When the two teams stepped onto Hagley Oval, the buzz was all about whether Pakistan could recover from the loss of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. The reality? New Zealand ripped the game apart, winning by a massive 9‑wicket margin in just 10.1 overs.
Pakistan’s top order collapsed immediately. Without Babar’s steady hand and Rizwan’s finishing flair, the innings stumbled at 35 runs for the loss of three wickets. Shahid Afridi’s short stint added a quick 12, but the next few overs were a blur of dot balls and tight edges. Salman Ali Agha tried to steer things back, but the pressure kept mounting, and the scoreboard barely nudged past 50.
By the time they reached 91 all‑out, New Zealand had an easy chase waiting. The Pakistani bowlers did manage a couple of short bursts – Kamran Ghulam bowled a near‑maiden spell, and Shaheen Shah Afridi grabbed a wicket in the death overs – but the damage was already done.
Michael Bracewell, leading the side, gave the batters a clear game plan: start strong, rotate the strike, and attack the loose deliveries. The opening partnership of Finn Allen and Lockie Ferguson set the tone, scoring 30 runs in six balls. Once the big overs arrived, the Kiwis unleashed a barrage of boundaries.
Finch and Bracewell combined for a blistering 63‑run partnership, finishing the chase in just 10.1 overs. Finch’s sixes over the covers and Bracewell’s effortless drives made the field look tiny. The final wicket fell after a mis‑field, and New Zealand walked off the ground with a 9‑wicket victory.
Statistically, the match highlighted New Zealand’s chasing strength at Hagley Oval – they have now won four out of five chases there this season. For Pakistan, the defeat widened the head‑to‑head gap to 23‑20 and raised more questions after their recent Champions Trophy slump.
Looking ahead, Pakistan will need to reshuffle the batting order and find a replacement for the missing stars before the next T20. New Zealand, on the other hand, will aim to keep the momentum and go 2‑0 up in the five‑match series.
If you missed the live action, the highlights are worth a replay. You’ll see the crisp edges, the quick singles, and the sheer confidence of a team that knows how to close out a game fast. Stay tuned to India Daily News 24/7 for more updates, detailed scorecards, and post‑match analysis as the series unfolds.
New Zealand thrashed a Babar- and Rizwan-less Pakistan by 9 wickets in Christchurch, rolling them for 91 and chasing in 10.1 overs. Salman Ali Agha led Pakistan; Michael Bracewell captained the hosts. Hagley Oval’s chasing trend held true as the Kiwis went 1-0 up in the five-match series. The result narrowed Pakistan’s head-to-head edge to 23-20 and deepened questions after their Champions Trophy slump.