Haider, Nawaz power Pakistan to tri-series title win over NZ
Cricket
Chasing the target of 164 runs, Pakistan finished the match with three balls to spare.
CHRISTCHURCH (Dunya News) - Pakistan batter Haider Ali and all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz powered Pakistan to a five-wicket win over New Zealand in the final of the Twenty20 tri-series at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on Friday.
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 14, 2022
Chasing the target of 164 runs, Pakistan finished the match with three balls to spare. Middle order batter Iftikhar Ahmed hit the winning runs, he hit a six to Blair Tickner to seal the deal for Pakistan.
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 14, 2022
Like in the first innings, Pakistan took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second ten-over period. Haider Ali turned the game around on its head after the dependent Mohammad Rizwan was dismissed. Nawaz assisted him and continued after Haider left, Iftikhar Ahmed was steady and took off gradually. He played second fiddle and eventually, cleared the game.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam scored 15 off 14 balls while wicket-keeper batter Rizwan posted 34 off 29 balls. Shan Masood once again failed, scoring 19 runs off 21 balls. While Haider Ali contributed 31 runs off just 15 balls.
For his prolific all-round performance, Nawaz bagged Player of the Match Award. He scored 38 runs off 22 balls. He conceded 33 runs in his 4-over spell and took a wicket of GD Phillips.
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 14, 2022
In post-match presentation ceremony, Babar said, "The way our team played deserves all the credit. The bowlers were brilliant at the death. The way the middle order played was outstanding. Haider and Nawaz are outstanding, so we need to step up and perform."
On the wicket slowing down, he said, "It didn’t make me change my thoughts about the toss. The wicket played the same too."
Babar also said that the team is going to Australia with confidence.
Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh were using the week-long tournament at Hagley Oval to prepare for the T20 World Cup in Australia.
