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Pakistan and New Zealand competed in one of the biggest nail biters of the T20 World Cup 2021 to date. The two teams looked to settle matters on the pitch after the Kiwis pulled out of their tour of Pakistan right before their first match in September.
Pakistan won the toss and put New Zealand in to bat first in their second match of this year's T20 World Cup. Shaheen Afridi bowled a beautiful first over that turned out to be a maiden. Pakistan kept the pressure on and restricted the Kiwis to 134 for eight wickets. Shaheen and Haris Rauf starred with the ball before the Pakistani openers took guard.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan started slow and picked up before the wickets started to tumble. At one point it looked like the Green Shirts would lose the match. However, a late onslaught by Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali secured the victory for Pakistan in the 19th over.
Take a look at the five factors that helped Pakistan defeat the Black Caps in their second group match of the T20 World Cup 2021.
#5. Intelligent bowling changes from Pakistan against New Zealand at the T20 World Cup 2021
Babar Azam’s captaincy for Pakistan has been under the radar for some time. While Babar, the batsman, has been great on the pitch, Babar the captain made some questionable decisions during key moments.
The T20 World Cup 2021 is going to be the biggest test of Azam’s captaincy. He made some decent decisions during the match against India before leading his side to victory with the bat.
During the match against New Zealand, Babar Azam made some smart decisions after opting to field first. The T20 World Cup match saw Pakistan’s captain put the right bowlers upfront to keep things tight.
He introduced Mohammad Hafeez at the right time when a left-hander came in to bat. It took him just two deliveries to undo James Neesham in the middle overs.
Azam juggled his bowlers’ overs well and saved Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf’s overs for the death. That proved to be vital for the Men in Green as the final three overs leaked just eighteen runs as Haris and Shaheen picked up four wickets.
#4. Hasan Ali's intensity at the T20 World Cup 2021
Hasan Ali leaked a lot of runs for Pakistan in the match against India at the T20 World Cup 2021. His night with the ball in hand was similar against New Zealand. He gave 26 runs in three overs and could not pick up a wicket.
However, Hasan provided Pakistan with the biggest breakthrough at the right time. He ran out Kane Williamson just when it looked like the Black Caps captain was going to bat until the end of the innings.
Williamson was run out by Hasan after a steady 25-run innings. His dismissal helped Pakistan restrict New Zealand to a modest total.
#3. Haris Rauf’s incredible bowling performance for Pakistan against New Zealand
The X-Factor during Pakistan’s match against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup 2021 was Haris Rauf’s bowling. The pacer was trolled by many for being picked in the Pakistan side for the T20 World Cup.
He had a good outing during the match against India and proved to be the star player in the match against New Zealand. The fast bowler picked up four wickets for just 22 runs in his allotted four overs.
He bowled well at the death and varied his pace well. It was exactly what Pakistan needed from its fastest bowler.
#2. Mohammad Rizwan played a calm inning up top against New Zealand at the T20 World Cup 2021
Mohammad Rizwan played an incredible innings against India at the T20 World Cup 2021. He followed it up with a calm and controlled inning against New Zealand in Pakistan’s second round match.
Rizwan hit five boundaries in his 33 off 34 to give Pakistan an early advantage in the second innings. Any score above 30 in T20I is crucial, and Rizwan gave the initial push to help Pakistan.
The Men in Green struggled through the middle phase of the match but recovered in time to secure the win. Rizwan once again played a key role in his team's victory.
#1. The late onslaught by Shoaib Malik and Asif Ali to silence New Zealand at the T20 World Cup 2021
Pakistan started losing the plot around the 11th over. After Mohammad Rizwan got out, Pakistan started to tumble.
However, Shoaib Malik used his experience to guide Pakistan through a difficult phase. Asif Ali came in soon after to hit 3 huge sixes and a four to score 27 off 12 balls to win the match for his team.
Even a strike to the helmet could not slow Asif down as he hit the final runs to seal Pakistan’s second victory in the 2021 T20 World Cup.
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