In the second T20I of the New Zealand tour of Pakistan 2023,
the hosts got the better of the visitors at the Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.
Batting first, the Men in Green set a target of 193 for the Blackcaps to chase. Pakistan’s batting performance was led by their captain
Babar Azam, who scored an impressive 101 runs off just 58 balls with 11 fours and 3 sixes. Wicketkeeper-batter
Mohammad Rizwan also contributed with 50 runs off 34 balls. For New Zealand,
Matt Henry and
Rachin Ravindra picked up a wicket each.
In reply, the touring side got off to a decent start, but lost wickets at regular intervals. The only standout performance with the bat for the Blackcaps came from
Mark Chapman, who scored 65 runs off 40 balls. The rest of the batting line-up failed to make a significant impact as they finished at 154/7 in their 20 overs.
Haris Rauf was the pick of the Pakistani bowlers, taking four wickets for 27 runs in his four overs.
Shadab Khan and
Imad Wasim also chipped in with a wicket each. The hosts won the match by 38 runs and Babar was named the ‘Player of the Match’ for his impressive century.
“I am very happy with my performance in this match. There was a bit of help for the fast bowlers early on but Rizwan and myself saw that period through, built a partnership and then Iftikhar and myself finished it off. We utilized the last five overs and got to a very good total. Losing wickets back to back is a concern and we will discuss these things, it does put pressure on the batters when you lose wickets in clusters. We have very good fast bowlers and they performed brilliantly,” said Babar after the game.
Here is how Twitter reacted: Star of the show ?
@babarazam258 is the player of the match for his epic ton ??
#PAKvNZ |
#CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/cR8lEg9Asa — Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB)
April 15, 2023
Always special in front of the home crowd. ?
And another solid performance by the boys!
Focus already on Monday now.
pic.twitter.com/EsUQ4ayYjA — Babar Azam (@babarazam258)
April 15, 2023
BABAR AZAM!! Remember the Name. What an Innings, truly a King!! ?
Just look at the balls he faced while moving from a 50 to the big 100. 192, a huge score on the board!! ??
#PAKvNZ — Momin Saqib (@mominsaqib)
April 15, 2023
Babar Azam today:
First 50 runs from 36 balls
Second 50 runs from 22 balls
#PAKvNZ #Cricket — Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket)
April 15, 2023
T20I hundred in 2021
T20I hundred in 2022
T20I hundred in 2023
Babar Azam leading Pakistan from front – becomes the first captain ever to score 3 T20I hundreds – What a player.
pic.twitter.com/Z8ilNi8703 — Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
April 15, 2023
Babar Azam is the greatest batsman Pakistan have ever produced. From 65* off 46 to 101 * off 58. 36 runs in last 12 balls. Whoever thinks Babar Azam isn’t a T20 material, he is either biased or blind.
pic.twitter.com/URGeCzwoUE — KH SAKIB ?? (@Crickettalkss)
April 15, 2023
Man Man Man!!!!
100* Comes For King Babar, Babar Azam Completed His 3rd T20I Century.
pic.twitter.com/TwrUsNkNZx — Nawaz ?? (@Rnawaz31888)
April 15, 2023
Babar azam beat the strike rate and captaincy allegations in the span of 2 days
pic.twitter.com/ESQgnW7Y6h — Haris ?? (@Harixkhanxz)
April 15, 2023
Babar, Zainab and Urooj collectively grilling Babar Azam's critics and strike-rate brigade ?
Keh bhi saktay hain: Babar has literally sent the haters back to their slums ?
#PAKvNZpic.twitter.com/oQiT2NVO8h — Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan)
April 15, 2023
King Babar Azam ???
3rd T20I Century for King Babar Azam take a bow ?
#BabarAzam #BabarAzam? #PAKvNZ #PakvsNz pic.twitter.com/AwJmRHJ9pT — King Babar Azam Army (@kingbabararmy)
April 15, 2023
The crowd in Lahore chant his name…and he delivers! Babar Azam reaches his THIRD T20 international century with a boundary off the final delivery of the innings! The King reigns supreme ?
#PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/rsntobb0On — Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz)
April 15, 2023
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