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This was a much closer contest than what anything Pakistan had experienced against Australia in the previous series. New Zealand's bowlers were much more effective and Colin Munro nearly took the game away from them single-handedly. But as it happened in the previous series, the bowlers pulled out the side with crucial wickets in crunch situations, which has eventually led to the hosts winning the first T20I by 2 runs.
Kudos to Shaheen Shah Afridi! Brilliant stuff from him #PakvNZ
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) October 31, 2018
Pakistan Win! Sensational over from Shaheen Shah Afridi. He only erred in the second ball of the final over, getting it full on the legs which was tucked away for four. He was under pressure on the final ball as well, defending seven runs from the final ball. But the 18-year-old produced a low full toss on the final ball, which Taylor only managed to get a boundary.
Number five down! Corey Anderson didn't look comfortable at the wicket and his struggling innings comes to an end. Full from Hasan Ali but the all-rounder is able to get under the ball. It takes the toe end of the bat and a simple catch is taken by Shoaib Malik at long on. He doesn't miss much.
Interesting, Hasan Ali is into the attack, and he looks alright. He was feeling his hamstring in the previous over but no issues with his run-up so far. Taylor is certainly looking to get the big shots going, to no avail so far. Despite no boundary coming from the over, New Zealand have managed to pick up at nine runs. Not what is needed, but just enough to keep them in the hunt.
100 up for New Zealand! Corey Anderson, as expected, is taking time to settle in. Ross Taylor at the other end is not any better. Both batsmen need to kick on if New Zealand have to reach this target. Meanwhile, Hasan Ali is having a niggle. He went down to pick up the ball but seems to have stretched - a tight hamstring most probably.
The fielding in this match has been exceptional from both sides. According to our fielding impact metric, today's match is the fifth best collective fielding performance in our database. New Zealand have featured in three of the top five matches. #PakvNZ pic.twitter.com/rBoBzYmz1g
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) October 31, 2018
Corey Anderson is now at the crease. The last time the all-rounder featured in international cricket was back in 2017 in the Champions Trophy in England. He will be a bit rusty, but has featured in a few games in the England domestic season and did captain the A side against Pakistan A in the warm-up limited overs series in UAE before the first T20I.
Run out! Exactly what Pakistan wanted. The choke of the run-flow has brought about misjudgment in running between the wickets and Colin de Grandhomme is the victim of that mix-up. Brilliant effort from Shadab Khan. Quick to the ball, efficient pick-up and a well-aimed throw. New Zealand are now in a spot of bother.
One brings two! Munro's departure was much needed but Pakistan will be delighted with the wicket of Kame Williamson. The Kiwi skipper tried to work the ball towards the leg side but only managed to find the leading edge and a simple catch for Imad Wasim. And there he goes with the trademark Ronaldo celebration!
Fifty for Munro! Gets their with a couple of runs towards point. The left-hander started on a blistering fashion but have slowed down a bit. He still hasn't thrown away his wicket and that's the key. If New Zealand want to chase this total down, he will have to bat at least till the 16-17 overs.
Imad Wasim was phenomenal in the first two T20Is against Australia. He is not someone who turns the ball but instead gets the ball to come back in with the angle. New Zealand will look to play him with the straight bat. Imad delivers a good first over and almost trapped Phillips right in front of the stumps.
Pakistan lost their openers quite early before Asif Ali (24) and Mohammad Hafeez (45) brought them back on track with a 67-run stand. New Zealand then kept chipping away with wickets but 34 from Sarfraz Ahmed and little cameos from Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim led Pakistan to 148 for 6. New Zealand bowlers did a decent job and they were amazing on the field. However, Pakistan have got to that total that Australia failed to breach in all the three T20Is. Can New Zealand do it? We will have to wait and see...
How good New Zealand have been on the field? Faheem Ashraf played this one towards long on with soft hands and Malik thought there was easy two there. Anderson, however, got quickly towards the ball and got the direct hit at striker's end. This is terrific from Blackcaps! Pakistan 123 - 6 in 18 overs.
| Rank | Team | Points | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 4397 | 116 |
| 2 | South Africa | 3712 | 106 |
| 3 | England | 4722 | 105 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 2354 | 102 |
| 5 | Australia | 3663 | 102 |
| FULL Ranking | |||
