The 19th of the ICC T20 world cup 2021 was played between Pakistan vs Newzealand yesterday at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah. Pakistan beat Newzealand by 5 wickets and became the top team on the points table in group 2.
Pakistan won the toss and invited Newzealand to bat first. Kiwi openers Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell made 36 runs partnership. Then Guptill has gone for 17 runs in 20 balls. Skipper Kane Williamson came out and made only 18 runs partnership with Daryl Mitchell. Daryl Mitchell also gone for 27 runs in 20 balls including 1 four and 2 sixes. Jimmy Neesham came out but gone early. Then Devon Conway came out and made 34 runs partnership with Williamson. Devon Conway scored 27 runs in 24 balls including 3 fours. Kane Williamson scored 25 runs in 26 balls including 2 fours and a six. After breaking their partnership others batsman failed to play good innings. And finally Newzealand scored total 134 runs by 8 wickets.
Pakistani bowlers again showed their strength. Pak pacer Haris Rauf picked up 4 wickets for 22 runs in 4 overs. Shaheen Afridi, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez each picked up one wicket.
In reply Pakistan faced trouble after losing skipper Babar Azam's wicket. Babar has gone for only 9 runs then Pakistan continue losing Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan and Imdad Wasim wickets. Pakistan lost total 5 wickets just for scoring 87 runs in 14.5 overs. Mohammad Rizwan scored 33 runs in 34 balls including 5 fours. Asif Ali came out and made unbeaten partnership with Shoaib Malik and chased down the target just in 18.4 overs. Shoaib Malik scored 26 runs in 20 balls including 2 fours and a six. Asif Ali played an aggressive innings and scored 27 runs in 12 balls including a four and 3 sixes.
Kiwi spinner Ish Sodhi picked up two wickets. Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult each took one wicket. Haris Rauf was player of the match for his brilliant bowling performance.