Pakistan stormed to a convincing seven-wicket victory against a depleted New Zealand side in the second T20I of the five-match series. Babar Azam’s men chased down a paltry 91 with ease, showcasing their dominance.
Opting to chase after winning the toss, Pakistan’s bowling attack ripped through the New Zealand batting order. A collective effort saw Shaheen Shah Afridi claim three wickets, while Mohammad Amir, Shadab Khan, and Abrar Ahmed chipped in with two wickets each. New Zealand’s batting woes were evident as Mark Chapman’s 19 was the highest individual score, with the entire team collapsing in 18.1 overs.
Pakistan’s chase wasn’t flawless. Opener Saim Ayub departed cheaply for four, and skipper Babar Azam himself could only manage 14 runs. However, Mohammad Rizwan anchored the innings with an unbeaten 45, guiding his team comfortably home. New Zealand bowlers Ben Lister, Ish Sodhi, and part-time spinner Michael Bracewell managed a solitary wicket each, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a heavy defeat.
This victory gives Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the series, highlighting their superiority against a New Zealand side missing several key players. The win showcases the depth of Pakistan’s bowling attack, while Rizwan’s knock proves his reliability in the middle order. The series continues with the third T20I scheduled for April 21st.
