Pakistan VS New Zealand, the top position of group B table is grabbed by New Zealand with three straight wins after they defeated Pakistan by 22 runs. New Zealand became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of World T20 2016, with their third consecutive win while Pakistan’s chances of advancing in the tournament dimmed after two straight defeats.
It looks like that Mike Hesson the coach of the New Zealand has turned pitch reading into an art in this World T20. The stadium of Mohali was flooded with a crowd of 15000, the match started and New Zealand won the toss. Kane Williamson, New Zealand’s captain elected to bat first as he read that the conditions were in his favour.
From the start, New Zealand was off to a superb game with openers Guptill and Kane Williamson showering runs. Guptill innings was more aggressive than Kane Williamson and he gave a rough treatment to the bowlers of Pakistan. Kane Williamson gave Guptill a steady support from the other end as the duo put together a spectacular partnership of 62 runs by eight over.
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(Video Courtesy: ICC)
Irfan out fixed Kane Williamson with a slower delivery and he struck the first blow for Pakistan. Shahid Afridi pulled off the catch as Williamson attempted his drive. Colin Munro came but didn’t last long, Pakistan’s captain Shahid Afridi struck off him in his very first over. But this blow did not affect the run rate of New Zealand, Guptill and Corey Anderson continued to score at a brisk pace. The duo smashed 52 runs between them before Guptill struck the ball onto his stumps while trying to dab an incoming delivery from Sami. In the next over, Anderson also went back to the pavilion but Taylor made sure that the team finished their innings on a strong note.
After their innings New Zealand made a stunning total of 180 runs with the loss of five wickets.
Pakistan’s innings started and Sharjeel Khan gave Pakistan a strong smashing start and the team made a score of 76 runs with the loss of 1 wicket in seven overs. Ish Sodhi came to bowl and he struck out the dangerous looking Shahid Afridi and conceded only 25 runs from his four overs.
Pakistan needed 52 runs to win in 24 balls with six wickets in hand but Umar Akmal and Shoaib Malik failed to perform under pressure and the team failed to touch the chasing score of 180 runs. Pakistan innings was finished on 158 runs as New Zealand stopped Pakistan from entering in the Semi-final with their win.
22 Mar 2016
Avni S. Singh