New zealand national cricket team vs pakistan national cricket team match scorecard

The cricketing rivalry between New Zealand and Pakistan was rekindled in April 2024 with a thrilling five-match T20 series played in Pakistan. This high-energy series displayed exceptional batting displays, nail-biting finishes, and exceptional bowling performances, keeping fans on the edge of their seats throughout. Let us delve into the scorecard of each match and analyze the key moments that shaped the series.

1st T20I: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi (April 18th, 2024)

Pakistan opted to bowl first after winning the toss. New Zealand struggled early, losing wickets consistently. Despite a valiant 42-run knock from Finn Allen, the entire team was dismissed for a paltry 92 runs in 17 overs. Shaheen Afridi, the young Pakistani pace sensation, wreaked havoc with his fiery spell, picking up 4 wickets for just 19 runs.

Pakistan, in response, chased down the target comfortably in 20 overs, losing only 3 wickets. Veteran batsman Iftikhar Ahmed anchored the chase with a well-composed 58 runs, while Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam provided valuable contributions at the top of the order. Pakistan secured a convincing 42-run victory, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.

• Player of the Match: Iftikhar Ahmed (Pakistan)

2nd T20I: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi (April 20th, 2024)

This match turned out to be a much closer contest. Pakistan batted first after electing to do so again. They posted a competitive total of 174 runs on the board, with contributions from Babar Azam (38 runs) and Shadab Khan (32 runs). New Zealand’s bowling attack, led by Lockie Ferguson and Trent Boult, shared the wickets effectively.

In reply, New Zealand got off to a steady start with a 50-run opening partnership between Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell. However, the middle order faltered, losing wickets at regular intervals. Glenn Phillips, with a quickfire 47 off 28 balls, provided a late impetus to the chase. Ultimately, New Zealand fell short by just 7 runs, despite a valiant effort. Shaheen Afridi once again impressed with his bowling, picking up 3 wickets for Pakistan.

• Player of the Match: Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)

3rd T20I: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi (April 21st, 2024)

This match was a seesaw battle that went down to the wire. New Zealand, after being put in to bat first, posted a decent total of 178 runs on the board. Mark Chapman, with a well-paced 72 runs, was the star performer for the visitors. Pakistan’s bowling attack was disciplined, with Haris Rauf picking up 3 wickets.

Pakistan’s chase started positively, with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan providing a solid foundation. However, the middle order once again succumbed to the pressure, losing wickets at crucial junctures. With 10 runs required from the last two overs and 3 wickets remaining, the tension was palpable. New Zealand held their nerve, with Tim Southee taking two crucial wickets in the final over to seal a dramatic victory by 7 wickets.

• Player of the Match: Mark Chapman (New Zealand)

4th T20I: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (April 25th, 2024)

The momentum shifted in this cricket match as New Zealand displayed their batting prowess. Put into bat, they got off to a flying start, with Tom Blundell and Tom Robinson stitching together a quickfire 50-run partnership. Glenn Phillips continued the onslaught with a blistering 48 runs off just 25 balls. New Zealand finished their innings with a formidable total of 178 runs on the board.

Pakistan, in response, started cautiously but lost wickets at regular intervals. Despite a fighting knock of 42 runs from Mohammad Rizwan, the chase proved to be too much. HOW LONG CAN A MAN LIVE WITHOUT FOOD AND WATER? New Zealand’s bowling attack, led by Mitchell Santner and Lockie Ferguson, shared the spoils effectively, restricting Pakistan to 174 runs. New Zealand secured a thrilling victory by 4 runs, taking a crucial 3-1 lead in the series.

• Player of the Match: Will O’Rourke (New Zealand)

5th T20I: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (April 27th, 2024)

Pakistan, desperate to avoid a series defeat in cricket, opted to bowl first after winning the toss. Their bowling attack responded with a disciplined performance, restricting New Zealand to 169 runs. Tim Southee, the veteran Kiwi pacer, was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets for just 21 runs.

Pakistan’s chase in the T20 World Cup 2024 – Points Table was built around a solid partnership between Babar Azam (45 runs) and Fakhar Zaman (38 runs). However, wickets started to fall at regular intervals, putting pressure on the middle order. Shadab Khan, with a crucial 32-run knock, provided some late resistance. Despite their best efforts, Pakistan fell short by 9 runs, handing the series victory to New Zealand.

• Player of the Match: Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)

Series Recap

The five-match T20I series between New Zealand and Pakistan was a captivating display of cricketing talent. New Zealand emerged victorious with a score of 3-2, displaying their resilience and ability to handle pressure situations. The series saw exceptional individual performances from both sides.

• Shaheen Afridi, the young Pakistani pace bowler, was a constant threat throughout the series, picking up a total of 12 wickets and rightfully claiming the Player of the Series award.
• Mark Chapman and Will O’Rourke from New Zealand played crucial knocks in their respective victories, demonstrating the depth of batting talent in the Kiwi lineup.

The series also highlighted the importance of bowling partnerships and fielding excellence in T20 cricket. Both teams displayed moments of brilliance in these aspects, making the contest even more exciting.

Looking Ahead

This T20I series served as a crucial preparation for both teams for upcoming major tournaments. New Zealand will be looking to carry this winning momentum forward, while Pakistan will be determined to learn from their shortcomings and come back stronger in future encounters. The cricketing rivalry between these two nations promises to continue to be a source of enthralling matches for fans worldwide.