ISLAMABAD – Pakistan beat New Zealand by 7 wickets in the second T20 of the five-match series in Rawalpindi on Saturday.
Batting first, New Zealand set a 91-run target for Pakistan in 18.1 overs at the loss of all 10 wickets. Chasing the target, Pakistan scored the required number of runs in 12.1 overs at the loss of 3 wickets. Muhammad Rizwan scored 45 runs not out and Irfan Khan 18 runs not out.
Saim Ayub and Babar Azam opened the innings from the Pakistan side. Saim Ayub scored only 4 runs, while Babar Azam could make only 14 runs. Usman Khan returned to the pavilion after scoring 7 runs. The match started at 7:30 pm.
The first Twenty20 international was called off due to widespread rain. Men in Green handed T20I caps to newcomers Usman Khan, spinner Abrar Ahmed and all-rounder Muhammad Irfan Khan, while Robinson debuted for Kiwis.
The rest of games are slated to be held in Rawalpindi today on April 20 and 21 and in Lahore on April 25 and 27.
The T20 series is warm up for both sides ahead of the T20 World Cup to be held in June.
Pakistan vs New Zealand Squads
Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi
New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (captain), Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi Umpires: Ahsan Raza (PAK) and Aleem Dar (PAK) Tv umpire: Faisal Afridi (PAK) Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
