Pakistan’s Batting Collapse Against New Zealand’s Pace Attack
Pakistan’s batting lineup crumbled under the relentless pace attack of New Zealand, as the visitors were dismissed for a mere 91 runs in just 18.4 overs. This marked Pakistan’s fifth-lowest total in T20 internationals and their lowest-ever score in New Zealand.
The collapse mirrored a similar setback from their previous tour, when, in the fifth T20I in Christchurch, Pakistan was bowled out for 92 while chasing a modest target of 135. However, this time, their struggle came while setting a total, allowing New Zealand to dominate from the outset.
Pakistan’s Experiment Backfires
In an attempt to reshape their approach in T20 cricket, Pakistan opted to leave out experienced stalwarts Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, signaling a shift towards a more aggressive and flexible strategy. While this decision aimed to break free from their usual style, it exposed the inherent risks of such experimentation. On Sunday, the team found itself at the receiving end of a brutal pace assault, succumbing to their lowest-ever T20I total in New Zealand.
A Day of Dominance for New Zealand
New Zealand’s men’s team followed in the footsteps of the White Ferns, securing a dominant victory on a day of double-header fixtures in Christchurch. Kyle Jamieson and Jacob Duffy proved too much for Pakistan’s batters, sharing seven wickets between them. The extra bounce generated by the Kiwi pacers played a crucial role, unsettling the Pakistani batters who struggled to adapt to the conditions.
Jamieson’s Fiery Start
Making his return to New Zealand’s T20I squad after nearly two years, Jamieson set the perfect tone with a wicket maiden in the very first over. Mohammad Haris failed to negotiate a sharp, rising delivery and only managed to edge it behind to wicketkeeper Mitch Hay.
Pakistan’s struggles continued when debutant Hasan Nawaz mistimed a shot off Jacob Duffy, resulting in a leading edge that flew straight to Jamieson at deep third. With both openers dismissed for ducks, Pakistan found themselves in a precarious position, marking only the second time in their T20I history that both opening batters had been dismissed without scoring.
Jamieson then struck again in the third over, inducing an edge from Irfan Khan that was safely taken behind the stumps. With the scoreboard reading a dismal 1 for 3, Pakistan had registered their lowest-ever total at the fall of the third wicket in T20 internationals.
New Zealand’s sharp fielding further compounded Pakistan’s woes. Tim Robinson, drawing fresh comparisons to Glenn Phillips’ heroics from the Champions Trophy, pulled off a spectacular catch at backward point to remove another batter. With just 11 runs on the board and four wickets lost, Pakistan’s innings was in complete disarray.
New Zealand’s Clinical Chase
Pakistan, desperate for a breakthrough, turned to spin in an attempt to slow down New Zealand’s chase. However, Tim Seifert wasted no time in asserting dominance, launching a towering six over long-off against Abrar Ahmed. While Abrar managed to dismiss Seifert shortly after with a clever carrom ball that took the bottom edge, the damage had already been done.
By the time the powerplays concluded, New Zealand had all but secured victory. Finn Allen added further misery for Pakistan by striking another six along with two crisp fours. Robinson also joined the onslaught, smashing a six of his own. With the hosts racing towards the target, they sealed the win just one delivery after the halfway mark of the innings, completing a commanding performance and handing Pakistan a humbling defeat.