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PAK beat NZ by 6 wickets | New Zealand vs Pakistan, Highlights And Cricket Score 2nd T20I Match - Commentary
Pakistan and New Zealand in UAE, 3 T20I Series, 2018
Date: Nov 02, 2018 Start Time: 21:30 IST | 16:00 GMT | 20:00 LocalVenue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai
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New Zealand vs Pakistan Highlights And Cricket Score 2nd Match - T20I Commentary
The target is once again a tricky one. Pakistan managed to defend something similar in the first T20I. Can they chase it down or will new Zealand level the series? Join us in a few minutes to find out.
The duo added a 42-run stand and that too at good pace. The skipper departed but Anderson ensured they crossed the 150-run mark. A mixed bowling effort by Pakistan. Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf had a day to forget at the office but the spinners once again managed to dry the runs out. However, it was Shaheen Afridi who was the pick as he finished with a three-fer and only gave away 20 in his 4.
New Zealand have finished with a total which one would say is a very competitive one. It was almost a similar story to the last T20I, this time though they finished well at the end. Munro got them off to the ideal start as he went bonkers in the Powerplay. New Zealand were 50 for 1 after the first six but then the downfall started. They lost Munro and de Grandhomme in quick succession. Taylor too was run out for not a lot but then Williamson and Anderson came to the rescue.
Shaheen Afridi to Corey Anderson. Another length ball around middle, Anderson pulls it through mid-wicket for another couple. So a good last over for New Zealand and the finish with 153!
Shaheen Afridi to Corey Anderson. He will also face the last ball as this is flicked towards deep square leg for a couple. 150 up.
Adam Milne is the new man in.
Shaheen Afridi to Tim Southee. OUT! RUN OUT! Southee siwngs and misses. Anderson wants strike so he goes for the run. Sarfraz throws it towards the bowler. Southee does try to come in between but the ball misses him. Afridi collects the ball and hits bull's eye at his end. Anderson will be on strike though.
Shaheen Afridi to Corey Anderson. This is hit down to long on for a run. Anderson is off strike now.
Tim Southee walks out.
Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert. OUT! Seifert holes out! The slower ball on middle, Tim is very early into the shot. He only hits it high up in the air towards long on. Shadab Khan settles under it and takes it with ease.
Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert. SIX! With such shots, the can cross 160. Plays the paddle and is helped with a full toss. Seifert lofts it over the keeper for a biggie. Ideal start to the last over.
Hasan Ali to Corey Anderson. NOT OUT! He is safe and due to the dive, he is quite comfortably in. Full and around middle, Anderson hits it down to long on. They run the first one hard and go for the second. The fielder there throws it towards the bowler's end. He collects the ball and dislodges the stumps. An appeal and the umpire takes it upstairs. Replays show the batsman is safe. So not 20 from the over but 16 from it. A very good one and now they can go over 150.
Another run out appeal. Seifert this time though feels he is safe.
Hasan Ali to Corey Anderson. Another couple! Full and on the pads, CA flicks it fine towards backward square leg for a couple.
Hasan Ali to Corey Anderson. SIX! FLAT! The slower one and Corey was waiting for it. He thwacks it over the mid-wicket fence. The fielder did look interested for a while but he had no chance. 12 from the first 4. Can they make it a 20 run over?
Hasan Ali to Tim Seifert. The batter there tried to paddle but was way too early into the shot. It goes off the toe end towards deep mid-wicket. A run.
Hasan Ali to Tim Seifert. FOUR! Hasan Ali has not had a good day today. Seifert walks down the track and hits it through covers. He takes it on the full and hence times it wonderfully away from the sweeper. They need a big over here.
Hasan Ali to Corey Anderson. A single to begin the penultimate over. Anderson strokes it down to long on.
Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert. Yes, he does and so easily it could have been another wicket. A yorker again on middle, the batter once again jams it out to covers. Corey sets off again but is sent back. Shadab this time tries the underarm throw but does not hit the bull's eye. Anderson did dive to get in. It may have saved him. A brilliant over by Afirid comes to an end. The 18th over just goes for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert. Another dot, another yorker, it is jammed out. Lovely stuff, only a single and a wicket form this over so far. Can he end it well?
Shaheen Afridi to Tim Seifert. Direct hit needed but Shadab misses. A low full toss on off, Seifert drives it to covers. Corey goes for a run but is sent back. Khan has a shy but misses.
Shaheen Afridi to Corey Anderson. Only a run from the first three ball as this is eased down to long on.
Shaheen Afridi to Corey Anderson. Lovely bowling! Slower ball outside off, Anderson aims to hit it on the leg side but misses.
Tim Seifert is the new man in.
Shaheen Afridi to Kane Williamson. OUT! In the air... caught! Williamson departs and a timely wicket for Pakistan as this partnership was starting to look very dangerous. The slower ball on middle, Kane walks across his stumps and tries to flick. He gets elevation but not the distance. Zaman in the deep square leg region runs to his left and takes a good catch. A good innings by Williamson comes to an end. He held fort at one end when New Zealand kept losing wickets at the other. 150 now though looks a little tough.
Shaheen Afridi is back on.
Hasan Ali to Corey Anderson. FOUR! Yes, he can. 6,4,4 to end the over. 16 from this one. 35 from the last three. This one was a fortunate boundary. A yorker on the pads, Anderson tries to flick but the ball takes the inside edge and goes fine down the leg side for a boundary.
Hasan Ali to Corey Anderson. FOUR! 10 from the last two deliveries and New Zealand are on a roll here. Short and it is the slower one. Anderson pulls it in the gap at the mid-wicket region. Boundary. Can he end the over with a bang now?
Hasan Ali to Corey Anderson. SIX! Brute, powerful, call that what you want. A low full toss outside off, not a very bad delivery. Anderson gets under it and tonks it over long on for a biggie.
Hasan Ali to Corey Anderson. A dot to follow up two singles. Slower ball outside off, Anderson is way too early into the shot and is beaten.
Hasan Ali to Kane Williamson. Slower ball outside off, Williamson guides it towards point. He is right at the edge of the circle and a run is taken.
Hasan Ali to Corey Anderson. Full and straight, Anderson hits it down to long on for a run.
Hasan Ali is back on.
Shadab Khan to Corey Anderson. Single to end Shadab's spell. 4-0-24-0 is what it reads. Another decent night for him. Flatter and outside off, Corey slaps it down to long off for a run.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. Toe-end! The ball never arrived there. Short and slow, Williamson is way too early into the pull. It goes off the lower portion of the bat towards long on for a run.
Shadab Khan to Corey Anderson. Hits this away from the bowler and down towards mid on for a single.
Shadab Khan to Corey Anderson. Has the courage to toss it up again. Anderson smashes it back to the bowler who fields it well.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. Flatter and quicker on middle, Williamson is hurried into the shot and mistimes it towards mid-wicket. Only a run.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Dealing in boundaries is New Zealand now. Shadad gives it air around off, Williamson lofts it over covers and the ball races away to the fence.
Shadab Khan is back on.
Faheem Ashraf to Corey Anderson. FOUR! Off the inner half but New Zealand won't care. 11 from the over. Full and on middle, Corey swings but the ball goes off the inner half between the gap he got a boundary few balls ago. This time though, the player at deep mid-wicket is late to go after it and then he had no chance.
Faheem Ashraf to Corey Anderson. Excellent comeback! A yorker outside off, Anderson tries to whip it but gets a bottom edge to the keeper.
Faheem Ashraf to Corey Anderson. FOUR! Slower ball and it has been picked early. Anderson pulls it in between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket. A boundary results. Need to keep going if they are to reach the 150-run mark. Also this is only the second boundary in the last 10 overs.
Faheem Ashraf to Corey Anderson. Not a lot Corey could have done with this delivery. A yorker on middle, it is jammed out.
Faheem Ashraf to Kane Williamson. A yorker outside off, Kane guides it down to third man for a run. Not a lot he could have done with that ball.
Faheem Ashraf to Kane Williamson. Another mix-up! What is up with the Kiwi batters today? Williamson plays a good paddle scoop over the short fine leg fielder. Afridi there hares after the ball, then dives and pushes it back in. The batsmen run two and Kane wants the third. He sets off but in time is sent back. The fielder fires it to the keeper but KW makes it in.
Faheem Ashraf is back on.
Shaheen Afridi to Kane Williamson. Williamson has probably decided to step on the gas, however, he is not timing it. Goes for the heave but mistimes it towards deep mid-wicket. Another single taken.
Shaheen Afridi to Corey Anderson. Full and on the pads, Anderson flicks it through square leg for a single.
Shaheen Afridi to Kane Williamson. Kane makes room and then cuts it through point for a run.
Shaheen Afridi to Corey Anderson. Goes fuller this time on middle, Anderson eases it down to long on for another single.
Shaheen Afridi to Corey Anderson. Good length on middle, the batsman blocks it out.
Shaheen Afridi to Kane Williamson. Slower and shorter on middle, Williamson pulls it through mid-wicket for a run.
Shaheen Afridi is back on.
Shadab Khan to Corey Anderson. The googly on middle, kept out. 9 runs but a wicket from it, that too a big one.
Shadab Khan to Corey Anderson. WIDE! Down the leg side and it has been wided.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. Slightly shorter on middle, it is pulled through square leg for a run.
Corey Anderson is the new man in.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. OUT! Taylor is well short. Not sure why that was taken upstairs as Taylor himself was walking. This is last thing New Zealand wanted. They would have hoped for this pair to bat deep but it is not to be. A needless run. Williamson flicks it through mid-wicket. They run the first one hard and then go for a second. Asif Ali there is quick to the ball and he fires it to the bowler. It is right besides the stumps and Shadab collects it and whips the bails off. The players appeal, the umpire goes up to check and replays show, Taylor is well short. Ross fails to make an impact this time and Pakistan continue to dominate.
Run out! Taylor has started to walk back but the umpire, just to be sure has taken is upstairs.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Much, much-needed! A top shot also. Shadab gives it air around off, Williamson gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it over covers for a boundary. The skipper holds the key here, needs to play till the end.
Shadab Khan to Ross Taylor. Flatter outside off, Taylor cuts it through point for another run. New Zealand have to be content with singles at the moment.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. On the shorter side outside off, Williamson slaps it through covers for a single.
Imad Wasim to Ross Taylor. Two dots to end as Taylor plays this ball really late towards point. The runs once again have dried up after the Powerplay.
Imad Wasim to Ross Taylor. Uses his feet again and pushes it towards covers.
Imad Wasim to Kane Williamson. Flatter again on off, Williamson punches it through covers and takes a run.
Imad Wasim to Ross Taylor. Confusion again! Taylor once again dances down the track, he misses the flick this time. The ball hits his pads and rolls towards the off side. Taylor wants a run, Williamson is hesitant but then goes for it. They complete it with ease in the end. Leg bye signaled.
Imad Wasim to Kane Williamson. Fires this one on off, Williamson goes back and guides it through point for a single.
Imad Wasim to Ross Taylor. Taylor uses his feet and works it through mid-wicket for a run.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. Good running! This is tossed up on middle, Williamson works it through mid-wicket. They run the first one hard which enables them to take another. 4 from Shadab's over, another tight one.
Shadab Khan to Ross Taylor. Again tosses this one up, the ball turns slightly. Taylor gets an outside edge through covers for a run.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. Brings the sweep shot out and connects well but only for a run towards deep square leg.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. Three dots! Flatter around off, Williamson guides it towards point.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. Kane lunges and strokes it to covers. Two dots to begin with.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. Tosses it up around middle, Williamson keeps it out off the front foot.
Imad Wasim to Ross Taylor. Around off, solidly defended. 3 runs and a wicket from the over. 18/2 since the Powerplay.
Imad Wasim to Kane Williamson. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Ross Taylor walks in at number 5, replacing de Grandhomme.
Imad Wasim to Colin de Grandhomme. OUT! Caught! Well, Colin tries for a grand hit but is back in the hut instead. Tossed up very slowly outside off, de Grandhomme jumps out of his crease and looks to go big but is not quite to the pitch of the ball. Mistimes it high in the air and Shoaib Malik takes it quite easily at long on.
Imad Wasim to Kane Williamson. Outside off, punched through the covers for a run.
Imad Wasim to Colin de Grandhomme. Drives this straight back but Wasim fumbles and deflects the ball to long off. Hits himself with his hand on his head. An easy single.
Imad Wasim to Colin de Grandhomme. Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. Slightly shorter than full, Kane punches it towards long off but Shadab dives to his left and makes a clean stop.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. Another long hop, pulled through mid-wicket for a couple.
Shadab Khan to Kane Williamson. Dropped very short, outside off, spinning away, Williamson waits and waits and waits for it but the ball never arrives. Eventually he plays the cut and gets a bottom edge back to the bowler.
Shadab Khan to Colin de Grandhomme. Driven through mid on by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Shadab Khan to Colin de Grandhomme. Short and outside off, turning away, de Grandhomme looks to cut but misses.
Shadab Khan to Colin de Grandhomme. Full and around off, pushed back to the bowler.
Shadab Khan to bowl now.
Imad Wasim to Kane Williamson. Full on middle, pushed towards mid-wicket.
Imad Wasim to Colin de Grandhomme. Full and outside off, pushed towards long off for one.
Imad Wasim to Kane Williamson. Tossed up outside off, eased through the covers for a run.
Imad Wasim to Colin de Grandhomme. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
Imad Wasim to Kane Williamson. Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a single.
Imad Wasim to Kane Williamson. Short and outside off, Williamson punches it through the covers where the fielder dives over the ball and allows it through. Two runs taken and skipper Sarfraz is not happy.
Colin de Grandhomme walks in at number 4, replacing Munro. Imad Wasim is back on, after going for 13 in his opener.
Mohammad Hafeez to Colin Munro. OUT! STUMPED! Unfortunate way to go for Munro. He jumps down the track, looks to swing hard but the ball takes the inside edge and hits him on the boot. Now, normally, the ball should be deflecting to the leg side but instead it rolls back. Easy stumping for Sarfraz. Munro is yards out. Misses out on a half century but Pakistan have a big opening.
Mohammad Hafeez to Kane Williamson. On middle and leg, flicked away for a run.
Mohammad Hafeez to Kane Williamson. Comes down the track and flicks it over mid-wicket for a couple.
Mohammad Hafeez to Colin Munro. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Mohammad Hafeez to Kane Williamson. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Mohammad Hafeez to Colin Munro. LBW APPEAL, turned down, but hang on, HAVE PAKISTAN MISSED A RUN OUT? The arm ball, around leg, sliding down, Munro backs away, looking to punch but misses and is hit on the pads. The bowler and keeper appeal and meanwhile, Williamson calls Munro through for a single. Sarfraz hares to his left as the ball is near point, tries to pick up and throw but does not collect it cleanly. Munro was not even halfway through.
Mohammad Hafeez is back on.
Shaheen Afridi to Kane Williamson. Full on middle, pushed back to the bowler. 3 runs and a wicket from the over. 50/1 in the Powerplay.
Kane Williamson, the captain, walks in at number 3, replacing Phillips.
Shaheen Afridi to Glenn Phillips. OUT! Caught behind! The opening stand is broken, once again on 50. The 18-year old has done it for his side. A length ball, outside leg, Phillips looks to play this to the leg side but the ball seams away, takes something, either inside edge or the pad, on first look, to the keeper behind. Afridi straightaway appeals while Phillips does not walk. Umpire Shozab Raza initially stands still, then raises his finger, after a nod of his head. No review from Phillips, so must have been an inside edge. Yes. Replays detect only wood.
Shaheen Afridi to Glenn Phillips. On middle and leg, swinging in, flicked straight to short mid-wicket.
Shaheen Afridi to Colin Munro. A short ball, punched through mid off for a very quick single. Direct hit at the bowler's end might have been interesting. 50 IS UP, IN JUST 33 BALLS.
Shaheen Afridi to Colin Munro. Outside off, crunched straight to cover.
Shaheen Afridi to Colin Munro. That tailed back in a long way, Munro managed to flick it through mid-wicket for a couple.
Shaheen Afridi introduced.
Hasan Ali to Colin Munro. Full on middle, pushed towards mid on for one. 10 from that over.
Hasan Ali to Colin Munro. FOUR! HAMMERED! A short ball outside off, Munro punches it through the covers, a tad uppishly, but it is in the gap!
Hasan Ali to Glenn Phillips. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.
Hasan Ali to Colin Munro. Full and outside off, blasted through the covers for a single.
Hasan Ali to Glenn Phillips. Gets away with this one as well. Just a run towards mid on.
ANOTHER FREE HIT. What can we expect now?
Hasan Ali to Colin Munro. THAT IS A NO BALL TOO! The Free Hit does not count for much, even though it a full toss, but the next delivery might. Driven through the covers for a single.
FREE HIT TIME.
Hasan Ali to Colin Munro. NO BALL! Hasan has overstepped and bowled a length ball on middle, pushed towards mid off.
Hasan Ali to Colin Munro. Full and straight, pushed towards mid off.
Fourth bowler in 5 overs. Hasan Ali onto bowl now.
Faheem Ashraf to Glenn Phillips. Pushes this towards mid on.
Faheem Ashraf to Glenn Phillips. Full and outside off, driven straight to mid off this time.
Faheem Ashraf to Glenn Phillips. On middle, pushed towards mid on.
Faheem Ashraf to Colin Munro. PUT DOWN! The Professor is at fault now. A length ball, on middle and leg, Munro heaves this high in the air. Does not get enough distance and Hafeez is in with a chance at long on. He comes running in, dives and takes the catch but while landing on the dive, his elbow hits the ground very hard and the ball pops out. A single taken. Big miss.
Faheem Ashraf to Colin Munro. SIX! Wow. Really, wow. A short ball outside off, extra bounce but what does Munro do? He leaps and plays a tennis-like forehand smash over long off!
Faheem Ashraf to Colin Munro. A slower ball, short in lenth, outside off, a pull attempted is missed.
Mohammad Hafeez to Colin Munro. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.
Mohammad Hafeez to Colin Munro. FOUR! Easy cricket. Stand and deliver. A length ball outside off, Munro backs away and clobbers it over mid off for a boundary!
Mohammad Hafeez to Glenn Phillips. Same shot, this time the fielder stops the ball while the batsmen have no communication issues. Easy single taken.
Mohammad Hafeez to Glenn Phillips. RUN OUT CHANCE, MISSED! Shadab Khan, of all the people. A short ball, Phillips punches it towards mid on and sets off for a single. But Munro at the other end is ball-watching and Glenn has to return, from the halfway mark. Shadab is in with a chance to run the batsman out but he misfields and does not collect the ball at all. Phillips makes it back easily.
Mohammad Hafeez to Colin Munro. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Mohammad Hafeez to Colin Munro. BEATEN! How did that miss the stumps? The flatter delivery to start, Munro backs away to cut but is done in by the pace. He misses and luckily for him, the ball just evades the leg pole!
The Professor is on. Mohammad Hafeez to bowl.
Faheem Ashraf to Glenn Phillips. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.
Faheem Ashraf to Colin Munro. The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. They pick up a single.
Faheem Ashraf to Colin Munro. A slower short ball, outside off, Colin swings early and misses.
Faheem Ashraf to Colin Munro. FOUR! FETCH THAT! Back-to-back boundaries for Munro! Short and outside off, Munro goes back and punches it through the covers!
Faheem Ashraf to Colin Munro. FOUR! Seemed like a mishit but in the Middle East, it is not actually necessary to hit out of the middle. A length ball, on middle, Munro looks to slog but the ball hits the higher part of the bat. Clears mid on comfortably.
Faheem Ashraf to Colin Munro. A touch short around off, moving away, Munro looks to pull but mistimes it towards short mid-wicket.
Faheem Ashraf to bowl from the other end.
Imad Wasim to Colin Munro. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single. 13 from the opening over!
Imad Wasim to Glenn Phillips. Outside off, punched uppishly but wide of the bowler, down the ground for one.
Imad Wasim to Colin Munro. Fuller on middle, pushed through long on for a run.
Imad Wasim to Glenn Phillips. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a single.
Imad Wasim to Colin Munro. Excellent fielding by Babar Azam. Desperate stuff. A touch short on middle, Colin punches it down the ground. The ball almost makes it to the ropes but Babar gives it a good chase from mid on and at the last moment, dives to pull the ball back in. Three runs taken.
Imad Wasim to Colin Munro. SIX! FEROCIOUS! What a start! Full and around off, Munro gets down on a knee and slogs it wayyyy over mid-wicket!
The players are already onto the field, in the Ring Of Fire. Colin Munro and Glenn Phillips are the openers for New Zealand. As expected, Imad Wasim will start off the proceedings with the ball.
Danny Morrison took an interview of Colin Munro a few minutes ago. The latter admits that this is his favourite format as it allows him to be aggressive right from the word go. Stresses that right balance is the key. Adds that he tries to cover his stumps and then play his shots. On his bowling, he says that he is enjoying his game overall, though sometimes his bowling does not come off. Points out that the job expected out of him with the ball is to stop boundaries. Agrees that he is aspiring to make it to the ODI World Cup squad but it is a very long journey, with the one-day squad doing well currently. Wants to keep performing consistently and then let his fate decide.
A must-win encounter for the Black Caps, no doubt. But they will be fresher than their counterparts. In the last game, they were rusty. Pakistan, on the other hand, are just a win away from their 11th consecutive series victory in T20Is. In terms of matches, they are on a 7-game winning streak. Will that extend tonight? We shall see...
Why try and mend something if it is not broken? The Kiwis seem to be going by that saying. They are unchanged from the previous game. Pakistan, on the other hand, have got a big boost, with Fakhar Zaman recovering from his knee injury and passed fit. He replaces Sahibzada Farhan.
TOSS - Time for the spin of the coin. Kane Williamson has called it correctly and boy, NEW ZEALAND ARE BATTING FIRST. Now, now, now... the number 1 T20I team in the world has not been the greatest when it comes to chasing. Or... even while batting. If the Kiwis manage to get to 150, then we could have a really good contest on your hands.
A ripper of a first T20I. New Zealand almost pipping out Pakistan. Satisfied crowds. Now, the carnival moves to Dubai. Pakistan, who are in a busy home season have been travelling to and fro between Abu Dhabi and Dubai so frequently, that it almost seems like Pakistan Super League is in action. Hello and a warm welcome to the second T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand in Dubai.
Right then, Pakistan have taken an unassailable lead in the series by registering yet another convincing win. We have one more T20I game left in the series and it's on the 4th of November in Dubai. Do join us at 2000 local (1600 GMT) for all the action. Cheers!
Sarfraz Ahmed says that he's pleased with the victory and credits his boys for all the effort. Adds that he was very confident of overhauling the target. Admits that it got a bit close but the experience of Hafeez and Malik came in handy. States that he has the power in his batting to chase down any total. Also says that his boys are aware of where to field and bowl and to their good luck everything is falling in place. He is delighted with the form of Mohammad Hafeez and reckons that Babar Azam is improving with every game. Believes that Asif Ali has the talent and he is backing him to do well up the order.
Kane Williamson praises Pakistan for playing well and executing their plans. Feels that they batted well and put a good score on the board but they need to be a bit better with their all-round game. On their bowling, Kane replies that they always look for wickets and also try to squeeze the scoring rate. Mentions that they need to make small adjustments and keep improving.
Man of the Match award is won by Shaheen Afridi for his brilliant bowling performance! Says that he wants to continue with the good work and keep doing best for Pakistan. Thanks the support staff for all the help and feels that he's bowling well at the death with his variations. Adds that he works on the weakness of the batsmen. Wants to play well and long for Pakistan.
Surprisingly, the bowling did not stand up for New Zealand tonight. Colin de Grandhomme produced his MOST ECONOMICAL SPELL in a completed lot of 4 overs while Tim Southee managed to keep things tight upfront but lack of wickets hurt the Black Caps and the rest could not quite contribute. Please stay tuned for the presentation.
New Zealand had slipped from 50/1 to 68/4 by the halfway mark. Pakistan progressed from 50/1 to 75/1. Partnerships are always the key while chasing and the hosts produced those. Babar Azam held forte initially, with a 56-run stand with Asif Ali and then, when both fell in quick succession, the senior pros - Malik and Hafeez ensured that the home side did not throw it away.
The start of the chase was similar to how the Kiwis started off with the bat earlier in the evening. Fakhar Zaman played the role of Munro and 50 came up in the Powerplay. Then, just like the visitors lost a wicket towards the end of the field restriction, Pakistan lost Zaman. But then, here came the main difference.
Not many would have anticipated this at the start. Before tonight, Pakistan had never successfully chased a 150-plus total in T20Is in the Middle East. Also, given the way, the series against Australia had shaped up and how the first match against New Zealand had unfolded, the general feeling was that the Kiwis had got enough with 153 on the board.
Fantastic. Outstanding. Choose any word which you want. But consistency? At one point of time, consistency's second meaning was Australia. Now, hold your breath... it is Pakistan. Their 11th successive T20I series win. 8th victory on the trot in this format. 11th consecutive win while chasing. Wow. Simply wow.
Adam Milne to Mohammad Hafeez. FOUR! Hafeez finishes it with a calm head! Receives a full length delivery around off and just lifts it over extra cover to seal the series. PAKISTAN WIN BY 6 WICKETS! Smiles all around, their 11th consecutive series win. Take a bow, Pakistan.
Adam Milne to Mohammad Hafeez. Full toss again, it's lofted down to long on for a couple of runs. Great running by the Pakistan skipper. But a better throw to the keeper would have made things interesting.
Sarfraz Ahmed walks in next but won't be on strike.
Adam Milne to Shoaib Malik. OUT! Malik holes out! Another rank full toss fetching a wicket. It's angling into the batsman, Malik stays back and tries to power it over mid-wicket. Fails to make proper connection and Phillips in the deep mid-wicket region makes no mistake. Is there any twist in the tale? 6 needed off 4 balls.
Adam Milne to Mohammad Hafeez. Risky! Fullish and on middle, Hafeez drives it to mid off and scampers to the other end as the fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end. Direct hit would have been curtains for Hafeez.
7 needed off the last over. Adam Milne to bowl. Can he do something extraordinary?
Tim Southee to Mohammad Hafeez. Full length delivery outside off, Hafeez shuffles across the stumps and works it through square leg for a run.
Tim Southee to Mohammad Hafeez. Throws it full and wide outside off, Hafeez chases it away from his body and pushes it straight to covers.
Tim Southee to Shoaib Malik. A length ball outside off, Malik stays back and punches it to wide long off for one.
Tim Southee to Mohammad Hafeez. Fuller and outside off, stroked by Hafeez this time through covers. A single taken.
Tim Southee to Shoaib Malik. Very full and outside off, Malik forces it down to long on for a run.
Tim Southee to Shoaib Malik. Another wide! Southee seems to be struggling. He is attempting to bowl full but wide outside off. So far he has failed to keep it inside the tramline.
Tim Southee to Shoaib Malik. Wide! Good length delivery in the channel outside off, Malik makes a leave and it's wided.
Tim Southee to Mohammad Hafeez. Full and outside off, Hafeez pushes it out to covers for a quick run.
Tim Southee is back on.
Colin Munro to Mohammad Hafeez. A length ball on off, Hafeez eases it down to long off for a run. 14 needed off 12 balls. Pakistan's game to lose!
Colin Munro to Mohammad Hafeez. Angles in a full ball on off, Hafeez drives it back to the bowler.
Colin Munro to Shoaib Malik. Fullish and on middle, forced down to long on for a run.
Colin Munro to Shoaib Malik. SIX! The new daddy has dismissed this from his sight! Fuller length ball on middle, Malik gets forward with a big stride and launches it over cow corner for a biggie. Cruise mode now for Pakistan.
Colin Munro to Shoaib Malik. An off cutter, moving back in from around off, Malik stays back to play it on the off side but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Colin Munro to Mohammad Hafeez. Attempts to play the reverse sweep but fails to middle it properly. It rolls in front of short third man and they cross.
Ish Sodhi to Mohammad Hafeez. 17 from the over! Sodhi continues to be short and it's cut away to deep cover for a run. Ish is done for the night, a very ordinary outing, 4-0-39-0!
Ish Sodhi to Shoaib Malik. Turning away from the batsman, again on the shorter side, Malik hits it square of the wicket on the off side. The cover-point fielder dives to make the stop and they cross after an early hesitation.
Ish Sodhi to Mohammad Hafeez. Short and pulled over mid-wicket for a run.
Ish Sodhi to Mohammad Hafeez. SIX! Hafeez is turning on the heat. Professor giving lecture to the bowler. Telling Sodhi that you cannot bowl there to him. He shimmies down the track and dismisses it over long on for a biggie. Second from the over, 14 already.
Ish Sodhi to Mohammad Hafeez. Sodhi goes short this time, outside off, Hafeez cuts it through point for a brace.
Ish Sodhi to Mohammad Hafeez. SIX! Hafeez has decided to change gears. Gets a full ball in his half and absolutely smokes it over mid-wicket. Bye bye ball. The crowd loves it.
Shoaib Malik is in next.
Colin Munro to Asif Ali. OUT! LBW off a rank full toss. Wow. Sometimes bowlers get lucky with absolutely poor delivery. Munro switches to 'round the wicket and serves it in line of the stumps again. Ali stands back to swing it over the leg side but fails to put bat on ball. The ball dips in to strike him on the back thigh pad, they appeal and the finger goes up. Sarfraz ain't impressed. 40 needed off 24 balls.
Colin Munro to Asif Ali. SIX! Asif has sent it out of Dubai! What connection! Boom... Ali lines up Munro here. Expects another slower delivery and gives the charge to a length ball in the line of the stumps. Swings his bat across the line and dumps it over long on for a maximum.
Colin Munro to Mohammad Hafeez. Short and outside off, cut through point for one.
Colin Munro to Asif Ali. Driven towards the mid on region. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Colin Munro to Mohammad Hafeez. Slower again, fuller and in line of the stumps, Hafeez clears his front leg and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket. The fielder comes charging in but the ball falls safely in front. They pick up a single.
Colin Munro to Asif Ali. Slower shorter ball on middle, pulled behind square leg for a run.
Ish Sodhi to Mohammad Hafeez. This time Hafeez dances down the track and chops his square cut through cover-point for a couple of runs.
Ish Sodhi to Asif Ali. Walks down the track and mistimes his lofted shot towards deep cover. The fielder runs in but it drops in front of him. A single added to the total.
Ish Sodhi to Asif Ali. Shortish and outside off, spinning further away, Ali leaves it alone thinking it will be wided. It wasn't as the ball was well within the tramline.
Ish Sodhi to Mohammad Hafeez. Slow loopy ball on off, spinning away, Hafeez goes for the reverse sweep but fails to middle it properly. It clips his gloves and goes behind the keeper. Asif calls him for a single as Hafeez was ball-watching.
Ish Sodhi to Asif Ali. Jumps out of the crease to a full ball and hammers it straight down the ground to long on. A single to bring 100 for Pakistan!
Ish Sodhi to Asif Ali. Shorter and on off, cut with the spin but straight to point.
Ish Sodhi is back on.
Colin Munro to Asif Ali. Driven through mid on by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Colin Munro to Mohammad Hafeez. Finds the gap through mid off and takes a single.
Colin Munro to Mohammad Hafeez. Fuller in length outside off, driven off the front foot to covers.
Colin Munro to Asif Ali. Taps it on the off side and pinches a single.
Colin Munro to Asif Ali. Another slower one, Ali pushes it to mid on.
Colin Munro to Asif Ali. Slower delivery, around off, Ali plays it towards mid-wicket.
Colin Munro into the attack. He is similar to de Grandhomme and Williamson is taking a punt on him as his regular spinners have not done the job efficiently.
Mohammad Hafeez is the new batsman.
Tim Southee to Babar Azam. OUT! Maybe that little stop in play hampered Babar's momentum. He tries to invent a shot over mid off but fails to get the desired elevation to go over the fielder inside the ring. Ferguson (sub) takes an easy catch to break the 56-run stand. New Zealand would like to build on this now. 58 runs needed more in 42 balls!
Tim Southee to Babar Azam. The batsman has punched that ball through the offside.
Tim Southee to Asif Ali. Appeal for an lbw! Not given! Southee delivers a length ball on middle, Asif tries hitting it to the leg side but misses. He is rapped on the pads, the bowler appeals as the batsmen cross. Given as a leg bye. Maybe going down leg and it was a little too high as well.
Play halted. Physio is in the middle. Asif Ali seems to have pulled his hamstring. Getting some stretching currently. He is now back on his feet and we are ready to resume...
Tim Southee to Asif Ali. SIX! High and handsome! A solid connection to bring the 50-run stand. Southee delivers a slower ball, fuller in length around off and it's picked quite early by the batsman. Asif gives it the full whack of his bat and swings it mightily over mid-wicket. 59 needed off 45 balls!
Tim Southee to Babar Azam. Gets one on bat this time and cracks this shortish delivery to deep mid-wicket for a run.
Tim Southee to Babar Azam. Tries the slower one but it goes down the leg side. Babar tries slogging it over the leg side but misses. It clips his pads and rolls behind to the keeper.
Tim Southee is back into the attack. 66 needed off 48 balls.
Colin de Grandhomme to Babar Azam. Width on offer outside off, Babar rocks back and cracks it through cover-point for one. Colin has done a decent job in the middle overs. He has bowled out now, 4-0-21-0!
Colin de Grandhomme to Babar Azam. Shortish and outside off, it's tapped down in front of backward point.
Colin de Grandhomme to Asif Ali. Serves a length ball on the pads, it's nudged down to fine leg for a run.
Colin de Grandhomme to Babar Azam. Driven through mid on by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Colin de Grandhomme to Babar Azam. And again. Another delivery down the leg side, this time it takes the pads of Azam and rolls behind. Once again the keeper saves some runs.
Colin de Grandhomme to Babar Azam. Wide! Slips one down the leg side, Azam lets it be and Seifert does well to collect it.
Colin de Grandhomme to Asif Ali. Angling into the batsman, Ali gets behind the line and lofts it over mid on for a run.
Ish Sodhi to Babar Azam. Shortish and outside off, Azam cuts it past the diving point fielder for a couple of runs. Sloppy effort.
Ish Sodhi to Babar Azam. FOUR! This will release some pressure. Sodhi drags his length short and bowls it wide outside off. Babar attacks it and powers it over covers for a boundary.
Ish Sodhi to Babar Azam. Wide! Bowls it way wide outside off, Azam allows it through.
Ish Sodhi to Babar Azam. Quicker and on middle, punched from the back foot to covers.
Ish Sodhi to Babar Azam. Flatter on off, defended off the back foot.
Ish Sodhi to Babar Azam. Not out! Shortish and on off, Babar cuts it to point and wants a run. He comes running down the track but Asif sends him back at the last moment. The throw comes to the keeper who takes the bails off and appeals. The umpire goes upstairs and the replays find Babar safe.
Run out appeal. It has been referred upstairs...
Ish Sodhi to Asif Ali. DROPPED! Colin de Grandhomme is the culprit here. A short delivery on middle, Asif mistimes his pull shot in the air and de Grandhomme reacts quickly from long on. But he slips a bit in the process and has to dive forward to attempt for the catch. Fails to hold on the ball and they take a run.
Colin de Grandhomme to Asif Ali. Mishit! A length delivery outside off, Babar dances down the track and drags his shot over mid on. A single to end the over. 79 needed off 60 balls.
Colin de Grandhomme to Asif Ali. Full and angling into the batsman, Ali flicks it on the leg side but finds mid-wicket.
Colin de Grandhomme to Babar Azam. Takes the pace off the delivery and bowls it short around off. Babar moves back and punches it through cover-point for a single.
Colin de Grandhomme to Asif Ali. Darts in a short ball again and Asif this time pulls it in front of square leg for one.
Colin de Grandhomme to Babar Azam. Colin drags his length short on middle and it has been pulled through square leg for a single.
Colin de Grandhomme to Asif Ali. Length ball on middle, Asif goes on the back foot and strokes it to long on for a run.
Ish Sodhi to Asif Ali. Once again Sodhi is on the shorter side with his length and Ali punches it through covers for a single. A very ordinary first over by Ish!
Ish Sodhi to Babar Azam. Dances down the track to a full ball and drags his shot from the inner half of the bat to long on for one.
Ish Sodhi to Asif Ali. Short again, this time wide outside off, Asif cuts it through cover-point and takes a single.
Ish Sodhi to Babar Azam. Shortish and pulled to deep mid-wicket for a run.
Ish Sodhi to Asif Ali. Flatter and outside off, punched through covers for a run.
Ish Sodhi to Asif Ali. FOUR! Welcomes the leggie into the attack with a boundary. A long hop on middle, Asif rocks back and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Ish Sodhi is introduced into the attack.
Colin de Grandhomme to Babar Azam. Another slower one, this time the length is too full and Babar defends it by getting forward. Looks to steal a run but the bowler quickly gets to the ball. 4 from this over.
Colin de Grandhomme to Asif Ali. Slower length ball on middle, Asif punches it down to long on for another easy run.
Colin de Grandhomme to Babar Azam. Straighter in line, Azam uses his wrists to flick it through square leg for a single.
Colin de Grandhomme to Asif Ali. Gets behind the line of the delivery and pushes it through mid on for one.
Colin de Grandhomme to Asif Ali. A length ball on middle, flicked on the leg side but straight to mid-wicket.
Colin de Grandhomme to Babar Azam. Drifting down the leg side, worked towards short fine leg for one.
Ajaz Patel to Babar Azam. Slower delivery, full and on off, Azam plays it with soft hands to covers and retains strike with a single.
Ajaz Patel to Asif Ali. Hangs back to a short ball and punches it down to long on for a run.
Ajaz Patel to Babar Azam. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Ajaz Patel to Asif Ali. Shortish on middle, eased down to long on for a single.
Ajaz Patel to Babar Azam. Gets forward and drives it through covers for a run.
Ajaz Patel to Babar Azam. Wide! Fires one down the leg side, Azam fails to put bat on ball.
Ajaz Patel to Asif Ali. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Colin de Grandhomme to Asif Ali. Gently works it off his pads to short fine leg for one. 50/1 in the Powerplay, this is exactly what the Kiwis got at this stage!
Colin de Grandhomme to Babar Azam. Driven towards the mid on region. One run added to the total.
Colin de Grandhomme to Asif Ali. Sliding down the leg side, Ali fails to flick and it goes off his pads. They take a leg bye.
Colin de Grandhomme to Babar Azam. Another run out chance! This time Babar nudges it off his pads to short fine leg and wants a run. Asif responds and makes it safely as Ajaz fails to score a direct hit at the striker's end.
Colin de Grandhomme to Babar Azam. Chance of a run out! Azam works it off his pads to the leg side and Asif wants a run. He is sent back and makes it in just in time as the fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end.
Colin de Grandhomme to Babar Azam. FOUR! Poor length at such pace! Short and outside off, Babar rocks back and smacks it through extra cover for a cracking boundary. A great start to the over.
Colin de Grandhomme into the attack.
Adam Milne to Babar Azam. Width on offer outside off, Azam glides it down to third man for a run. 7 runs and a wicket from the over!
Adam Milne to Asif Ali. On the pads and Ali works it behind square leg for a run.
Asif Ali is the number 3 batsman.
Adam Milne to Fakhar Zaman. OUT! Kane Williamson has pulled out an absolute stunner! You won't see many catches like this too often but with New Zealand in the field, you can expect it! The Flying Kiwi! A delight to watch! Milne delivers it on a length around off, at 147 kph, Zaman tries to pump it over mid off but fails to get the desired connection. It loops in the air towards mid off where Williamson flies to his left and takes one-handed ripper. They needed something special to dismiss Fakhar who was looking in scintillating form.
Adam Milne to Fakhar Zaman. An off pace delivery, shortish and in line of the stumps, Fakhar hops back to make space on the off side but cuts it straight towards the point fielder.
Adam Milne to Babar Azam. Drifting down the leg side, it's helped through square leg for a run.
Adam Milne to Babar Azam. FOUR! Crashed! Milne serves a length delivery outside off, there is width on offer and Babar crashes it off his back foot through covers.
Tim Southee to Babar Azam. Babar opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man. They pick up a single. A much-better over for the Kiwis, just 2 runs coming off it!
Tim Southee to Babar Azam. Short on off, punched to covers.
Tim Southee to Babar Azam. A touch short and on off, angling in, Azam pushes it towards mid on.
Tim Southee to Babar Azam. DROPPED! A slower delivery by Southee, on the shorter side outside off, Azam gets across a bit to hit it on the leg side but under edges it behind. It's dying in front of the keeper who goes down low, gets is gloves under it but fails to pouch it. They need to take these half chances.
Tim Southee to Babar Azam. Stays on the back foot and punches it to the off side, finds the cover fielder.
Tim Southee to Fakhar Zaman. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
Adam Milne to Fakhar Zaman. Makes space to hit through the line on the off side but Milne senses that and hurls in a yorker on off. Zaman digs it out off the inner half of his blade and it goes past his stumps to the right of Seifert. They take a single. 11 from the over again, 33 from 3!
Adam Milne to Babar Azam. Straighter in line, Azam this time flicks it behind square leg for a run.
Adam Milne to Babar Azam. Angling into the batsman, Babar closes the face of the bat and works it wide of short fine leg. Sodhi gives the chase and slides to pull it back. He jars his knee on the turf in the process but thankfully no harm done. Two runs added to the total.
Adam Milne to Fakhar Zaman. Fuller length this time, on off, Zaman drives it to mid off for a single.
Adam Milne to Fakhar Zaman. SIX! Out of here! Zaman fights fire with fire. Milne bangs in a sharp delivery, shorter in length around middle, Zaman turns inside the crease and towers it over square leg for a biggie.
Adam Milne to Fakhar Zaman. Too full in length on off, it's driven off the front foot but straight to the cover fielder.
Bowling change. Adam Milne replaces Ajaz Patel.
Tim Southee to Fakhar Zaman. Slower one outside off, Zaman taps it down on the off side and retains strike with a single.
Tim Southee to Fakhar Zaman. FOUR! With Fakhar in the middle, runs will flow! Southee angles it across the batsman, it's outside off, too much room for Zaman to free his arms and he just blasts it through cover-point.
Tim Southee to Fakhar Zaman. Beaten! Southee digs in a short delivery around off, Zaman stands back to play the ramp shot but misses.
Tim Southee to Babar Azam. Walks across the stumps to a length ball and works it in front of square leg for a run.
Tim Southee to Babar Azam. LUCKY FOUR! Southee offers width outside off seeing which Babar tries to slap it through the line. But it takes the inside edge and speeds past the stumps to fine leg for a boundary.
Tim Southee to Fakhar Zaman. Good length delivery angling down the leg side, Fakhar tries flicking but misses and it goes off his pads to square leg for a leg bye.
Tim Southee to bowl from the other end.
Ajaz Patel to Babar Azam. Flatter delivery around off, Babar hits it back to the bowler. End of the over, a good start for Pakistan.
Ajaz Patel to Fakhar Zaman. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Ajaz Patel to Babar Azam. This is how Babar bats. He builds his knock with singles. Take a run by easing a full ball to long on.
Ajaz Patel to Fakhar Zaman. Jumps out of the crease to a full ball and forces it down through mid off for a run.
Ajaz Patel to Fakhar Zaman. FOUR! Another boundary, just like the other one. Once again Ajaz drags his length short and Zaman cracks it square of the wicket on the off side. The backward point fielder dives across to his right but to no avail.
Ajaz Patel to Fakhar Zaman. FOUR! Great beginning! Flatter and shorter outside off, Fakhar rocks back and smashes it through the gap between short third man and backward point. Pakistan too start their innings with a boundary. The Kiwis got a biggie.
We're back for the run chase. Babar Azam has got his usual partner back in Fakhar Zaman. Target is 154 in 120 legal balls. Ajaz Patel to kickoff proceedings...