PAK vs NZ: Babar Azam reveals reason behind Pakistan’s upset loss
Azam said that Pakistan, who posted 178-4 while batting first, were 10 runs short
Pakistan captain Babar Azam opened up after the defeat against New Zealand in the third T20I of the series on Sunday in Rawalpindi.
Azam said that Pakistan, who posted 178-4 while batting first, were 10 runs short.
“I don't think it [slow run-rate during the middle overs] made much of a difference because we had caught up. You can say we were 10 runs short,” Azam said after the match.
“Unfortunately, we had a bit of a setback with Rizwan [injury] because it wasn't easy for new batsmen but I think Shadab recovered well and had an outstanding partnership with Irfan. In Pindi, 180-190 is a par score. In batting, we did well."
New Zealand made a stunning comeback in the five-match T20I series courtesy of Mark Chapman who led the visitors to victory by seven wickets in the third match at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.
The series is now level at 1-1 with two matches remaining in Lahore. The matches are scheduled on April 25 and 27 at the Gaddafi Stadium.
New Zealand had a great start to the 179-run target with openers Tim Robinson (28) and Tim Seifert (21), scoring 42 runs for the first wicket.
The home side looked to stage a comeback with back-to-back dismissals by Naseem Shah and Abbas Afridi but Chapman, paired with Dean Foxcroft had their plans.
The left-hander was the aggressor in the partnership of 117 runs while Foxcroft supported him brilliantly. Chapman reached his eighth fifty in this format and finished on an unbeaten score of 87. He stroked nine fours and four sixes in his 42-ball innings
Foxcroft made 31 off 29 balls with the chase completing in the 19th over.
Earlier, the hosts started well with Saim Ayub dominating the visitors. The opening duo of Saim and Babar made 54-0. Saim was caught by James Neesham off Ish Sodhi's bowling after scoring 32 runs from 22 balls at a strike rate of 145.45.
Meanwhile, in a 62-run partnership with Irfan Khan, Shadab stroked 41 runs off 20 balls with the help of six boundaries. Irfan finished not-out on 20-ball 30, smashing three fours and a six.
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