CHRISTCHURCH: Pakistan have knocked off their T20 World Cup preparations with a Tri-series win in New Zealand. After winning the toss and electing to field first, Pakistan did well towards the death end of the first innings to restrict New Zealand to 163/7 especially after the kind of start they got.
Thanks to the Kiwi captain Kiwi Williamson’s blistering half-century, NZ at one stage looked like scoring over 185. However, Pakistan’s specialist death overs bowler Haris Rauf returned with phenomenal figures to ensure that the Kiwis never got ahead in the game.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, as usual, opened the batting for Pakistan and showed some intent before Babar got out with Pakistan having scored 29 runs only. Shan Masood joined Rizwan at the crease and looked all at sea before he got dismissed.
Mohammad Nawaz was promoted once again and was soon joined by Haider Ali at the crease who walked in after Rizwan got dismissed LBW to Ish Sodhi. With Haider and Nawaz at the crease, Pakistan made a stunning counterattack and scored 33 runs off 8 balls to bring itself back into the game.
By the time Haider walked back, the game was all but over. Nawaz saw the game through with Iftikhar Ahmed hitting a six towards square leg for the winning runs. Nawaz was given the Player of the Match Award for his all-round efforts.