Christchurch, New Zealand: Hosts New Zealand outclassed Pakistan by 9 wickets in a Tri-Nation Cricket Series match at Hagley Oval cricket ground Christchurch, New Zealand on Tuesday, as a magical bowling spell by Michael Bracewell (2 for 11) restricted Green Shirts on a low total of 130 for 7 runs in 20 overs.
Black Caps achieved their target of 131 runs in 16.1 overs, as they had 9 wickets in hand too. Both Kiwi openers right-handed batter Finn Allen and left-handed Devon Conway showed aggression and plunder 117 runs for the first wicket. Finn hit 6 sixes a solitary four during his 42 balls inning and scored 62 runs while his partner wicketkeeper batter scored 49 not out runs with the help of five boundaries. Skipper Kane Williamson scored 9 runs on 9 balls and remained unbeaten. Shahdab was the only Pakistan bowler, who got one wicket for 26 runs.
Earlier, the Pakistan captain decided to bat first after winning the toss. Kiwi spinners did not allow any Pakistani batter to settle on a dry pitch. Iftikhar Ahmed 27 (27 balls), Babar Azam 21 (23 balls), Mohammad Rizwan 16 (17 balls) and Shan Masood 14 (12 balls) were the main scorers. No Pakistani batter could hit a single six during the 20 overs innings. Michael Bracewell (2 for 11), Mitchell Santner (2 for 27), Tim Southee (2 for 31) and Ish Sodhi (1 for 23) were the wicket taker bowlers for the winning team.
Summarized Scorecard (New Zealand beat Pakistan by 9 wickets)
Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Toss: Pakistan, elected to bat first
Player of the Match: Michael Bracewell
Pakistan Batting (130 for 7 in 20 overs)
Iftikhar Ahmed c Tickner b Southee 27 (balls 27, 4×3), Asif Ali not out 25 (balls 20, 4×3), Babar Azam c †Conway b Bracewell 21 (balls 23, 4×3), Mohammad Rizwan c Neesham b Bracewell 16 (balls 17, 4×3), Shan Masood c Bracewell b Santner 14 (balls 12, 4×2)
New Zealand Bowling:
Michael Bracewell (2 for 11), Mitchell Santner (2 for 27), Tim Southee (2 for 31), Ish Sodhi (1 for 23)
New Zealand Batting (target 131 runs in 20 overs)
Finn Allen st †Mohammad Rizwan b Shadab Khan 62 (balls 42, 4×1, 6×6), Devon Conway not out 49 (balls 46, 4×5), Kane Williamson not out 9 (balls 9)
Pakistan Bowling: Shadab Khan (for 26)
