Pak vs NZ: Pakistan finish with consolation win against New Zealand in Napier

Mohammad Rizwan scored a solid 89 runs and was backed by Mohammad Hafeez’s 41 while Faheem Ashraf led with the bowl

Web Desk

December 22, 2020

New Zealand's Kane Williamson (R) plays a shot as Pakistan's wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan looks on during the second T20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Seddon Park in Hamilton on December 20, 2020. -AFP

In their previous T20I series against Pakistan, the Black Caps had lost 0-3 in UAE in 2018.
Mohammad Hafeez has been the key for Pakistan in the shortest format this year.
Former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed ignored again

NAPIER: Pakistan beat New Zealand by four wickets in the third and final Twenty20 International at Napier on Tuesday.

After winning the toss, Pakistani skipper Shadan Khab opted to bowl first – a change in tactic.

The Green Shirts made three changes to the playing 11 as Hussain Talat, Mohammad Hasnain and Iftikhar Ahmed replaced Abdullah Shafique, Wahab Riaz and Imad Wasim.

Sarfaraz Ahmed, however, was not picked. Speaking to the commentators after the toss, Shadab said many players were facing the New Zealand conditions for the first time. “The young players are definitely learning on this tour.”

The New Zealand side remained unchanged.

Mohammad Rizwan scored a solid 89 runs and was backed by Mohammad Hafeez’s 41 while Khushdil Shah scroed 13 runs.

Faheem Ashraf was the lead wicket-taker with three wickets while Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf got two each.

Squads:

Pakistan: Haider Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Tim Seifert (wk), Kane Williamson (capt), Devon Conway, Glenn Phillips, James Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tim Southee and Trent Boult