Professor has toyed with him on this ball, as if he were a school kid. Gets down on a knee and paddles it wayyy over fine leg! Surely Southee would not have expected that, going by the way the previous two balls were played. First biggie of the night. The stand is worth 20 from 15 balls while Hafeez has moved to 15 from 13 balls.
Tim Southee to Mohammad Hafeez. Around off, defended watchfully.
Tim Southee to Mohammad Hafeez. Comes down the track but Southee gives him no room. Is forced to defend.
Tim Southee to Mohammad Hafeez. On middle and leg, pushed towards mid on.
Tim Southee to bowl now.
Adam Milne to Mohammad Hafeez. Another length ball, flayed uppishly towards third man for a run. 10 from that over.
Adam Milne to Mohammad Hafeez. A length ball this time, punched through point but this time Glenn Phillips puts in an outstanding dive to his right to stop the ball.
Adam Milne to Mohammad Hafeez. FOUR! Right from the textbook by the Professor! Short and outside off, plenty of room to free the arms, Hafeez accepts it and crashes it past a diving backward point to the boundary! The stand moves to 13 from 9 balls.
Adam Milne to Mohammad Hafeez. A length ball outside off, generates extra pace and bounce, Hafeez is forced to jump and defend and gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.
Adam Milne to Asif Ali. Outside off, steered towards third man for a single.
Adam Milne to Asif Ali. FOUR! FEROCIOUS! Seems he was expecting that short ball. Is camped back in the crease and pulls it in a flash over mid-wicket.
Ajaz Patel to Mohammad Hafeez. Punches it straight to cover. Just the boundary and a wicket from the over, Ajaz' figures read 2-0-9-1.
Ajaz Patel to Mohammad Hafeez. FOUR! Fine way to get off the mark. Full and outside off, Hafeez comes down the track and lofts it over cover for a boundary!
Ajaz Patel to Mohammad Hafeez. Jumps out of his crease this time but is not quite to the pitch of the ball. Mistimes his drive towards mid on.
Ajaz Patel to Mohammad Hafeez. Much fuller, Hafeez pushes it towards short extra cover.
Ajaz Patel to Mohammad Hafeez. Pretty straight, blocked back to the bowler.
Here comes the Professor. Mohammad Hafeez is in at number 4, replacing Farhan.
Ajaz Patel to Sahibzada Farhan. OUT! Straight to the man! The dropped catch does not count and both the openers are back in the hut in the space of 6 balls. MAIDEN T20I WICKET FOR AJAZ PATEL. Full and around off, Farhan gets down and sweeps it hard and in the air. However, it does not have that much power and finds Colin Munro to perfection at deep square leg! The Kiwis are pumped up and why not?
Adam Milne to Sahibzada Farhan. Drives it down the ground for a run. 2 runs and a wicket from Milne's opener.
Adam Milne to Sahibzada Farhan. A rash shot. The length is short, but Farhan pulls without any feet movement and is beaten.
Adam Milne to Asif Ali. Outside off, on a length, steered to third man for a single.
Adam Milne to Asif Ali. Around off, defended watchfully.
Asif Ali comes in at number 3, replacing Babar.
Adam Milne to Babar Azam. OUT! Caught behind! Dear me, Milne has got the Bradman-esque Azam. A short ball outside off, Babar looks to cut but there is steep bounce and pace on that. As a result, he is cramped for room and only manages to get a thick outside edge. Easy catch for Seifert. Body blow for Pakistan.
Adam Milne to Babar Azam. Short and outside off, extra bounce, played towards backward point.
Adam Milne is brought on.
Tim Southee to Sahibzada Farhan. Looks to flick but the ball goes off the inside edge to short fine leg. He wants a run but is then sent back.
Tim Southee to Sahibzada Farhan. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Tim Southee to Sahibzada Farhan. DROPPED! Oh dear... would you believe it? A Kiwi has dropped a catch. Replays confirm that the ball went straight into the palms of Adam Milne at mid on, but then dropped down. It was just a chip from Farhan to mid on and should have been taken. No wonder Farhan did not move when the Kiwis were celebrating and the umpires referred it upstairs.
Is that a wicket? Adam Milne has taken the catch but he is not claiming it. The umpires have referred it upstairs and the soft signal is OUT.
Tim Southee to Babar Azam. Down the leg side, BA misses his flick and the ball goes off his pads through square leg. A leg bye taken.
Tim Southee to Babar Azam. Lovely shot. Full on middle, Babar drives it straight down the ground for a couple.
Tim Southee to Babar Azam. A length ball outside off, Azam looks to punch but the ball barely comes off the surface. Takes the inner half and hits him on the pads.
Tim Southee to bowl from the other end.
Ajaz Patel to Sahibzada Farhan. On middle and leg, flicked straight to short mid-wicket. Excellent comeback from the debutant after going for a boundary on the first ball.
Ajaz Patel to Sahibzada Farhan. Outside off, punched towards mid on.
Ajaz Patel to Babar Azam. Gets it much fuller, it is pushed through mid on for a quick single.
Ajaz Patel to Babar Azam. Another cut shot, cannot beat cover once more.
Ajaz Patel to Babar Azam. Short again, lucky to get away with it this time. Babar rocks back to cut but finds cover.
Ajaz Patel to Babar Azam. FOUR! Bad start for the debutant. It is short and outside off, Azam goes back and punches it through the covers for a boundary!
We are all ready for the game and series to begin. Babar Azam and Sahibzada Farhan are the openers for Pakistan. Debutant Ajaz Patel to start off proceedings to Babar. Here we go!
Time for the national anthems then. New Zealand's first, followed by Pakistan's.
TEAM NEWS - Big one for New Zealand first up. Ajaz Patel is making his international debut. He is a left-arm orthodox spinner. Pakistan have included Shoaib Malik, which is good news for them while Fakhar Zaman continues to be absent due to a knee injury. Shaheen Afridi replaces Usman Khan from the playing XI that featured in the third T20I against Australia.
TOSS - Time for the spin of the coin. PAKISTAN HAVE WON THE TOSS and not surprisingly, WILL BAT FIRST AGAIN. Considering that the pitch slows down considerably in the second innings and also turns, they are seemingly liking the idea of putting a total on the board and then apply pressure on the opposition with their incisive bowling.
A couple of players missing out for both sides, even before the game starts. Martin Guptill has been ruled out of the entire white-ball tour while for Pakistan, Shoaib Malik has just become a father yesterday. That puts his participation tonight in doubt.
We have barely recovered from Australia's drubbing by Pakistan and the former's neighbours are already here. They will be playing 3 T20Is, 3 ODIs and 3 Tests, starting from tonight. The 'hosts' have won their last 10 T20I series on the trot but this one could be a difficult one. The Kiwis will certainly be more competitive than their Trans-Tasman neighbours and we should have good cricketing action. Hello and a warm welcome to the first T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand in Abu Dhabi.
So that is it from this game. Pakistan continue to impress in the shorter format and have now taken the lead in the series. New Zealand on the other hand, played really well and their performance here will surely give them confidence heading into the next game. It will be played on the 2nd of November at 2000 local (1400 GMT). Till then, take care and goodbye.
Pakistan skipper, Sarfraz Ahmed credits the way their bowlers bowled. Mentions 150 was the score they wanted on board. States he wanted Asif Ali to spend more time in the middle and hence he was promoted. He feels good about himself scoring runs tonight. Reckons they played well in the middle overs and appreciates the way Afridi and Hasan Ali bowled. Ends by saying, there was dew tonight and it may play a part in the games further.
New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson, says there are a lot of positives to take out of this game. Mentions he knows how clinical Pakistan are here. Credits the way they played. He reckons the wicket got slower as the game progressed. Adds further, they could not capitalize despite getting off to a good start. Ends by saying the fielding effort was exceptional and that is very important in a T20I games.
Man of the Match, Mohammad Hafeez, says he is happy with his contribution in the win. Admits he does have problems with his modified action but he keeps working on it. Mentions he tries to play according to the situation. Ends by saying is happy with how the team is playing.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan set a decent target, courtesy Hafeez's excellent knock and cameos from the lower-order batsman. A strong finish saw them reach close to 150 which in the end proved to be enough.
The Pakistan bowlers were once again at their best. Their record of never losing a game after setting a target of above 130 continues. Yes, they did take a pounding in the first six but came back strongly after that. Hasan Ali was the star for them as he picked up 3. Shadab once again impressed as he was economical and got the big wicket of Munro. He was supported well by all the spinners. Shaheen Afridi, the youngster, also showed nerves of steel and ensured the home side take a 1-0 lead.
Taylor and Anderson then built a partnership but not at the rate they would have wanted. They maybe planned to take it deep but when the time to go big arrived, the southpaw held out. Taylor then had a lot to do and with minimum support from the other end, he failed to take the away side over the line.
Once the spinners were brought on, the runs started to dry up. The older ball was tough to score on and the run rate needed kept on creeping up. Munro then decided to cut lose. He hit a few boundaries and got to his fifty but then perished. That wicket began the downfall of the Kiwis as they then lost two quick wickets of Colin and Williamson.
Pakistan have once again managed to defend a total here. How good are they at doing this? New Zealand got off to a terrific start in the Powerplay, courtesy Munro. He was hitting the new ball really well and the visitors were 50 for 1 after the first 6. However, they failed to capitalize on the start they got and then began to lose their way.
Shaheen Afridi to Ross Taylor. Shaheen has done it. Taylor does not hit it over the ropes. A high full toss but the timing is not there. Taylor hits it over mid off for a boundary. All smiles in the Pakistan camp as THEY WIN BY 2 RUNS!
Super Over? Nooooo. Ask again. Think again. Super Over? Probably yes!!! A biggie???? Go for it Rosco! Or will Shaheen pull it off?
Shaheen Afridi to Ross Taylor. No boundary but New Zealand can still take this game to a Super Over. Taylor flicks it through mid-wicket and takes two. 7 needed from the last ball.
Shaheen Afridi to Ross Taylor. A couple now! A yorker on middle, Taylor jams it out towards deep mid-wicket for a brace. A boundary needed on the next ball.
Shaheen Afridi to Tim Southee. Southee misses out! Another high full toss by Afridi. Southee swings, he gets an outside edge down to third man for a run. 11 from 3.
Shaheen Afridi to Tim Southee. FOUR! He has but a brilliant effort from him. Southee shuffles across and tries to flick. He gets it off the inner half through backward square leg. Hasan Ali from short fine leg hares after it. Faheem in the deep makes good ground to his right, dives and tries to push it back in. Hasan Ali does the mopping up job. The umpire though wants to have a check and replays show that, the ball has touched the marked line as the boundary cushion was pushed behind. A boundary is signalled. 12 needed from 4.
Has Ashraf touched the ropes? It will be an outstanding effort if he has not. They have gone upstairs to check.
Shaheen Afridi to Ross Taylor. Excellent delivery to begin the last! Full and on off, Taylor hits it down to long off for just a run.
Tim Southee strides out to the middle.
Hasan Ali to Tim Seifert. OUT! Clean bowled! Hasan is pumped up. Cannot really fault the batsman. He had to go for the big hit and he swung hard. But unluckily for him, the 147 kph ball was too quick for him. Timber. Hasan finishes with a 3-fer - 4-0-35-3.
Hasan Ali to Ross Taylor. Low full toss outside off, bunted towards cover for a run.
Hasan Ali to Ross Taylor. Two more. Works it wide of long on and charges back for the second. Could have had Seifert with a better throw.
Hasan Ali to Ross Taylor. Short and outside off, Rosco pulls it through mid-wicket where Hafeez does a wonderful job near the boundary. Two runs taken.
Hasan Ali to Ross Taylor. TOP EDGE, FOUR! That will help New Zealand! A short ball, around middle, Taylor looks to pull but is hurried by the pace. Gets a top edge which flies over the leaping keeper to the fine leg fence.
Tim Seifert walks in at number 7, replacing Anderson.
Hasan Ali to Corey Anderson. OUT! Hasan gets Corey! This wicket will do a world of good for Pakistan. A fuller length ball, around middle, Anderson goes deep in his crease and tries to heave it over long on, aiming to get underneath the ball. However, he is not quite able to generate enough power. Skies it miles in the air only to see it taken by Shoaib Malik at the ropes after it completes its parabolic path. Now... that equation changes big time. 26 needed from 11.
Shaheen Afridi to Corey Anderson. A high full toss, Anderson misses out as he only hits down to long off for a run. However, a good over for New Zealand as 11 came from it.
Shaheen Afridi to Ross Taylor. A huge appeal but not given! A yorker on off, Taylor tries to flick but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball goes down to third man for a run.
Shaheen Afridi to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Much-needed boundary! This has been crunched! Short and it sits up to be hit. Taylor pulls it with a lot of force through square leg. It is in the gap and a boundary results. 28 more needed.
Shaheen Afridi to Ross Taylor. SAFE! And that is why Corey was relaxed. Also, Shaheen had dislodged the stumps with his hands. A low full toss outside off, Taylor hits it towards sweeper cover. They take the first one and go for the second. Asif Ali there collects the ball and throws it to the bowler. Afridi whips the bails off and appeals. The umpire goes upstairs. Replays show that CA is in.
A run out appeal at the bowler's end is taken upstairs. Anderson once again is the man in question but he seems relaxed.
Shaheen Afridi to Corey Anderson. NOT OUT! Umpire's call and Pakistan do not lose a review. A slower ball on middle, Anderson goes for the swing but misses as the ball does not bounce as much as he expected it to. It hits him high on the thigh pad. Rolls towards short third man. The batters run a leg bye as the bowler appeals. The umpire shakes his head and Sarfraz wants it to be reviewed. Replays roll in and they show the ball to be clipping the bails.
Review time! A huge appeal for an LBW has not been given. Sarfraz signals the 'T' straightaway. Anderson is the man in question. Height can be an issue here.
Shaheen Afridi to Ross Taylor. On the bounce to the fielder! Full and on the pads, Taylor hits it uppishly but on the bounce to the man at deep square leg for a run.
Shaheen Afridi to Ross Taylor. Starts off with a wide down the leg side, Taylor lets it be. Wide called.
Shaheen Afridi is back on.
Hasan Ali to Ross Taylor. A single to end! 9 from the over but a good one for Pakistan according to the situation. It is a length ball, Taylor flat-bats it towards mid off and sets off for a run. A wild throw by the fielder means, they complete it easily.
Hasan Ali to Corey Anderson. Another low full toss, not a lot you can do with that. Anderson hits it down to long on for a run.
Hasan Ali to Ross Taylor. Good bowling! Full and outside off, Taylor hits it to mid off for a run.
Hasan Ali to Ross Taylor. Another couple! 6 from the first three. Short and outside off, Taylor cuts it through backward point. Farhan at third man, runs to his right, collects the ball, then realizes he is too close to the ropes to throw it back in. The onfield umpire quickly got it checked upstairs.
Hasan Ali to Ross Taylor. Well fielded! Full and outside off, Taylor jams it out towards point. Shadab there dives to his right, gets a hand to it. It goes to the fielder in the deep, two taken.
Hasan Ali to Ross Taylor. Length ball around off, Taylor swats it down towards long off. The fielder from long on runs to his left and keeps it down to two.
Shadab Khan to Corey Anderson. Another sweep but still no boundary. The fielder at deep square leg runs to his left and makes a diving stop. Two taken. 46 in 24 needed.
Shadab Khan to Ross Taylor. Flatter outside off, Taylor cuts it through point for a run.
Shadab Khan to Corey Anderson. The googly and it is shorter in length, Anderson flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. 100 up, 49 more needed.
Shadab Khan to Corey Anderson. Plays the sweep again but it goes off the inner half through square leg for a couple.
Shadab Khan to Corey Anderson. The googly and it is bowled full and wide outside off. Anderson goes for the sweep but misses.
Shadab Khan to Ross Taylor. A single to start as Taylor works it down to long on. Time to go big now.
Shadab Khan is back on.
Hasan Ali to Ross Taylor. Slower ball around off, Taylor guides it towards the keeper for a quick run. Required run rate now is above 10.
Hasan Ali to Corey Anderson. Now a single! Pakistan won't mind this at all. On middle, worked towards mid-wicket for a run.
Hasan Ali to Corey Anderson. Slower ball on off, Anderson is completely foxed. He first tries to go hard but then bails out of the shot. It hits his bat and goes towards mid-wicket. Another dot, pressure building.
Hasan Ali to Corey Anderson. A dot! On middle, Anderson keeps it out.
Hasan Ali to Ross Taylor. On a length and around off, the batsman pushes it down to long on for a run.
Hasan Ali to Ross Taylor. Works it with the angle through square leg and some good running, helps them take two.
Hasan Ali is back on.
Shaheen Afridi to Ross Taylor. Good length again around the off pole. The batsman taps it towards cover-point and sets off for a run. Shadab once again has a shy but misses. Would not have mattered if he would have hit. 58 now needed in the last 6.
Shaheen Afridi to Corey Anderson. Back of a length around off, Anderson guides it through point for a run.
Corey Anderson is the new man in.
Shaheen Afridi to Ross Taylor. OUT! Direct hit and Colin is now out of here. New Zealand have completely lost their way. Taylor taps it towards point and he wants a run. De Grandhomme responds but Shadab picks the ball up, hurrying across from backward point, takes aim and hits the bull's eye, right at the base of the stumps. Colin is well short and Pakistan are ecstatic at the moment.
Shaheen Afridi to Ross Taylor. Shortish around middle, Taylor hops and tries to flick but misses to get hit on the body.
Shaheen Afridi to Colin de Grandhomme. On the pads, it is worked through the leg side for a run.
Shaheen Afridi to Colin de Grandhomme. Starts off with a slower ball, Colin chips it over the mid-wicket fielder. They run the first one hard, seeing the fielder getting to the ball slowly, they go for the second and complete it.
Meanwhile, Shaheen Afridi is finally introduced into the attack.
Danny Morrison is taking an interview of Azhar Mahmood. The latter is proud of the way Pakistan's youngsters are executing the plans discussed in the dressing room. Adds that after every game, the players come and discuss with him about what went right and wrong in the match. Feels proud on being given so much respect and is even prouder that the kids are listening to him. Stresses that tonight, the spinners bowled well after the Powerplay, getting the wickets of Williamson and Munro and it is now upto the seamers to drive home the advantage. Needless to say, he is confident that Pakistan can pull off a win here.
Imad Wasim to Colin de Grandhomme. Fires it on the pads as Colin dances down. He misses the flick and the ball goes towards square leg. The batsmen take a leg bye.
Imad Wasim to Ross Taylor. Uses his feet and tries to flick but gets an inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls onto the off side for a run.
Ross Taylor is in next.
Imad Wasim to Kane Williamson. OUT! Caught and bowled! Another one bites the dust and it is Williamson, the guy who would have probably anchored the run chase. A soft dismissal this. Imad slows it up through the air and lands it around middle, it turns away a touch. Kane tries to work it on the leg side but the ball just does not arrive. He fails to close the face of the bat in time and ends up chipping it towards Wasim who takes it with ease. New Zealand in a spot of bother here.
Imad Wasim to Kane Williamson. That one stays a touch low! Kane tries to force it through the off side but it hits the bottom and goes to covers.
Imad Wasim to Colin de Grandhomme. Flatter and on middle, Colin hits it down to long on for another single.
Imad Wasim to Kane Williamson. Eased down to long off fora run.
Imad Wasim is back on.
Shadab Khan to Colin de Grandhomme. Goes for the big thwack but gets it off the inner half through square leg for a brace. So 8 does come from the over but the all-important wicket of Munro also.
Shadab Khan to Colin de Grandhomme. The googly on off, kept out.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. Works it through the leg side, Williamson takes one and has to be happy with a single.
Colin de Grandhomme is the new man in.
Shadab Khan to Colin Munro. OUT! MUNRO HOLES OUT! He has thrown it away one can say. Having got a boundary on the last ball, this was not needed. Pakistan won't care though as they have got the wicket they would have wanted at this time. Shadab has the courage to toss it up around middle and leg, it turns slightly into the batsman. Munro tries to clear long on but does not get the desired distance. It goes to Asif Ali who does not make any mistake. The set batsman is out of here and it is game on in Abu Dhabi. 70 needed in 51 balls.
Shadab Khan to Colin Munro. FOUR! In the gap! Munro once again plays the reverse sweep to great effect. It is in the gap between backward point and short third man for a boundary.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. A misfield and a run! Can't give away such easy runs at the moment. It is driven towards Azam at covers. He misfields and a run is taken.
Mohammad Hafeez to Colin Munro. FOUR! Spoils what was a brilliant over till then. Innovation from Munro and that should release some pressure. Brings over the reverse sweep and hits it over point for a boundary.
Mohammad Hafeez to Colin Munro. Munro makes room and Hafeez continues to bowl the stump-to-stump line. Munro once again slaps it to covers.
Mohammad Hafeez to Colin Munro. A couple now and it brings up Munro's 8th T20I fifty. He made full use of the Powerplay and now is happy to work it around. A very sensible knock by him till now but he needs to hang around. Makes room and cuts it through point, takes two.
Mohammad Hafeez to Colin Munro. Dot ball! Fires it on off, Munro finds covers.
Mohammad Hafeez to Kane Williamson. Another single! Slightly shorter and around middle, Kane pulls it towards deep mid-wickte for a run.
Mohammad Hafeez to Colin Munro. Flatter and on off, Munro slaps it down to long off for a run.
Shadab Khan to Colin Munro. A touch short and on off, Munro goes back and taps it down towards cover-point for a brisk run.
Shadab Khan to Colin Munro. Flighted and full on middle, Munro drives it off his front foot but finds the cover fielder.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. A touch short and on off, Kane drags his pull shot down towards fine leg for a run.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. Uppish but through the gap! Short and on off, spinning away, Kane rocks back and cuts it through cover-point. A couple taken.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. Extra flight on this one. Full and on off, Kane inside edges his drive back towards the bowler.
Shadab Khan to Colin Munro. Very full and on middle, Munro drives it down to long off for a single.
Mohammad Hafeez to Kane Williamson. Allows the ball to spin back in and then pushes it back with a straight bat. Hafeez reacts quickly to his right and dives to stop the ball. Another tidy over by Hafeez, only 4 from it.
Mohammad Hafeez to Kane Williamson. Turning back into the batsman from around off, Kane helps it on the leg side but the mid-wicket fielder quickly gets to the ball.
Mohammad Hafeez to Kane Williamson. Shorter and on off, Williamson moves back to make room and punches it through extra cover for a brace.
Mohammad Hafeez to Kane Williamson. Loopy and full on off, Williamson prefers staying back and flicking it to mid-wicket. Not in the gap this time.
Mohammad Hafeez to Colin Munro. Flatter and shorter in line of the stumps, Munro makes room and mistimes his punch shot in the gap at covers. A single taken.
Mohammad Hafeez to Kane Williamson. Slower off spinner on off, Kane works it through mid-wicket for a run.
Shadab Khan to Colin Munro. EDGED, FOUR! Munro is riding his luck. Short and outside off, Munro looks to cut but gets a thick outside edge as it is a googly. It flies past short third man and bats him.
Shadab Khan to Colin Munro. Similar ball, pushed towards cover once more.
Shadab Khan to Colin Munro. Full and straight, blocked towards cover.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. Short and outside off, punched through the covers for a run.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. Outside off, cut straight to backward point.
Shadab Khan to Colin Munro. Tossed up on middle, helped through mid-wicket for a single. Munro moves to 40 from 28 balls.
Shadab Khan is into the attack now.
Mohammad Hafeez to Colin Munro. Edged! Shorter delivery on off, Munro rocks back to cut it through the line but gets a fat outside edge past the keeper. It rolls to short third man and they cross. Tidy first over by Professor!
Mohammad Hafeez to Colin Munro. Would have been a run out! Flatter and on middle, Colin rocks back and punches it in the direction of the bowler. Hafeez dives full length to his left to stop the ball. The non-striker was outside his crease but Hafeez maybe didn't realize and Kane plants his bat inside the line.
Mohammad Hafeez to Colin Munro. Terrific stop! Tossed up ball around leg, Munro plays a cute paddle sweep and it races through. Shaheen at short fine leg dives full length to his right to save a certain boundary.
Mohammad Hafeez to Colin Munro. Flighted and around leg, Munro makes room and drives it to covers, dot ball.
Mohammad Hafeez to Colin Munro. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Mohammad Hafeez to Colin Munro. Quicker and on middle, Munro plays it off his pads to the leg side.
Kane Williamson is in next. Mohammad Hafeez into the attack as well.
Hasan Ali to Glenn Phillips. OUT! Drags it on! Hasan Ali provides the first breakthrough and does his trademark celebration. A slower one, on the shorter side outside off and shapes away a shade, Phillips stays back to force the issue on the off side but gets a thick inside edge onto the stumps. End of a 50-run partnership and the Powerplay as well. 99 needed off 84 balls.
Hasan Ali to Glenn Phillips. A low full toss on off, Phillips reaches out for it and drills it towards point. The fielder there makes a good stop.
Hasan Ali to Colin Munro. Length ball on off, punched with great power to mid off for a run.
Hasan Ali to Colin Munro. FOUR! Hasan overdoes his line and length. Bowls it full and on the pads, Munro picks it up and whips it past short fine leg. Shaheen Afridi dives there but it's hit ferociously and goes past him in the blink of an eye. No stopping this over.
Hasan Ali to Colin Munro. SIX! Looked like a mishit but that has gone for a biggie! A good length delivery in line of the stumps, Munro swings his big bat across the line, doesn't find the middle of his willow and towers it in the air. It keeps on going over long on flies over the fence. Munro in the mood now.
Hasan Ali to Glenn Phillips. Back of a length delivery on off, Phillips punches it in the direction of the cover fielder and rushes across to the other end for a run.
Hasan Ali comes into the attack.
Imad Wasim to Colin Munro. FOUR! Terrific batting! Full and outside leg, Munro brings out his reverse sweep now and beats backward point! 16 from the over, 26 from the last 2!
Imad Wasim to Colin Munro. Short and outside off, punched straight to cover.
Imad Wasim to Colin Munro. SIX! Going, going, gone! Wasim is not being treated too politely by the Kiwis here. Full and around middle, Munro gets down on a knee and slogs it wayyy over long on!
Imad Wasim to Colin Munro. Again pitched outside leg, Colin looks to play the slog sweep again but misses and is hit on the pads.
Imad Wasim to Colin Munro. Full and down the leg side, Munro looks to sweep but misses. The ball hits him in front of the sticks but the pitching was the issue.
Imad Wasim to Colin Munro. SIX! HUMONGOUS! Full and outside off, Munro lofts it well over mid off and clears long off too!
Faheem Ashraf to Glenn Phillips. Punched off the back foot by the batsman.
Faheem Ashraf to Glenn Phillips. FOUR! Terrific shot! Down the leg side, Phillips tickles it fine and finds the boundary!
Faheem Ashraf to Colin Munro. Comes down the track but the bowler follows him. Munro pulls it with his eyes closed through mid-wicket, for a single.
Faheem Ashraf to Colin Munro. FOUR! HAMMERED! A short ball, outside off, Munro pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary!
Faheem Ashraf to Glenn Phillips. A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.
Faheem Ashraf to Glenn Phillips. Around off, defended from the crease.
Imad Wasim to Colin Munro. Full and outside off, Munro looks to play the slog sweep but gets a bottom edge to the off side.
Imad Wasim to Colin Munro. Short again, outside off once more, punched straight to cover.
Imad Wasim to Colin Munro. Short and outside off, punched down to long on for a couple.
Imad Wasim to Glenn Phillips. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. One run added to the total.
Imad Wasim to Glenn Phillips. The arm ball, down the leg side, Phillips misses his flick and is hit on the pad.
Imad Wasim to Colin Munro. Full on middle, pushed through mid on for a single.
Faheem Ashraf to Glenn Phillips. Shortish and on middle, angling in, Phillips tries swinging it over the leg side but misses to get hit on the thigh pad. 5 from the over!
Faheem Ashraf to Glenn Phillips. FOUR! Cracking shot! Ashraf drops it on a length and offers width outside off. Phillips latches onto it and hammers it over covers for a boundary.
Faheem Ashraf to Colin Munro. Shortish and into the body of the batsman, Munro stays back and hits it firmly through square leg for a run.
Faheem Ashraf to Colin Munro. Play and a miss! Short in length delivery outside off, Munro throws his bat at it but fails to connect.
Faheem Ashraf to Colin Munro. Angling away from the batsman, Munro plays a good cover drive but finds the fielder.
Faheem Ashraf to Colin Munro. Full length ball outside off, Munro tries to force it through the line but gets a bottom edge towards the point region.
Faheem Ashraf to bowl from the other end.
Imad Wasim to Colin Munro. Aerial but safe! Wasim fires in another delivery, full and on middle, Munro flicks it casually and in the air. No fielder inside the ring at mid on and it's an easy run.
Imad Wasim to Glenn Phillips. Keeps it flat and on off, Phillips punches it down to long on for a run.
Imad Wasim to Glenn Phillips. Appeal for an lbw, not given! An arm ball landing around off and skidding off the surface. Phillips gets forward to flick but misses and is hit on the back leg. They appeal but nothing from the umpire. Imad suggests to his skipper that it was heading over the stumps.
Imad Wasim to Glenn Phillips. Quicker one, fired in on middle, Phillips defends it from the crease.
Imad Wasim to Glenn Phillips. Flat again, a bit short on middle, Phillips hits it towards mid-wicket where Faheem Ashraf dives across to his left to make a brilliant stop.
Imad Wasim to Colin Munro. Flatter and shorter around off, Munro plays it late from the crease towards short third man and scampers across to the other end. A good diving stop there by the fielder.
Welcome back. The players are ready to take the field. Pakistan are in a huddle as the two Kiwi openers go past them. It's the pair of Colin Munro and Glenn Phillips. Imad Wasim to begin proceedings. Here we go...