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CryptoPAK beat NZ by 18 runs | Pakistan vs New Zealand, Highlights And Cricket Score 3rd T20I Match - Commentary
Pakistan in New Zealand, 3 T20I Series, 2018
Date: Jan 28, 2018 Start Time: 11:30 IST | 06:00 GMT | 19:00 LocalVenue: Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
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Pakistan vs New Zealand Highlights And Cricket Score 3rd Match - T20I Commentary
A forgetful outing for the Kiwis. Really unexplainable with the ball. Only Mitchell Santner staved off some respect with 2/24 in 4 overs. Perhaps the batsmen would love to make amends for the dropped catches by chasing this total down. Stay tuned for the run chase...
Even though the Black Caps had picked only 4 wickets by the 16th over, they had the run rate under control. However, cameos from Sohail and Amin and also some not-so-mentionable fielding from the hosts enabled Pakistan to score 58 runs in the last 4 overs. That is a really good total.
Like the previous game, Pakistan openers got off to a decent start but then the Kiwis started to apply the brakes. The visitors started to lose their way a bit but then, all of a sudden, it seemed like Pakistan were fielding for New Zealand. Catches started to get spilled and the fielding became ordinary. It almost looked like an epidemic was spreading because that affected the bowling.
Massive score put on the board by Pakistan. 182 is never a small target to chase, however small the ground be and however the placid the track might be. This will take some chasing. Pakistan batted brilliantly but have to say, New Zealand were very ordinary tonight.
Tim Southee to Aamer Yamin. SIX! Apply more salt now! That dropped catch has cost New Zealand 10 runs! And those could be huge in a T20 game. A length ball on middle, Yamin swings it miles into orbit over long on! 16 from the over, 58 off the last 4!
Tim Southee to Aamer Yamin. DROPPED, FOUR! Oh dear... poor stuff from Tom Bruce. Not his best evening on the field. A full ball on the pads, Yamin flicks it aerially and straight to Tom Bruce at deep mid-wicket. It is a pretty simple catching chance but Bruce messes it up. He puts the catch down and while trying to recover, flicks the ball with his body in contact with the ropes. That is called injuring oneself and then applying salt on the wound.
Tim Southee to Aamer Yamin. Comes around the wicket and bowls a full toss on the pads, whipped wide of long on for a couple.
Tim Southee to Aamer Yamin. Excellent fielding from Guptill. Yamin swings this down to long on and nearly finds the fence but Martin Guptill races across to his left and stops the ball, just inside the ropes. Two runs taken.
Tim Southee to Haris Sohail. Wide full toss, Sohail slaps it to cover for a run.
Tim Southee to Aamer Yamin. Yorker outside leg, Yamin misses his flick and the batsmen take a single off the deflection from the pads. A leg bye signalled.
Tim Southee to bowl the final over. Can Pakistan cross 175?
Trent Boult to Haris Sohail. Follows the batsman down the leg side, Sohail can only get it to short mid-wicket.
Trent Boult to Aamer Yamin. Full and outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.
Aamer Yamin is the new man in.
Trent Boult to Faheem Ashraf. OUT! BOULTTTTTTTTTT! What a riposte. Almost a yorker, on middle, pretty full, if not a yorker, Ashraf swings wildly but misses. The off stump goes for a walk.
Trent Boult to Faheem Ashraf. A full toss down the leg side, Faheem tickles it towards fine leg. The ball races away but Martin Guptill hares across to his left and slides to stop the ball. Keeps the batsmen to a couple.
Trent Boult to Faheem Ashraf. FOUR! Finds the gap this time. A short ball, on middle, Ashraf pulls it through square leg and bisects deep backward square leg and deep mid-wicket to perfection!
Trent Boult to Faheem Ashraf. A short ball, on middle, pulled through mid-wicket for a couple.
Faheem Ashraf is the new man in.
Ish Sodhi to Umar Amin. OUT! A wicket to end the over and spell. Amin comes down the track once more and this time Sodhi tosses the googly pretty wide outside off, Amin still goes through for the slog but ends up dragging it to widish long on. Simple catch to Colin de Grandhomme.
Ish Sodhi to Umar Amin. SIX MORE! Beautiful shot. Simple as you like. Full on middle, Umar waltzes out again and flicks it over mid-wicket! What is next?
Ish Sodhi to Umar Amin. SIX! 150 COMES UP! Full and outside off, Amin dances out again and lofts it over long off!
Ish Sodhi to Umar Amin. DROPPED! Poor effort. A short ball, the googly, Amin looks to pull again but miscues it towards long on. Colin de Grandhomme comes running in and gets to the ball but while sliding the ball pops out. Two runs taken.
Ish Sodhi to Umar Amin. SIX! HUMONGOUS! A short ball on middle, Amin rocks back and pulls it miles over square leg!
Ish Sodhi to Haris Sohail. Tossed up slowly outside off, Sohail comes down the track but is not to the pitch of the ball. Swings hard but gets a thick outside edge to short third man. A single taken.
Ish Sodhi to bowl out.
Trent Boult to Haris Sohail. Down the leg side, helped through backward square leg where Martin Guptill gets across from fine leg with a slide. Just a single. 12 from the over.
Trent Boult to Haris Sohail. FOUR! Another slower ball goes wrong. It is on a length outside off and Sohail calmly moves back and lofts it over mid off for a boundary.
Trent Boult to Haris Sohail. WIDE. That slipped out of the hands, a full toss way outside leg, Haris misses out on the pull. But Tom Blundell dives full length to his right to prevent a boundary. Superb keeping.
Trent Boult to Haris Sohail. DROPPED! Oh dear... a short ball outside off, Sohail pulls it away but straight to Ish Sodhi at mid-wicket. The fielder gets to the ball but puts it down. Straightforward.
Trent Boult to Umar Amin. Outside off, tapped towards point for a run.
Trent Boult to Haris Sohail. Down the leg side, tucked towards fine leg for a single.
Trent Boult to Haris Sohail. FOUR! Slower ball goes awry, short and wide outside off, perhaps too slow, because Sohail is already through his shot but still has time to adjust. He then slaps it over cover for a boundary.
Trent Boult to bowl the 17th now. He has 2 overs left.
Mitchell Santner to Umar Amin. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
Umar Amin is the next man in.
Mitchell Santner to Sarfraz Ahmed. OUT! London looking, Tokyo turning. Full and outside off, Sarfraz comes down the track and swings hard but is nowhere near the pitch of the ball. Gets a thick outside edge which lands in the lap of Ish Sodhi at short third man.
Mitchell Santner to Sarfraz Ahmed. Played to the point region by the batsman.
Mitchell Santner to Sarfraz Ahmed. Down the leg side, Sarfraz looks to flick but misses.
Mitchell Santner to Haris Sohail. Comes down the track and slaps it to sweeper cover for a single.
Mitchell Santner to Sarfraz Ahmed. Outside off, steered through point for a single.
Colin de Grandhomme to Haris Sohail. FOUR! Banged in short, Sohail pulls it to the mid-wicket fence.
Colin de Grandhomme to Haris Sohail. On middle and leg, worked through mid-wicket for a couple.
Colin de Grandhomme to Sarfraz Ahmed. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single.
Colin de Grandhomme to Sarfraz Ahmed. FOUR! Full and outside off, Ahmed slashes hard but gets a thick outside edge to the third man fence.
Colin de Grandhomme to Sarfraz Ahmed. WIDE. A short ball, Sarfraz sways away. Height is the issue.
Colin de Grandhomme to Haris Sohail. Full and outside off, driven through the covers for a single.
Colin de Grandhomme to Sarfraz Ahmed. A short ball, pulled away for a single.
Colin de Grandhomme is back on. He will bowl out.
Mitchell Santner to Sarfraz Ahmed. The batsman drives this through the covers. One run added to the total.
Haris Sohail walks in at number 5, replacing Zaman.
Mitchell Santner to Fakhar Zaman. OUT! The catch is legal and Zaman will not get a half century! Full and outside off, Zaman comes down the track and looks to go over the top. Hits it pretty cleanly as well but Tom Bruce covers great ground to his left from sweeper cover, gets to the ball, takes the catch and claims it. Now, Zaman is not going anywhere. He does not reckon that is out and the two umpires have a chat. They refer it upstairs and the soft signal is OUT. The third umpire takes plenty of replays to decide and eventually feels he is not sure. So he gives it out just because the soft signal is out. Zaman will feel hard done by. Scott Styris on air feels that the ICC needs to have a look at such scenarios. Every time the soft signal need not be correct. Also, if one is not sure, it is better to give the benefit of doubt to the batsman.
Is that taken? Tom Bruce seems to have taken a stunner but the third umpire wants to check whether the catch is legal.
Mitchell Santner to Sarfraz Ahmed. A touch short around off, pulled towards long on for a run.
Mitchell Santner to Fakhar Zaman. Full and outside off, this time Fakhar connects after coming down the track. Hits it to long on for a single.
Mitchell Santner to Fakhar Zaman. Comes down the track and Santner fires it wide. Zaman somehow dabs it to cover.
Mitchell Santner to Sarfraz Ahmed. Full and outside off, Sarfraz gets across and paddles it high in the air. Tom Bruce gets across from deep mid-wicket and dives to stop the ball. But he slips and fumbles. Three runs taken due to the folly.
Tim Southee to Sarfraz Ahmed. The batsman plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. One run added to the total.
Tim Southee to Sarfraz Ahmed. Cheeky! Landed outside off, Sarfraz waits for the ball to come to him and guides it deftly past the diving keeper to third man! 100 UP FOR PAKISTAN! Can they get to 170?
Tim Southee to Fakhar Zaman. A short ball, Fakhar swings hard but his bottom hand comes off the bat and he miscues it to deep mid-wicket. Just a single.
Tim Southee to Fakhar Zaman. A bouncer now, Zaman ducks.
Tim Southee to Fakhar Zaman. Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.
Tim Southee to Fakhar Zaman. OVERTHROW. Full and outside off, Zaman crashes it straight to Colin de Grandhomme at cover and takes off for a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Zaman was well in. But Southee cannot back it up and neither can the man running to his right from mid-wicket. Sarfraz calls, 'AAJA! AAJA! AAJA!' and the batsmen take a couple.
Tim Southee is back on.
Mitchell Santner to Sarfraz Ahmed. FOUR! Sarfraz on the attack. Full and outside off, this time Sarfraz does not back away but lofts it through the line, over cover for a boundary! 11 from the over.
Mitchell Santner to Sarfraz Ahmed. Full on middle, Sarfraz sweeps it straight to short fine leg.
Mitchell Santner to Sarfraz Ahmed. FOUR! What a shot. Goes to the leg side and lofts it over covers for a boundary.
Mitchell Santner to Fakhar Zaman. Now the reverse sweep comes out and the batsmen get one more run.
Mitchell Santner to Sarfraz Ahmed. The batsman plays a sweep shot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Mitchell Santner to Fakhar Zaman. Backs away to the leg side and punches this down to long on for a single.
Mitchell Santner is back on.
Ish Sodhi to Sarfraz Ahmed. Outside off, Ahmed looks to cut but misses.
Ish Sodhi to Fakhar Zaman. Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Ish Sodhi to Fakhar Zaman. FOUR! SLAM! Save yourself. Go for the catch or injure yourself. Full on middle, Zaman comes down the track and blasts it straight back to Sodhi who starts to put out his hand for the catch but thinks better of it by bailing out.
Ish Sodhi to Sarfraz Ahmed. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
Ish Sodhi to Fakhar Zaman. Full and outside off, swept powerfully to square leg for a single.
Ish Sodhi to Sarfraz Ahmed. Ohh dear... schoolboy stuff. Landed outside off, Sarfraz cuts it towards backward point. Kane Williamson gets around but then fumbles as he slides. The ball goes through. There is short third man but he has already overrun Williamson, hence he has to turn around and run after the ball. Three runs taken.
Colin de Grandhomme to Fakhar Zaman. FOUR! Dances down the track, takes it on the full and bashes it through extra cover to find the fence.
Colin de Grandhomme to Fakhar Zaman. NOT OUT! Good length delivery on middle and leg, Fakhar misses and gets hit on the pads. He comes down in search of a single but the bowler is quick to the ball and kicks the ball onto the stumps at the striker's end as the batsman plonks his bat in. They refer it upstairs. Replays show FZ is comfortably home.
Colin de Grandhomme to Sarfraz Ahmed. Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Colin de Grandhomme to Sarfraz Ahmed. Angles it in from a length outside off, Sarfraz waits for the ball to turn it away on the leg side but gets a leading edge. Luckily, it falls down safely in the cover region.
What happened there? There is a run out appeal against Zaman as the bowler kicks the ball onto the stumps. Looks in though.
Colin de Grandhomme to Fakhar Zaman. Steers it down to third man for a single.
Colin de Grandhomme to Fakhar Zaman. On a length and just outside off, defended off the back foot.
Sarfraz Ahmed is the next man in. Also, Colin de Grandhomme is back into the attack as well.
Ish Sodhi to Babar Azam. OUT! Straight to the fielder! A soft dismissal but Sodhi is really delighted! He drops it short, it turns away a touch, Azam camps back to cut. Hits it well but it travels straight into the bucket-like hands of Williamson at cover-point. Azam shakes his head as he walks back.
Ish Sodhi to Babar Azam. Short and outside off, slapped behind point for a double.
Ish Sodhi to Fakhar Zaman. Shimmies down the track a bit and eases it down to long on for one.
Ish Sodhi to Fakhar Zaman. FOUR! Whipped! Tosses it it on the stumps, it's really full. Zaman clears the front leg and whip/lifts it straight back down the ground for a biggie all the way.
Ish Sodhi to Babar Azam. What was that? A bouncer by the spinner? Short ball on middle, Fakhar isn't expecting this. He mistimes the pull to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Ish Sodhi to Fakhar Zaman. The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.
Mitchell Santner to Babar Azam. Slows it through the air, around off, pushed off the back foot towards point.
Mitchell Santner to Babar Azam. The batsman has punched the ball off the bac kfoot.
Mitchell Santner to Babar Azam. Comes down the track and flicks it towards deep mid-wicket. Calls for two and gets it comfortably. A better throw from the deep could have made things interesting.
Mitchell Santner to Fakhar Zaman. Flatter and shorter in length, cut to deep point for a single.
Mitchell Santner to Babar Azam. Tossed up outside off, ease down to long off for one.
Mitchell Santner to Fakhar Zaman. Skids off the deck, tucked into the leg side for a single.
Ish Sodhi to Fakhar Zaman. Driven through cover for a single.
Mitchell Santner to roll his arm over.
Ish Sodhi to Fakhar Zaman. Bowls a googly, it turns away a touch, Fakhar gets down to slog sweep but the ball turns away past the outside edge.
Ish Sodhi to Fakhar Zaman. Flatter outside off, cut towards the point fielder.
Ish Sodhi to Babar Azam. The batsman drives this through the covers. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Ish Sodhi to Babar Azam. Caught off a Free Hit! Floats it up around middle and off, Azam dances down the track and lofts it towards long off where he gets caught. However, a brace added to the total.
Ish Sodhi to Fakhar Zaman. No ball called for overstepping! But to be honest it wasn't a no ball as the heel was behind the line. Tough luck! Around middle and leg, flicked through square leg for one. Free Hit coming up!
Ish Sodhi to Babar Azam. Starts off with a halftracker, pulled through mid-wicket for a single.
Ish Sodhi is brought on to bowl.
Colin de Grandhomme to Fakhar Zaman. Stands tall and looks to cut but finds the man at cover-point. 11 off the last over of the Powerplay!
Colin de Grandhomme to Fakhar Zaman. SIX! That's gone all the way! Goodness me! What a shot! De Grandhomme drags it short on middle, Fakhar Zaman swivels and pulls it powerfully over mid-wicket. It went flat. The umpire check if it bounced or not. Replays show it hit the advertising cushion on the full. A biggie for Zaman.
The keeper is up to the stumps.
Colin de Grandhomme to Babar Azam. The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. They pick up a single.
Colin de Grandhomme to Babar Azam. FOUR! Slashed! Shortish and outside off, Babar pounces on it in a flash. Stands tall and cracks it through cover-point to find the fence.
Colin de Grandhomme to Babar Azam. On a length and angling in again, clipped straight towards short mid-wicket.
Colin de Grandhomme to Babar Azam. Good length delivery, angling in on the pads.
Trent Boult to Fakhar Zaman. The batsman goes for the pull but misses it completely.
Trent Boult to Babar Azam. Touch shorter in length, it's pulled firmly but it goes on the bounce to the deep mid-wicket fielder. Only a single taken.
Trent Boult to Babar Azam. The batsman drives this through the covers.
Trent Boult to Babar Azam. Gets a length delivery, Azam makes room and carves it over backward point to get off the mark with a brace.
Trent Boult to Fakhar Zaman. Shuffles a touch and works it through mid-wicket for one.
Trent Boult to Fakhar Zaman. Comes forward a touch and pushes it into the cover region.
Colin de Grandhomme to Ahmed Shehzad. OUT! Off the gloves! Excellent review from New Zealand or should I say from Blundell? It was the Kiwi keeper who was really confident. Coming to the ball, De Grandhomme, angles it in on middle and leg, Ahmed Shehzad gets across to play the paddle scoop but it goes off something to the keeper who starts to appeal. The umpire shakes his head. Tom, then convinces his skipper to take the review. Snickmeter shows a clear spike as the ball passes the gloves. That's it, the on-field decision has to be overturned. Excellent awareness from Blundell.
Babar Azam is the new man in. He has been in good touch in the series.
Is that the first wicket? Shehzad tries to be cheeky and looks to play the paddle scoop. It goes off something to Blundell and he reckons it's gloves. The umpire, however, shakes his head. Looks out!
Colin de Grandhomme to Ahmed Shehzad. Ahmed comes down the track to pull but Colin drops it short. The batsman could just tuck it away towards mid-wicket.
Colin de Grandhomme to Ahmed Shehzad. Back of a length delivery on middle and off, punched off the back foot towards the cover fielder.
Colin de Grandhomme to Fakhar Zaman. Fakhar comes down the track to go big but ekes out an inside edge on the pads. The ball rolls towards the square leg region and they run one.
Colin de Grandhomme to Fakhar Zaman. FOUR! Thrashed! Ahead of a length and slanting away outside off, Zaman clears the front leg and drills it through extra cover. No need to run for those.
Colin de Grandhomme to Fakhar Zaman. Starts off with a back of a length ball, angling away from the southpaw, pushed with an angled blade to point.
Tim Southee to Ahmed Shehzad. FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Pakistan are off to a flier again! Tim serves a length delivery, with too much of width on offer. Shehzad stays leg side of the ball and flays it square of the wicket on the off side to end the over with a boundary. 10 off the over!
Colin de Grandhomme is brought into the attack.
Tim Southee to Ahmed Shehzad. FOUR! Delightful! Slightly overpitched on the stumps, Shehzad drives it on the up. Once again makes lovely connection to leave the man at mid on stranded.
Tim Southee to Ahmed Shehzad. Short ball on middle, pulled along the ground through mid-wicket. Kitchen gives a long chase and does well to keep them down to a couple of runs.
Tim Southee to Ahmed Shehzad. Angling in from a length outside off, Shehzad swivels to pull but the length isn't an ideal one to get going with the shot. The ball sneaks under his bat and goes into the keeper's gloves.
Tim Southee to Ahmed Shehzad. Almost chops it on! Southee once again hits the deck hard, but doesn't offer much of a width. AS looks to run it down to third man but gets a bottom edge which bounce over the stumps and goes on the bounce to the keeper.
Tim Southee to Ahmed Shehzad. Short of a length delivery outside off, Ahmed stays back, rides the bounce to punch it straight to the extra cover fielder.
Trent Boult to Ahmed Shehzad. Very full on the stumps, Shehzad brings his bat down and jams it down to mid off. Williamson gives it a chase but some good running between the wickets allows the batsmen to take three.
Trent Boult to Ahmed Shehzad. Shehzad taps this length ball in front of point. Wants a single but won't get it.
Trent Boult to Ahmed Shehzad. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Trent Boult to Ahmed Shehzad. Ahead of a length and hurled outside off, punched off the back foot.
Trent Boult to Fakhar Zaman. Flicks it away with the angle through square leg for a single.
Trent Boult to Fakhar Zaman. FOUR! Sweet! Zaman is off the mark in style! Boult comes in from over the wicket and overpitches it on the stumps, Zaman leans forward and presents a straight bat. Makes good connection off the sweet spot of the bat and picks up a boundary down the ground.
Trent Boult will bowl from the other end.
Tim Southee to Ahmed Shehzad. Sits back to a back of a length delivery and punches it to mid off. A good first over for the Men in Green!
Tim Southee to Ahmed Shehzad. On a length and in the channel on off, little bit of movement away as Ahmed doesn't play at it.
Tim Southee to Ahmed Shehzad. FOUR! Pulled along the ground! Southee drops it a touch short, it comes up at a good height. Ahmed swivels a bit and pulls it in front of square on the leg side. Races away to the fence. First boundary of the day.
Tim Southee to Ahmed Shehzad. Leading edge... just over the point fielder. Southee hurls it on a length around middle, gets it to swing away a touch, Shehzad looks to turn it away on the leg side but gets a leading edge which balloons over the point fielder. A couple more added to the total.
Tim Southee to Ahmed Shehzad. On a good length and moving away, Ahmed stays behind the line to keep it out.
Tim Southee to Fakhar Zaman. Pakistan are underway! Length delivery, swinging back in on the pads, Zaman tries to clip it away but it brushes his pads and rolls towards short fine leg. They take a leg bye.
We are all set to get underway. The players and umpires have made their way out to the middle. The Pakistan openers are Fakhar Zaman and Ahmed Shehzad. These two provided a blazing start in the previous game. Will it be the same? Let's wait and find out. Here comes Tim Southee steaming in.
TEAM CHANGES - Pakistan have one forced change. Hasan Ali will miss out due to an ankle injury and AAMER YAMIN comes in place of him. New Zealand have made three changes due to rotation policy. ROSS TAYLOR, TOM BLUNDELL and TIM SOUTHEE come in for Colin Munro, Glenn Phillips and Seth Rance.
TOSS - Pakistan win the toss and opt to bat.
New Zealand, however would look to put that performance behind and consider it as just a bad day at the office. They have been really professional and given Pakistan a serious drubbing throughout the course of this tour. It will be interesting to see that the mini blip in the previous game would hamper their chances to clinch the series today or not. Will Pakistan spring in another surprise? We welcome you to the third and final T20I which is all set to take place in Mount Maunganui. Stick around as the toss and teams will be coming up in a bit.
Pakistan have finally arrived on what has been a dismal tour for them. They outplayed the Kiwis in all departments in the second T20I to make this third game the all-important decider. Their batting clicked as a unit while their bowlers came out all guns blazing to push the hosts in a corner.
So, Pakistan have become the no. 1 side in the T20Is. They suffered a 5-0 whitewash in ODIs, they were 1-0 down in the T20I series and have comeback in an emphatic manner to seal the series. They can now concentrate on the domestic T20 league while the Kiwis will now play a tri-series including Australia and England. Before we leave, you can catch some action from the on-going Australia vs England, 5th ODI where the Aussies are cruising along. Until then, goodbye and cheers!
Winning captain, Sarfraz Ahmed thanks the Almighty. Credits his bowlers and states it's because of them they have won the series. Is proud of the boys for being 0-6 down and then coming back and winning the series. Feels it was an all-round display from them today and is happy to be on the right side of the result. Opines if you have wickets in hand, the lower-order can capitalize and that is what they did today. Signs off by thanking the crowd for their support.
Kiwi skipper, Kane Williamson starts by crediting Pakistan. Admits they weren't good with the ball nor with the bat and rues their fielding big time. Feels the score wasn't that big to chase down but praises opposition's bowling to not let them off the hook. Lauds Taylor and Bruce for revoking the hopes by some massive hits but once again emphasizes on the fielding as it plays an important role. Ends by saying they need to sort their issues as they can't afford to blip with the tri-series coming up against Australia and England.
Man of the Series, Mohammad Amir is happy with his performance. Is disappointed to lose the ODI series but is happy to come back and win the T20Is. Reckons, variations play a very important role in T20s and he just keeps working on it. Ends by saying they are happy to become the no. 1 team.
Man of the Match, Shadab Khan thanks the Almighty and then his parents for pushing and praying for him. Says he loves playing there and that he carried his form from the Australian domestic T20.
Chasing 182 was never going to be easy and New Zealand needed a flier to be in the chase. The Pakistan bowlers were right on the money to not let the Kiwi openers settle in. Martin Guptill alone batted is way to a half century but the 13th over from Shadab Khan dented all the hopes that the hosts had. However, Ross Taylor then walked in and swung around to revoke the hopes but a good review from Amir ended his stay. Amir and Raees then displayed classic death bowling and ran away with the game.
What a win for Pakistan! Thoroughly deserving! They have once again outclassed and outplayed the Kiwis to come out on top. Wonder where was this intensity when the tour began? Anyway, it's past now and today is something they would cherish as they end the tour on the right note. Summary - they won the toss and opted to bat. Once again their batting clicked (something that was lacking throughout) as a unit as they amassed a huge score on the board, courtesy some shoddy fielding from the home side.
Faheem Ashraf to Mitchell Santner. PAKISTAN SEAL THE T20I SERIES! They beat the Kiwis by 18 runs! Ashraf bowls a yorker on the stumps, Santner jams it out back down the track and it hits the stumps at the other end.
Faheem Ashraf to Mitchell Santner. FOUR! Edged! Slower delivery outside off, Santner goes hard at it. Gets a thick edge and it flies over short third man for a boundary.
Faheem Ashraf to Mitchell Santner. SIX! What a hit! Makes room to a length ball and slams it a long way over long on for a maximum. Sarfraz is angry on his bowler. He wants him to hit the yorker length but it's nowhere near to it.
Faheem Ashraf to Mitchell Santner. Yorker length, perfect from Faheem. Santner fails to put bat on ball.
Faheem Ashraf to Mitchell Santner. Dropped! Back of a length delivery on middle, Santner hits it hard towards long on. Fakhar Zaman comes across to his left, puts in a dive but fails to hold on to the catch. Two taken.
Faheem Ashraf to Mitchell Santner. Makes room and pulls it towards wide long on for a couple of runs.
Faheem Ashraf to Tom Blundell. Caught but it's a no ball! A waist height full toss, Blundell swings at it. Rumman Raees at deep square leg takes it and then realizes it is a no ball. They take one. Free Hit! Do New Zealand still have a chance?
35 required off the final over. NZ need 6 maximums...
Mohammad Amir to Mitchell Santner. Beaten again! Rolls his finger over the ball, Santner gets deceived by it. Swings and gets beaten. The Pakistan skipper is really pumped up as if this was the last over of the game.
Mohammad Amir to Tom Blundell. Slower delivery, cleverly bowled, pushed towards cover for a single.
Mohammad Amir to Tom Blundell. The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball but fails.
Mohammad Amir to Tom Blundell. Wide! Gets across to play the paddle but misses it. The umpire, strangely calls it a wide and Amir isn't amused.
Mohammad Amir to Tom Blundell. Wide yorker, Blundell makes room to carve this one but gets beaten.
Mohammad Amir to Mitchell Santner. Shorter in length, MS pulls it down to long on for one.
Mohammad Amir to Mitchell Santner. FOUR! Up and over! Fuller in length and just outside off, Santner makes room and lofts it cleanly down the ground for a one-bounce boundary.
Rumman Raees to Mitchell Santner. Flicked away to the leg side for a single.
Rumman Raees to Mitchell Santner. Wide! Unusual bounce. Too high to worry the batsman! The umpire has signalled a wide.
Rumman Raees to Mitchell Santner. FOUR! Whipped! Clears the front leg and whips this inswinging yorker over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Rumman Raees to Mitchell Santner. NOT OUT! Nothing on Snicko! Very full, almost a yorker, Santner tries to dig it out but seems to have missed it. The ball goes to the keeper who starts to appeal and is the only one doing so. He has a chat with his bowler and then decides to use the review. Replays roll in, there was no spike as the ball passed the bat.
Another review for a caught behind. Raees didn't look that confident but his skipper feels that he heard something.
Mitchell Santner is in next.
Rumman Raees to Tom Bruce. OUT! Bowled off a full toss! Rumman Raees stands and admires what just happened before his mates come barging towards him. On the stumps, Tom Bruce comes down the track and swings wildly at it. Misses and hears the death rattle. Pakistan are running away with this one.
Rumman Raees to Tom Bruce. FOUR! Cheeky and effective! Gets across a touch to a length ball and paddles it over the head of the keeper for a much-needed boundary. The equation comes down under fifty now.
Rumman Raees to Tom Bruce. Deadly yorker! Right into the blockhole, Tom Bruce could do nothing. He digs it out back to Raees who leaps and collects it with his left hand in the followthrough.
Mohammad Amir to Tom Bruce. Chips it in the air over mid-wicket for a single to end the over. What an over, certainly a game-changing one. Just 3 and a big wicket off it. 52 needed from 18 now.
Mohammad Amir to Tom Bruce. Very full, it's almost a yorker, Bruce makes room to jam it out but fails to put bat on ball.
Mohammad Amir to Tom Blundell. Fuller on middle and leg, flicked down to fine leg for one.
Tom Blundell is the new man in.
Mohammad Amir to Ross Taylor. OUT! Ross Taylor has edged this! Amir was confident that there was an edge and he convinced his skipper to opt for one. A vital breakthrough for Pakistan. Is that the game? Ross shuffles inside the crease but Amir keeps his calm and fires it on leg. Taylor looks to jam it out but it goes through his legs to the keeper. But Ahmed didn't hear anything. He collects the ball and then underarms the throw at the striker's end but misses and it hits the other end instead. Amir is busy appealing but poor bowler. The umpire doesn't pay any heed and plus his captain is angry on him as to why isn't he backing up. He then says he has heard a noise and asks to take the DRS. Snicko rolls in and it spots an edge as the ball passes the bat. Taylor is shocked but has to walk back.
Out or not out? Pakistan have taken the review against Taylor for caught behind.
Mohammad Amir to Ross Taylor. Good ball! Fires in a yorker, Taylor jams it out back to Amir.
Mohammad Amir to Tom Bruce. Attacks the stumps, keeps it full and wide, Tom Bruce makes room and jams it out towards cover for one.
Mohammad Amir is back into the attack. 55 needed from 24 balls.
Rumman Raees to Ross Taylor. A full toss, it dips in, Taylor is early into the swing. Mistimes it horribly towards long on and luckily for him it lands safely before the fielder there. Two added to the total. 17 off this, a huge one.
Rumman Raees to Tom Bruce. Very full on leg, flicked through backward square leg for a single. Last ball, 15 already from the over.
Rumman Raees to Tom Bruce. SIX! Murders the slower delivery does Bruce! He reds it, makes room and towers it high and handsome over the deep mid-wicket fence.
Rumman Raees to Ross Taylor. Misses out on a full toss, Taylor could only heave it off the inner half to mid-wicket. A single.
Rumman Raees to Ross Taylor. SIX! What was that? Just a gentle flick and it goes a long way! Raees hurls a length delivery on middle and off, Ross comes down the track and drops kicks it off the pads. Gets a maximum to his name, his third in the innings.
Rumman Raees to Tom Bruce. Bruce makes room, Raees follows him with a full ball, jammed down to long on for a single.
Rumman Raees is back on. NZ need 72 from the last 5 overs.
Faheem Ashraf to Ross Taylor. In the air... safe! Good length delivery, outside off, Taylor swings hard at it. The ball goes off the top edge towards third man where Raees comes sprinting in, puts in a dive forward but the ball just dips in front of him. He collects it on the bounce and by the time he returns a throw, they take a brace.
Faheem Ashraf to Tom Bruce. Backs away and slashes it through cover for a single.
Faheem Ashraf to Ross Taylor. On a length and just outside off, Taylor ekes out a thick edge down to third man for a single.
Faheem Ashraf to Ross Taylor. SIX! Second biggie of the over! Meaty blow! Taylor was expecting this length. He gets across a long away and smacks it with a powerful slog. Sends soaring over the deep mid-wicket fence for a maximum.
Faheem Ashraf to Ross Taylor. Beaten! On a length and angles it in on middle and leg, Ross swings at it but misses it.
Faheem Ashraf to Ross Taylor. SIX! Boom goes Ross! Gets a length ball, shimmies down a touch and pummels it over the deep mid-wicket fence for half a dozen.
Faheem Ashraf is brought back into the attack.
Aamer Yamin to Tom Bruce. FOUR! Easily done! Short ball, angling down leg, Bruce just helps it on its away down to fine leg to end the over with a boundary. Last two overs, Pakistan have picked up three wickets for 10 runs.
Aamer Yamin to Tom Bruce. Length delivery on middle, defended off the back foot.
Aamer Yamin to Ross Taylor. Fuller in length and on the stumps, eased down to long on for one.
Ross Taylor is next. New Zealand need 93 in 39 balls. How good it would have been for them had the figures been reversed?
Aamer Yamin to Colin de Grandhomme. OUT! Bowled 'em! The Kiwis are falling like a pack of cards. Yamin comes in from over the wicket and bowls it with a cross-seam. It hits the deck and skids off. Colin de Grandhomme looks to pull it away but the ball sneaks under his bat to hit the off stump.
Aamer Yamin to Tom Bruce. Back of a length delivery outside off, tapped in front of point. Shadab scores a direct hit at the bowler's end but the batsman was easily in.
Aamer Yamin to Colin de Grandhomme. Fuller in length and outside off, driven through cover to get off the mark.
Colin de Grandhomme is the new man in. Also, Aamer Yamin comes back on.
Shadab Khan to Martin Guptill. OUT! Shadab gets the big fish! And that too on the last ball of his spell. He has drawn the advantage home probably. Sarfraz Ahmed is all pumped up. He knows the importance of this wicket. Shadab slows it through the air, tosses it up outside off, Guptill gets down on one knee to play the slog sweep but it turns away. The ball goes off the top edge and it's a simple catch to Fakhar Zaman at deep mid-wicket. Martin is fuming as he walks back in disappointment. Superb spell from the leggie. His figures are 4-0-19-2!
Shadab Khan to Tom Bruce. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Shadab Khan to Martin Guptill. Quicker again, Guptill goes back to cut but chops it in the same region for one.
Shadab Khan to Tom Bruce. Quicker and flatter through the air, chopped in front of point for a single.
Tom Bruce walks in next.
Shadab Khan to Anaru Kitchen. OUT! Stumped! Kitchen departs. This could be a blessing in disguise for the Kiwis as he was putting pressure on Guptill. A loopy leg break, pitched on off. Anaru dances down the track to go big but the ball turns away with good bounce to beat the outside edge. Sarfraz behind the stumps collects and takes the bails off.
Shadab Khan to Anaru Kitchen. Slips in a wide googly, Anaru goes fishing after it and gets beaten.
Faheem Ashraf to Martin Guptill. A bit too straight on the pads, deflected down to fine leg for a brace. 98 needed from 48 balls.
Faheem Ashraf to Martin Guptill. Another dot! Sarfraz Ahmed appreciates this! Short and following the batsman, Martin is cramped for room. Gets beaten on the inside and it goes to the keeper.
Faheem Ashraf to Martin Guptill. Comes forward to a length ball and pushes it back to Ashraf.
Faheem Ashraf to Martin Guptill. FOUR! Using the pace of the bowler! Short ball, a bit wider outside off, Guptill backs away and steers it down to third man for a boundary.
Faheem Ashraf to Anaru Kitchen. Very full on off, drilled towards long off for just a single.
Faheem Ashraf to Martin Guptill. Fuller ball on the pads, clipped through square leg for a single.
Faheem Ashraf comes back into the attack.
Shadab Khan to Martin Guptill. Flatter through the air, pulled wide of long on for a single. 11 off the over.
Shadab Khan to Martin Guptill. Fifty up for Martin Guptill! Goes back to the short ball and punches it square of the wicket on the off side. Yamin in the deep does well to stop it with a slide. They refer it upstairs to see if the fielder made contact with the rope when he had the ball in hand. Nope, he didn't. Just a brace. He holds the key for the Kiwis if they are to win.
Shadab Khan to Martin Guptill. FOUR! Edgedddd but that will do! Shadab bowls another googly, Guptill goes hard at it. Gets it off the edge and beats short third man and backward point for a boundary. Moves to 48 with that one. Brings up 2000 T20I runs. A nice milestone to have.
Shadab Khan to Martin Guptill. A bit flatter around middle and off, punched down to long on. Wants two and gets them comfortably in the end.
Shadab Khan to Martin Guptill. Around middle and leg, worked away towards mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
Shadab Khan to Martin Guptill. Floats it up outside off, it's the googly, Guptill gets down to sweep but misses as the ball turns away.
Aamer Yamin to Martin Guptill. The batsman has played it to the point region. One run added to the total.
Aamer Yamin to Anaru Kitchen. Full on middle, whipped through mid-wicket for a single.
Aamer Yamin to Martin Guptill. Played to the point region by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Aamer Yamin to Martin Guptill. SIX! SLAP! A short ball on middle, Guptill pulls it miles over mid-wicket!
Aamer Yamin to Martin Guptill. WIDE. A bouncer on off, Martin sways away.
Aamer Yamin to Anaru Kitchen. Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a single.
Aamer Yamin to Anaru Kitchen. Landed outside off, Kitchen looks for the pull but misses.
Shadab Khan to Martin Guptill. Wide outside off, left alone.
Shadab Khan to Martin Guptill. Landed outside off, Martin looks to push it through the off side but misses.
Shadab Khan to Martin Guptill. Guptill looks to cut but misses.
Shadab Khan to Martin Guptill. Full and outside off, driven through the covers but straight to the fielder.
Shadab Khan to Anaru Kitchen. A short ball now, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Shadab Khan to Anaru Kitchen. Outside off, Kitchen looks to cut but misses.
Aamer Yamin to Anaru Kitchen. A short ball outside off, pulled towards deep mid-wicket. Did not time it well, else it would have been a wicket.
Aamer Yamin to Anaru Kitchen. A short ball on middle, Anaru looks to pull but misses and is hit on the box.
Aamer Yamin to Anaru Kitchen. A bouncer now, Kitchen ducks.
Aamer Yamin to Anaru Kitchen. Played to the point region by the batsman.
Aamer Yamin to Martin Guptill. A short ball on middle, Guptill pulls it through square leg for a single.
Aamer Yamin to Martin Guptill. Outside off, played straight to point.
Aamer Yamin is back on.
Shadab Khan to Martin Guptill. Landed outside off, perhaps the googly, Martin looks to cut but gets a bottom edge towards short third man.
Shadab Khan to Martin Guptill. Outside off, left alone.
Shadab Khan to Anaru Kitchen. On middle and leg, flicked through the leg side for a run.
Shadab Khan to Anaru Kitchen. Full and outside off, watchfully defended.
Shadab Khan to Martin Guptill. The batsman guides it to third man. One run added to the total.
Shadab Khan to Anaru Kitchen. Full on middle, driven towards mid on for a single.
A box of balls comes out. That was some power by Guptill. Meanwhile, Shadab Khan comes on to bowl.
Faheem Ashraf to Martin Guptill. SIX! SLAM! That has gone into orbit! A length ball on middle, Guptill swings it miles over the sightscreen and clears the ground by some distance! 15 from the over, 135 needed from 84 balls!
Faheem Ashraf to Anaru Kitchen. That ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads. One run added to the total.
Faheem Ashraf to Anaru Kitchen. FOUR! Hello, what's cooking in the kitchen? Three balls, two fours! This is even better than the previous one. Short and outside off, Kitchen punches it behind point and the ball races away!
Faheem Ashraf to Anaru Kitchen. Outside off, punched straight to cover.
Faheem Ashraf to Anaru Kitchen. FOUR! What a start! Short and outside off, Kitchen cuts it through point for a boundary!
Anaru Kitchen is the new man in.
Faheem Ashraf to Kane Williamson. OUT! Finds the man! A short ball outside off, Williamson comes down the track and slashes hard but cannot clear the man inside the ring at cover-point. Simple catch for Babar Azam.
Faheem Ashraf to bowl now.
Mohammad Amir to Martin Guptill. Full on middle, flicked towards mid-wicket.
Mohammad Amir to Martin Guptill. Short and outside off, cut straight to point.
Mohammad Amir to Martin Guptill. The batsman works it down the leg side for a couple.
Mohammad Amir to Martin Guptill. Outside off, Guptill slashes hard but misses.
Mohammad Amir to Kane Williamson. The batsman has played it to the point region. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Mohammad Amir to Martin Guptill. Outside off, pushed towards point for a single.
Rumman Raees to Kane Williamson. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
Rumman Raees to Martin Guptill. Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Rumman Raees to Martin Guptill. SIX! That is why Williamson need not play cheeky shots. This guy is there to play the attacking shots. A short ball on middle and leg, Guptill just pulls it way over square leg!
Rumman Raees to Kane Williamson. On middle and leg, flicked through square leg for a run.
Rumman Raees to Kane Williamson. Not necessary... Williamson gets across his stumps to play a paddle when he does not need to. Raees bowls it on the stumps and luckily for the Kiwis skipper, the ball goes over the stumps. He only needs to bat through... the others can play the cheeky shots.
Rumman Raees to Martin Guptill. Outside off, pushed to the off side for a single.
Mohammad Amir to Martin Guptill. The batsman has played it to the point region. One run added to the total.
Mohammad Amir to Martin Guptill. Full and outside off, pushed straight to cover.
Mohammad Amir to Martin Guptill. SIX! Not in control but maximum result! A short ball on middle, Guptill looks to pull but does so with his eyes closed. The ball flies off the top edge over the backward square leg fence.
Mohammad Amir to Kane Williamson. RUN OUT CHANCE MISSED. What was Williamson thinking? First he pushed the ball towards point and said, 'WAIT ON!' Shadab Khan the man there gets across to his right and fumbles a bit. Now Williamson starts to run and Guptill responds. But that is a suicidal call and halfway through, Williamson gives up. Luckily for him, the throw misses the stumps at the bowler's end. Williamson then indicates a thumbs up to his partner and then shrugs off the call with a smile.
Mohammad Amir to Martin Guptill. On middle and leg, flicked through the leg side for a single.
Mohammad Amir to Martin Guptill. Outside off, played straight to point.
Mohammed Amir into the attack now.
Rumman Raees to Kane Williamson. A short ball on middle and leg, Kane swivels to pull but misses and is hit on the box. For some reason, Sarfraz Ahmed appeals for LBW. What a comeback from Raees after going for 5 runs on his first two balls. 4 dots in a row.
Rumman Raees to Kane Williamson. Punched to cover again.
Rumman Raees to Kane Williamson. Outside off, punched straight to cover.
Rumman Raees to Kane Williamson. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Rumman Raees to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Full and down the leg side, Williamson just eases it past short fine leg and gets a boundary.
Rumman Raees to Martin Guptill. Outside off, punched down the ground for a single.
Rumman Raees to share the new ball with Yamin.
Aamer Yamin to Martin Guptill. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. They pick up a single.
Aamer Yamin to Kane Williamson. Outside off, Williamson looks to run it down to third man but gets hit on the gloves. Manages to dab it down to point for another single.
Aamer Yamin to Martin Guptill. On middle and leg, pushed wide of mid on for a quick one.
Aamer Yamin to Kane Williamson. On middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.
Aamer Yamin to Kane Williamson. Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman.
Aamer Yamin to Martin Guptill. Full on middle, pushed towards mid on for a single.
We are back. Was that even a break? Geez, I could not even complete my coffee. So inhuman, not to even allow the commentators to take a coffee break. But we are professional. Will cover the game and forgo the coffee. Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson are the openers. Aamer Yamin to Guptill first up...