Twitter Reactions: Pakistan continue to impress with yet another brilliant show against New Zealand
Malik showed off his experience along with Asif Ali and got the team over the line in a crucial chase after Haris Rauf shined with a four-wicket haul earlier.
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Pakistan have made it two in two to get their T20 World Cup campaign off to a flier. After gunning down India, they have beaten New Zealand, in the end, comfortably with five wickets and more than one over in hand. It was a collective effort with the bat in the chase while the bowlers once again set it up for them earlier in the game.
Earlier, New Zealand huffed and puffed to 134 in their 20 overs with Pakistan raising their level of bowling performance a notch higher. The Kiwi openers Martin Guptill and Daryl Mitchell did well to not give any wicket to their premier pacer Shaheen Afridi early. But the scoring in the powerplay was always an issue. Haris Rauf then came into the attack and stood out as a bowler through the entire innings.
He got the first breakthrough for Pakistan castling Martin Guptill and soon Mitchell also walked back thanks to Imad Wasim’s accurate bowling. James Neesham came out to bat at four but was holed out in the deep while Kane Williamson looked classy during his stay in the middle only to get run-out. A partnership between him and Devon Conway was just flourishing then.
At 90/4 after Williamson’s dismissal, New Zealand didn’t go anywhere in the rest of the innings. Conway hung around for a bit but was unable to up the ante with Pakistan bowlers squeezing the runs. Haris Rauf came back to finish his spell in the death overs and continued his good work from the India game. He ended with the brilliant figures of 4/22 as the Kiwis were restricted to a low total.
Pakistan win despite New Zealand fighting till the end
After the way Pakistan chased down 152 against India, the 135-run chase shouldn’t have been a problem for them. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan seemed to have continued in the same vein after their heroics in the previous game. However, the Kiwis bowled well at them conceding only 28 runs in the first five overs. The pressure got to the Pakistan skipper as he missed a hoick off Tim Southee only to see his stumps shattered.
Fakhar Zaman struggled during his 17-ball stay for just 11 runs and that led to the required run-rate soaring. Rizwan was collecting run calmly at the other end but was pinned in front of the stumps by Ish Sodhi. Mohammad Hafeez also came and went in a flash and at 87/5, New Zealand had come back strongly in the game.
48 runs were needed off the last five overs and two players, Asif Ali and Shoaib Malik, whose selection was questioned ahead of the mega event. The duo showed their experience and worth playing some exceptional shots clearing the long boundaries with utter ease. Malik especially brought all his experience to work keeping calm despite the required rate closing in on 10.
Asif Ali was special as well experiencing probably some of the finest moments of his career in the Pakistan jersey. Despite things going close, Pakistan comfortably won the game in the end with five wickets and 8 balls to spare. They have now defeated two of the toughest teams in their group, India and New Zealand, to almost seal their place in the semis.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
That has to be Asif Ali's finest moments in a #Pakistan shirt #PakvsNz #T20WorldCup
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) October 26, 2021
Asif Ali! 😍😍😍 pic.twitter.com/jd4YxtfyVf
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 26, 2021
There is something different about this #Pakistan team. #T20WorldCup #PAKvNZ
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) October 26, 2021
The lower order of Pak,Asif and Malik, playing their roles to perfection on a slowish wicket. Having said that NZ has a more than decent bowling attack,their fielding also saves them a good 20 runs in the field,perhaps a lift in the batting could make them more formidable.
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) October 26, 2021
Pakistan are looking exceptional .. They will reach the Semis .. all other teams will will hope to avoid them & pray that whoever gets them knocks them out before the final .. Love watching them play Cricket .. #T20WorldCup #Pakistan
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) October 26, 2021
this is why u need experience in the team welldone @AasifAli2018 and @realshoaibmalik bhi good answer for those jin ko lagta tha ap ka impact ni hai team me welldone Pakistan 🇵🇰.
— Mohammad Amir (@iamamirofficial) October 26, 2021
Left Arm Pace 140+ and swing ✅
Right arm 140+ bowler✅
Variation bowler✅
Left arm orthodox✅
Right Arm Wrist Spin and Finger Spin✅
Experience and Youth✅
Six hitting Batting Depth✅
Mix of Right and Left Handers✅Pakistan 11 have all skills that usually a T20 team needs.
— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) October 26, 2021
Both teams played very well end of the day it was Pakistan day. Congratulations to Pakistan cricket team, brilliant bowling @HarisRauf14 Pakistan zindabad 🇵🇰🏏
— Umar Akmal (@Umar96Akmal) October 26, 2021
Pakistan's blazing run continues 🔥#T20WorldCup | #PAKvNZ | https://t.co/tTj0Whv0OD pic.twitter.com/5yKgmDES4t
— ICC (@ICC) October 26, 2021
The fresh wining Selfie #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/YAeVQ98ep3
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) October 26, 2021
What a start to the tournament 2 big Wins… looking strong and got all the options Alhamdulillah but more importantly delivering on the stage 👏👏👏 #PAKvNZ #ICCT20WorldCup2021 @TheRealPCBMedia @TheRealPCB https://t.co/cbNzmXex1a
— Azhar Ali (@AzharAli_) October 26, 2021
Class is permanent👏#PAkvNZ #NewZealand #T20WorldCup #T20WorldCup2021 #Cricket #ShoaibMalik pic.twitter.com/9M4KFdlTar
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) October 26, 2021
With victories over their toughest rivals in their group, that surely puts #Pakistan in pole position to qualify for the semi-finals #T20WorldCup #PAKvNZ
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) October 26, 2021
This is a Superman effort from Conway. pic.twitter.com/6fyei6GHhk
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 26, 2021
Catch of tournament so far. Devon Conway #PakvsNz
— Bazid Khan (@bazidkhan81) October 26, 2021
How good has Imad Wasim been so far for Pakistan? Gave away only 10 runs in 2 overs vs India and 24 in his 4 overs today with one wicket.
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) October 26, 2021
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