3rd T20I, Lahore, April 17, 2023, 09:30 PM
New Zealand
163/5(20.0ov)
Pakistan
159/10(20.0ov)
New Zealand beat Pakistan by 4 runs
Right then. That's it from the coverage of this game. We meet again on 20th April for the fourth T20I between the two sides. The first ball will be at 9.30 pm IST (4 pm GMT), but you can join us early for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye.
Tom Latham, the skipper of New Zealand wins the MAN OF THE MATCH award, for an outstanding effort with the blade. He starts by saying it is nice to get a win on the board. Mentions it was a great game of cricket and this match will only give confidence to the boys. Adds that the way they bowled in the Powerplay was outstanding. Informs that a T20I game is never over till the very end. States that the bowling group was fantastic. Praises Ish Sodhi and Rachin Ravindra who picked valuable wickets in the middle overs. Mentions that it is nice to contribute for the team, informs the wicket was a bit slow at the start. Mentions that he is really lucky to have some fantastic fielders in the side.
Babar Azam, the captian of Pakistan says that the total that we restricted them was decent but we couldn't capitalize on the Powerplay and that's what has cost the team. On Iftikhar coming down at 8 he says that the batting order is flexible and the way he batted so low in the order and almost brought the game home is a big positive for us. He also adds that the bowling has been brilliant for us and restricting them to 160 was a perfect execution of plan by both the senior pros and the youngsters as well.
Stay tuned for the presentation...
Earlier in the innings, Tom Latham put his hand up just when his side needed it the most. His half-century proved to be valuable as it allowed the middle-order to flex their muscles later on. The Kiwis got over the 160-run mark and that's what their skipper expected pre-game. Pakistan showed excellent unity with the ball but could not show the same unity with the bat. Iftikhar Ahmed was left with a bit too much in the end, but he still managed to give it a go.
Defending 163 was never going to be easy, but the New Zealand bowlers made sure to get off to a solid start by picking early wickets. They had Pakistan in all sorts of trouble from the get go. The bowlers never allowed them to build solid stand, until the very end, the one between Faheem Ashraf and Iftikhar Ahmed. Also, the injury to Benjamin Lister forced Tom Latham to gamble bowlers for the two overs which Lister could not bowl, as he left the field early in pain. Eventually, New Zealand fought till the very end and managed to keep the series alive.
It looked like Pakistan were done and dusted, although Iftikhar Ahmed had some other plans. It was a horror start for the hosts with the blade as their opening pair was taken out cheaply. Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan got into double digits but could not hurt the opposition at all. But then, a miraculous knock from Iftikhar Ahmed got some hope back in the crowd as well as the dugout. If not for his 24-ball 60, this match would've never come down to the wire.
Game of nerves, this one! What a thrilling contest. The pendulum swung in favour of both the teams till the very end but it is James Neesham who proved that he has ice in his veins. Even after taking some hard-hitting, he managed to defend 15 runs in the final over to keep the series alive for the Kiwis.
In over# 20
0W
0
0W
4
0
6
James Neesham 38/3(4)
19.6
W
OUT! HIGH IN THE AIR AND TAKEN IN THE DEEP! On a length in middle, Haris Rauf slogs this high toward the deep mid-wicket fence and is taken comfortably by Chad Bowes under pressure. New Zealand stays alive in the series as they have won this by 4 runs.
19.5
.
On a length outside off, Haris Rauf looks to slog but misses out and the ball has been collected cleanly by the keeper. 5 needed from 1 now.
Haris Rauf is the last man in.
19.4
W
OUT! Another twist in the tale. Iftikhar Ahmed walks back after a gem of an inning. Fuller one in middle, Iftikhar Ahmed looks to finish off in style but the blade in his hand just tilts a bit and Daryl Mitchell collects a massive catch down at long on. Pakistan need 5 from 2 now.
19.3
4
FOUR! Full and wide outside off, Iftikhar Ahmed plays this to its merit as he drives this past extra-cover for a boundary. Pakistan is just one hit away now. 5 needed of 3.
19.2
.
Fuller one wide of off, Iftikhar Ahmed looks to slog again but loses his body shape and fails to get any bat behind this. 9 needed of 4 now.
19.1
6
SIX! Iftikhar Ahmed you beauty. One heck of a unit he is. Fuller one from around the wicket angling away from off, Iftikhar Ahmed shimmies to his off and flicks this way over the fence on the mid-wicket region for a gigantic maximum.
In over# 19
0
0
0
0W
6
1wd
1
Matt Henry 27/1(4)
18.6
.
Back of a length on off, Naseem Shah looks to slog but fails yet again o connect and Pakistan needs 15 from the last over.
18.5
.
Back of a length outside off, Naseem Shah looks to go big but fails to get any bat on this.
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