Pakistan defeats New Zealand by 7 wickets, 5 balls to spare
Sarfraz Ahmad scored 76 runs with the help of 8 boundaries and 2 sixes, Umar Akmal scored 27.
DUBAI: (Web Desk) – Pakistan beat New Zealand in the first Twenty20 international by seven wickets at Dubai International Stadium.
Sarfraz Ahmad scored 76 runs with the help of 8 boundaries and 2 sixes. Opener Awais Zia was the first to go. He scored 20 runs off just 21 balls before getting run out by Devcich. Mohammad Hafeez was the next to go. He scored 2 runs off the 4 balls that he played before getting run out.
Haris Sohail has scored11 runs off 12 balls with the help of one boundary was caught by McCullum off McClenaghan. Other two wickets were run-out. Umar Akmal scored 27 runs with the help of three fours and a massive six.
Earlier: Pakistan contains New Zealand to 135, Anderson scores 48. Sohail Tanvir, Irfan secure 2 wickets each while Afridi, Anwar, Raza claim 1 each.
New Zealand scored 135 runs off the allotted 20 overs in the first Twenty-20 against Pakistan after being put to bat by Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi.
Corey Anderson batted brilliantly for his 48 but he was undone by a brilliant catch by Saad Nasim at midwicket boundary of Raza Hasan’s bowling. Ronchi continued from the other end and scored 33 off 28 balls but his stumps were knocked over by Sohail Tanvir in the last over of the innings. Opener Martin Guptill scored 32 runs off 30 balls but none of the other batsmen of New Zealand could make it to double figures. Williamson (0), Anton Devcich (1), Ross Taylor (4), James Neesham (6) and Nathan McCullum (1)*, Adam Milne (2)* displayed a sorry card for the visitors.
From Pakistan side, Sohail Tanvir and Mohammad Irfan took 2 wickets each while skipper Shahid Afridi, Anwar Ali and Raza Hasan claimed 1 wicket each. Saad Nasim remained brilliant in the field throughout the innings.
Earlier: New Zealand stabilize after quick wickets, Afridi destabilizes again. Kiwis are 86 for 4 after the end of 12.3 overs; Afridi, Anwar, Tanvir, Irfan claim 1 wicket each
Pakistan chose to bowl first after winning the toss on what seemed to be a good pitch for batting in the first Twenty-20 of the 2-match series between Pakistan and New Zealand. Kiwis lost their first 3 wickets for just 15 runs when Kane Williamson (0), Anton Devcich (1) and Ross Taylor (4) all left without adding much to the total. However, Martin Guptill and Corey Anderson stabilized the innings by scoring some quick runs and took the total to 61 in 9.4 overs.
However, skipper Shahid Afridi did the job again by bowling out opener Martin Guptill for 32 off 30 balls. Martin had started to find the nick but was undone by Afridi’s quicker one.
Corey Anderson has now been joined by wicket-keeper Luke Ronchi in the middle while Pakistan seems to be dominating the game with Anderson (27)*being the only obstacle before them.
NOTE: It is a developing story.
