Siam Ayub (47 runs, 28 balls), Fakhar Zaman (47 runs, 34 balls), Haris Rauf (4 for 17), Imad Wasim (2 for 2) top doers
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE: Joint efforts of batters and bowlers steered Pakistan to a massive victory against New Zealand by 88 runs in the opening fixture of the five-match series at Qaddafi Cricket Stadium Lahore on Friday night, as the hosts got a 1-0 lead in the series.
Earlier Pakistani captain Babar Azam won the toss and decided to bat first against New Zealand in the first T20I of the five-match series. Skipper Babar Azam and his deputy Mohammad Rizwan could not impress with the bat and went back to the hut after scoring merely 9 and 8 runs respectively, as the total was just 30 in 4.2 overs.
Left-handed batters Siam Ayub and Fakhar Zaman exhibited some aggregation and put 79 runs for 3rd wicket, as both batters scored 47 runs each off 28 and 34 balls respectively. Saim smashed six boundaries and a couple of sixes while Fakhar hit four fours and two sixes. Pakistan were 100 for 2 in 10.4 overs. Fahim Ashraf (22 runs, 16 balls, 4x1, 6x1), and Imad Wasim (16 runs, 13 balls, 4x2, 6x0) were other major contributors to the Green Shirts’ total.
Kiwi pacer Matt Henry claimed a hat trick after sending three batters, Shadab Kha, Iftikar Ahmed and Shaeen Shah Afridi, back on three sequential balls respectively. Ben Lister got two wickets for 30 runs while Adam Milne (2 for 51), James Neesham (1 for 18), and Ish Sodhi (1 for 34) were other wicket-takers bowlers for visitors.
In response Black Caps all batters were left off the pitch at 94 runs total in 15.3 overs, as they were chasing 183 runs target in 20 overs against the well-skilled bowlers of the home side. Right-arm pacer Haris Rauf dented the batting line of New Zealanders by claiming 4 wickets in 3.3 overs. He conceded merely 17 runs. Imad Wasim supported him by getting two wickets in 1 over.
Kiwi batters, Mark Chapman (34 runs, 27 balls) and skipper Tom Latham (20 runs, 24 balls), did well with the bat, however, the rest of the players failed to face Pakistani bowlers. New Zealand all team bundled out on just 94 runs in 15.3 overs. Haris Rauf (4 for 17) was judged the player of the match.
Summarized Scorecard:
Toss: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first
Player of the Match: Haris Rauf (Pakistan)
Pakistan (Batting) 182 runs all out in 19.5 overs
Siam Ayub (47 runs, 28 balls, 4x6, 6x2), Fakhar Zaman (47 runs, 34 balls, 4x4, 6x2), Faheem Ashraf (22 runs. 16 balls, 4x1, 6x1), Imad Wasim (16 runs, 13 balls, 4x2, 6x0)
New Zealand (Bowling)
Matt Henry (3 for 32), Ben Lister (2 for 30), Adam Milne (2 for 51), James Neesham (1 for 18), Ish Sodhi (1 for 34)
New Zealand (Batting): 94 all out in 15.3 overs
Target 183 runs in 20 overs
Mark Chapman (34 runs, 27 balls, 4x4, 6x1), Tom Latham (20 runs, 24 balls, 4x1, 6x0),
Pakistan (Bowling)
Haris Rauf (4 for 17), Imad Wasim (2 for 2), Shaheen Shah Afridi (1 for 11), Zaman Khan (1 for 12), Faheem Ashraf (1 for 17), Shadab Khan (1 for 28),
Pakistan (Playing XIs):
Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan
New Zealand (Playing XIs):
Tom Latham (captain & wicketkeeper), Chad Bowes, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Adam Milne, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Ben Lister
